Objective Calcification and graft failure may occur in aortic valved homografting as a result of immune rejection. This study was designed to examine the effects of immunosuppression in reducing immune rejection response and preventing calcification in rat aortic valved homograft(AVH). Methods Animals were randomly assigned into 3 test groups and 1 control group. SD-Wistar rats in the test groups received AVH of cryopreservation (group A), received AVH of cryopreservation followed by CsA treatment (group B), and received AVH preconditioned with monoclonal antibody against dendritic cells (DcmAb) diluted in 1:5 and cryopreserved then were treated with DcmAb postoperatively (group C), respectively. Rats in the control group(group D) were Wistar→Wistar.Rat AVH with myocardial cuff were transplanted into the abdominal aorta of rats. The rats were sacrificed in batchs at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks postoperatively. Blood samples were obzained for detecting the expression of TCR-αβ, CD28. The AVH specimens were obtained for observing the change of endotheliocyte and smooth muscle cells with light and electron microscopes. At the same time, calcium contents of AVH tissues after transplantation were measured. Results As compared with the control group, the expression of TCR-αβ and CD28 in test groups was increased significantly at each time point(P<0.01) and reached peaks 2 to 4 weeks after operation, then gradually reduced and was closed to the level of controls at 12 weeks. Calcium contents of AVH tissues in the test groups was increased gradually since 4 weeks and reached the peak 12 to 16 weeks after operation. No significant difference in calcium level was found in the control group over 5 different periods (P>0.05). Calcium contents of AVH tissues at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively were (2856±79)μg/g and (3587±168)μg/g in the groups with cryopreservation;(2518±73)μg/g,(3237±187)μg/g in the CsA treatment group;(2176±210)μg/g, (3089±176)μg/g in the DCmAb treatment group; (860±60) μg/g, (870±50) μg/gin the control group. Conclusion The immunosuppressive treatment had substantial effects on AVH calcification as a result of reduction in immune rejection response and delay in the development of calcification.

Objectives:To study the pathological behavior and the value of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) in predicting prognosis in pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital heart disease.　Methods:Lung tissues from 29 patients with congenital heart diseases associated with pulmonary hypertension were examined by surgical biopsy of the lung. All samples were examined for the expression and localization of TGF-β1 by immunohistochemical technique with anti-TGF-β1 antibody.　Results:Twenty-six out of 29 showed positive staining of intracellular endotheliocyte TGF-β1(89.65%),16 samples showed extracellular matrix TGF-β1 staining(55.17%).Statistically, there was significant difference between Ⅰ～Ⅱ and Ⅲ～Ⅵ pathological degrees in extracellular matrix(P<0.05).　Conclusions: TGF-β1 plays an important biological role in the formation of pulmonary hypertension after congenital heart disease. It is conductive in predicting prognosis.

Objective This study was designed to evaluate the effect of obesity on late survival after aortic valve replacement(AVR) in patients with implantation of small aortic prosthesis(size≤21).Methods From January 1998 through December 2008,307 patients in a single center in china underwent primary AVR with smaller prosthesis survive the 30 days of surgery.Patients were defined as normal if body mass index (BM1) ＜ 24.0 kg/m2,as overweight if BMI 24.0-27.9 kg/m2,and as obesity if BMI≥28.0 kg/m2.Data of New York Heart Association(NYHA) Functional class,effective orifice area index (EOAI),left ventricular mass index(LVMI),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) were got at the 3rd month(M),6th M,1 st year(Y),3rd Y,5th Y,8th Y after operation respectively.Results At multivariable analysis,obesity was independent factor of later mortality [hazard ratio (HR):1.62 ; P =0.01].Obesity group and overweight group had poor survival (P ＜0.001)and higher proportion of NYHA Function Ⅲ/Ⅳ (P ＜ 0.01) in long-term compared to normal group.EOAI were lower and LVMI were higher in obesity group and overweight group,but LVEF have no significant difference.Conclusion Obesity is associated with increased late mortality after AVR in patients with implantation of small aortic prosthesis.Obesity and overweight may also affect the NYHA function in long term.EOAI should be improved where possible as it may reduce late mortality and improve life quality in such patients.

