Objective To develop Z-score reference ranges for tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(TAPSE) in normal fetuses from the measurements of gestational age(GA),biparietal diameter (BPD) or femur length(FL) using fetal echocardiography.Methods A retrospective cross sectional study of 1012 singleton normal fetuses were performed.The gestation age ranged from 20 to 41 weeks.Non-cardiac fetal biometric parameters included GA and BPD and FL were measured and calculated GA based on menstrual age.TAPSE was measured in a standard apical four-chamber view by free angle M-mode echocardiography.Normal Z-score ranges were developed for TAPSE using GA,BPD and FL as independent variables.These were accomplished by using first standard regression analysis and then weighted regression of absolute residual values for each parameter in order to adjust for inconstant variance.Results Linear regression model was the best description of the data in each case and correlations between TASPE and independent variables (GA,BPD,FL) were excellent.Heteroscedasticity of standard deviation (SD) with increasing independent variables also could be modeled with a simple linear regression.According to these equations,TAPSE Z-score =(the actual measurement of TAPSE-predicted TAPSE)/prediction SD.Conclusions Normal reference ranges and Z-scores for TAPSE have been provided.These normative data may be useful tools for assessment of fetal TAPSE,to evaluate fetal right ventricular function more accurately and effectively.

Objective To establish z-score model for fetal tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(FAM-TAPSE) and mitral annular plane systolic excursion(FAM-MAPSE) based on gestational age(GA),then to evaluate the ventricle systolic function of fetus with heart failure.Methods One thousand and twelve normal fetuses and 24 fetuses with heart failure were involved. FAM-TAPSE and FAM-MAPSE were measured by free angle M-mode echocardiography,and FAM-TAPSE and FAM-MAPSE z-score models of normal fetuses were constructed by using first standard regression analysis with GA as independent variable.The fetuses with heart failure were divided into left heart failure (LHF) group and right heart failure (RHF) group by Tei index.Subsequently,the two parameters between normal and fetuses with heart failure were compared. Results The models used to calculate z-score for FAM-TAPSE and FAM-MAPSE were constructed,and GA had close correlation with them. Compared with normal fetuses,the mean z-scores of FAM-TAPSE and FAM-MAPSE were statistically different in fetuses with heart failure(P<0.001). The FAM-MAPSE z-scores of LHF and the FAM-TAPSE z-scores of RHF were all less than-2 z-scores.Conclusions The FAM-TAPSE and FAM-MAPSE z-scores decline in fetuses with heart failure and they can provide quantitative evidence in evaluation of heart systolic function,FAM-TAPSE and FAM-MAPSE z-score would be markers for assessing heart systolic function in fetuses with heart failure.

Objective To obtain the annular plane systolic excursion difference (APSED)of fetuses in second and late trimester by free angle M-mode (FAM)and tissue motion of annular displacement (TMAD)in order to assess the fetal ventricular function.Methods The mitral annular plane systolic excursion(MAPSE)and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(TAPSE)of four hundred and fifty five normal fetuses from 20 to 41 weeks were measured by FAM echocardiography,and the difference between them were calculated.Early diastolic velocities (Em)of the mitral annular and early diastolic velocities (Em')of the tricuspid annular were estimated by pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging (TDI),meanwhile systolic velocities (Sm)of the mitral annular and systolic velocities (Sm')of the tricuspid annular were also estimated by TDI.Fifty normal fetuses in the second and late trimester were choosed randomly,two-dimension imaging was obtained at the apical four-chamber view,then mitral annular plane and tricuspid annular plane displacement curve were acquired at the same time by using off-line QLab 8.1 software,and the differences in the peak time between them were compared.The trace of annular displacement were recorded by color tissue tracking technology.Results There was a significant difference between FAM-TAPSE and FAM-MAPSE in different gestational weeks (P <0.05),FAM-TAPSE was growing with the increase of gestational weeks,FAM-APSED showed significant positive correlations with gestational week, Em,Sm,Em' and Sm'.Annular plane displacement curve showed that TMAD-TAPSE was higher than TMAD-MAPSE in the entire cardiac cycle,and there was no statistically significant difference in time to peak of the annular plane displacement curve between them(P >0.05).Conclusions The APSED existed in the second and late trimester continually.It was considering associated with fetal ventricular torsion.As the growth of gestational weeks,the increase of APSED reflected the enhanced reserve capacity of the fetal ventricular torsion.APSED can reflect the longitudinal motion and torsion movement of fetal ventricle quantitatively,and can be used as a new index to assess the fetal cardiac function.

Objective To discuss the effect of Yifei Mixture (YFM) on quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at stable phase. Methods Sixty patients with COPD were randomly divided into the control group with small dose Aminophylline Sustained-release Tablets and inhaling Salbutamol or becotide (30 cases), and the observation group with YFM 100 mL, po, Bid (30 cases). Results There was significant statistical differences between the two groups, which shows that the observation group was superior to the control group in amelioration of syndrome, pulmonary function, the times of hospitalization yearlong days, single hospitalization and the integration of SGRQ. Conclusion YFM can slow down the progression of COPD, reduce the time of hospitalization and improve quality of life.

Objective To explore clinical significance of constriction of fetal ductus arteriosus diagnosed by echocardiography.Methods Seventy-one cases with constriction of fetal ductus arteriosus (DA) and one fetus with premature closure of DA were detected by fetal echocardiography among 2380 singleton fetuses.The echocardiographic characteristics and clinical outcomes were reviewed and analyzed.Results Of 71 cases with constriction of fetal DA,58 cases were found with right heart enlargement,12 cases with tricuspid regurgitation,8 cases with arrhythmia and 1 case with pericardial effusion.The echocardiographic characteristics showed narrowed diameter of DA,dilatation of pulmonary artery and descending aorta was also noted,DA was markedly curved.The peak systolic velocity(PSV) and enddiastolic velocity(EDV) in the ductus arteriosus measured by pulsed Doppler echocardiography increased (PSV≥ 180 cm/s,EDV≥35 cm/s).All cases were confirmed normal by neonate echocardiography.Conclusions Prenatal echocardiography plays important role in diagnosis of constriction of fetal DA.Early diagnosis and intimate follow-up can direct clinician to offer suitable consultation for parents and management for fetuses.

Objective To investigate the correlation between high myopia and MMP-2 in aqueous humor (AH), by comparing the protein level of MMP-2 in AH from patients with cataract combined with high myopia and with emmetropia. Design Experimental study. Participants 30 AH samples of patients with age-related cataract. Methods AH samples were collected from the patients with age-related cataract during phacoemulsification, including 15 AH samples from patients combined with high myopia (experimental group) and 15 AH samples from patients with emmetropia (control group). The expression of pro-MMP-2 and MMP-2 in AH were ana-lyzed by Western blot technique. Main Outcome Measures The gray value of MMP-2 protein band detected by Western blot. Results The level of pro MMP-2 was statistically higher than that of MMP-2 in experimental group (430.4±57.3 versus 294.5±35.2, t=10.400, P= 0.000) and control group (402.8±57.7 versus 280.3±49.7, t=8.400, P=0.000). There was no statistically difference in the level of pro-MMP-2(t=1.320, P=0.200)and MMP-2 (t=0.900,P=0.375) between the two groups. Conclusions No abnormal expression of MMP-2 was detected in AH from patients with high myopia, according to this study based on limited samples