Objective:To assess the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of fetal isomerism syndrome in the first trimester.Methods:Sonographic features of 15 fetuses with isomerism syndrome diagnosed in the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January 2015 to March 2020 were reviewed. Ultrasonic characteristics in the first trimester were analyzed, and the ultrasonic characteristics of early mid-trimester and pathological anatomical results were combined for comparison.Results:There were 6 cases of left isomerism syndrome (LIS) and 9 cases of right isomerism syndrome (RIS) in the 15 fetues.Increased nuchal translucency(NT) (≥3.0 mm, 6 cases), reversed A wave in ductus venosus (10 cases), and atrio-ventricular valve regurgitation (14 cases) were found during the first trimester. There were 14 cases with abnormal visceral laterality. Of the 15 fetues, 14 cases with cardiac malformations, including 6 cases of functional single ventricle, 8 cases of complete atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD), and 12 cases with great artery abnormalities. All of the 6 LIS cases had bradycardia, 3 cases had interruption of inferior vena cava (IVC). Six cases of RIS had juxtaposition of descending aorta and IVC, and 1 case of RIS had total anomalous pulmonary vein drainage. The major structural malformations were consistent with the early mid-trimester ultrasound examination or autopsy. Karyotype and chromosomal microarray were available in 12 cases and all were normal.Conclusions:Isomerism syndrome has high positive rate of fetal aneuploidies ultrasonographic marker, especially with the atrio-ventricular valve regurgitation, but the risk of chromosome abnormality is low. Ultrasound screening for fetal cardiac structural abnormalities is beneficial to the early diagnosis of isomerism syndrom in the first trimester.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and prognosis of prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of fetal isolated vascular ring at 11-13 + 6 weeks. Methods:A total of 36 996 fetuses were selected to compare the results of ultrasound screening at 11-13 + 6 weeks and 20-24 weeks of pregnancy in Guangxi Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital from January 2016 to January 2020, the reasons for missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of fetal isolated vascular ring by ultrasonography in the first trimester were summarized. Results:Thirty-five cases were diagnosed as isolated vascular ring in the first trimester, including 19 cases right aortic arch combined with aberrant left subclavian artery with "U-shaped" vascular ring, 7 cases double aortic arch with "O-shaped" vascular ring, and 9 cases aberrant right subclavian artery with "C-shaped" vascular ring. While 155 cases were diagnosed as isolated vascular ring at 20-24 weeks of pregnancy, consisting of 18 cases of combined with aberrant left subclavian artery, 9 cases of double aortic arch, 126 cases of aberrant right subclavian artery and 2 cases of pulmonary artery sling, the diagnosis coincidence rates were 94.74%, 77.78%, 7.14%, 0(Kappa value were 0.97, 0.88, 0.13, 0). For the diagnosis of right aortic arch combined with aberrant left subclavian artery, double aortic arch and aberrant right subclavian artery in the first trimester, the specificities were 99.99%, 100%, 100%, the sensitivities were 100%, 77.78%, 7.14%, the false-positive rates were 0.01%, 0, 0, the false-negative rates were 0, 22.22%, 92.86%, and the Youden′s indices were 0.99, 0.78, 0.07.Conclusions:Right aortic arch combined with aberrant left subclavian artery and double aortic arch have high coincidence rate by ultrasonography in the first trimester, while the diagnostic coincidence rate of isolated aberrant right subclavian artery was low. Ultrasound screening for isolated vascular ring in the first trimester still needs ultrasound examination in the second trimester to exclude the minor cardiac malformations that are difficult to diagnose in the first trimester.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of the ratio of the fetal cardiac diameter to biparietal diameter( CBR) as a predictor of homozygous α-thalassemia-1 . Methods Single mid-pregnancies ( 15-22weeks) at risk of homozygous α-thalassemia-1 were enrolled . A total of 251 singleton pregnancies were recruited ,in which 63 cases were homozygous α-thalassemia-1 fetuses and the rest were unaffected . The CBR and cardiothoracic ratio(CTR) were measured by two-dimensional ultrasound . Then the accuracy of these variables were analyzed and compared with each other by ROC curves . Results ①The CBR and CTR in affected fetuses were significantly higher than those in the unaffected( P ＜0 .01) . ②With CBR＞0 .43 and CTR ＞ 0 .52 as the best cut off values ,the sensitivity and specificity of predicting homozygous α-thalassemia-1 fetuses in 15-22 gestational weeks were 95 .74% , 92 .06% and 94 .15% , 85 .71% , respectively ;the area under ROC curve were compared with Z test and there was no significant difference between them ( Z ＝ 1 .500 , P ＝ 0 .1335) . ③ When CBR and CTR were combined ,the sensitivity and specificity of the prediction were significantly increased ( the sensitivity of series experiment : 99 .75% ,the specificity of parallel experiment : 98 .87% ) . Conclusions CBR is a novel , effective and noninvasive predictor of homozygous α-thalassemia-1 in mid-pregnancy whose prediction efficiency is the same as traditional CTR . The measurement of CBR is easier to standardize and is not affected by thoracic lesions such as pleural cavity ,pericardial effusion and skeletal dysplasia . If combined with CTR ,it may play an important role in improving the prenatal detection rate of homozygous α-thalassemia-1 fetuses .

Objective:To explore the values of Z-scores of fetal heart circumference (HC) and heart area (HA) in prediction of homozygous α-thalassemia.Methods:From February 2014 to March 2019, 233 fetuses of 15 to 23 gestation weeks with risk of homozygous α-thalassemia were examined by prenatal ultrasound in the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. HC, HA and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) were measured. HC and HA were converted into Z-scores, respectively. The ROC curves were established and analyzed based on HC Z-score, HA Z-score or CTR respectively to compare their predicting efficacies for fetal homozygous α-thalassemia. Finally, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were obtained by the best cutoff values.Results:①Sixty-five fetuses were diagnosed as homozygous α-thalassemia and classified as α-thalassemia group. One hundred and sixty-eight fetuses were mild and normal and were classified as control group. ②HC Z-score, HA Z-score and CTR in the α-thalassemia group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( P<0.001). ③The area under ROC curve of HA Z-score was the largest compared with HC Z-score and CTR, and the prediction efficacy was the highest ( Z test=2.144 and 2.517 respectively, P<0.05). ④The best cutoff values were HC Z-score>1.67, HA Z-score>2.06 and CTR>0.53. Sensitivities of predicting homozygous α-thalassemia in 15 to 23 gestation weeks were 92.31%, 100% and 89.23%, respectively. Specificities were 94.05%, 95.83% and 93.45%, respectively. Positive predictive values were 84.43%, 89.00% and 84.05%, respectively. Negative predictive values were 96.91%, 100% and 95.57%, respectively. Conclusions:Fetal heart HC Z-score and HA Z-score are safe and effective novel ultrasonic indexes for predicting homozygous α-thalassemia. Especially compared with traditional CTR, HA Z-score has a significantly higher predicting efficacy, which can improve the detection rate of homozygous α-thalassemia and reduce the need for invasive examination.

Objective:To construct Z-score ranges for normal fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity(MCA-PSV).Methods:From May 2017 to October 2019, 865 normal singleton fetuses of 10th to 40th gestational weeks underwent prenatal ultrasound in the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Using fetal biometric parameters as independent variables, and measurement of MCA-PSV on standard section as dependent variables, the regression analyses of the mean(M) and the standard deviation(SD) for each parameter were calculated separately and then the best fitting equation was selected. A group of diseases which might cause the abnormal MCA-PSV were assessed using these standards.Results:①Strong correlations were found between MCA-PSV and fetal biometric parameters ( r=0.935-0.939, P<0.001). ②Quadratic or cubic regression equations were fitted to the models of the means of the MCA-PSV, whereas linear equations were fitted to the SDs. ③In these case groups, intrauterine growth restriction, severe preeclampsia, intrauterine infection and homozygous α-thalassemia-1 demonstrated Z-score>2 reflective of increased MCA-PSV with varying degrees, especially with the homozygous α-thalassemia-1 fetus being the most significant (17/20, 85%). Conclusions:The calculation of Z-score for MCA-PSV as a function of fetal biometric parameters is intuitive and simple, it can be used as an important indicator especially for homozygous α-thalassemia-1.

Objective:To establish the normal reference range of the ratio of fetal umbilical venous flow rate to umbilical artery pulsatility index (VAI).Methods:A total of 816 normal fetuses underwent prenatal examination and delivery were randomly selected from October 2018 to December 2020 in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Fetal weight was obtained by measuring fetal biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femoral length.Umbilical venous flow (Quv) was measured. Umbilical artery pulsatility index (UA-PI) was obtained in the free segment of amniotic fluid. Quv was standardized according to fetal size to calculate the umbilical venous flow rate (nQuv) and VAI. The association between Quv, nQuv, UA-PI, VAI and the fetal gestational week were analyzed using correlation analysis. VAI was presented as ± s, the upper limit of 95% reference value and the lower limit of 5% reference value were taken as the standards of VAI increase and decrease, respectively. Twenty-six fetuses whose VAI were lower than limit of 5% and 20 fetuse whose VAI were than limit of 95% were chosed as the case group. Results:①Fetal Quv was positively correlated with gestational week ( r=0.893, P<0.001), nQuv and UA-PI were negatively correlated with gestational week ( r=-0.552, -0.827; all P<0.001), and VAI had no significant correlation with gestational week ( r=0.000, P=0.758); ②The mean, standard deviation, lower 5% reference value, and upper 95% reference value of VAI were 195.81, 55.61, 105.95, and 293.33, respectively; ③In the cases with abnormal VAI, 26 fetuses with reduced VAI, of whom there were 16 cases of maternal hypertension, and 13 cases complicated by severe preeclampsia; 1 case with 40 turns of umbilical cord torsion, 3 cases of stillbirth, 16 cases of preterm delivery, 19 cases of low neonatal birth body weight, 4 cases of 1-min Apgar score ≤7, 6 cases of umbilical artery blood pH<7.2, and 1 case without abnormalities in fetus during pregnancy and follow-up newborn. Among the 20 fetuses with increased VAI, there were 10 cases of fetal severe thalassemia, 2 cases of thalassemia, 1 case of sacrococcygeal teratoma, 1 case of portal venous shunt, 3 cases of placental chorioangioma, and 3 cases without abnormalities in fetus during pregnancy and follow-up newborn. Conclusions:The measurement and calculation of fetal VAI is simple and easy to perform. As a comprehensive index, fetal VAI remains constant in mid and late pregnancy, facilitates the follow-up of abnormal fetuses, and has potential clinical application.

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.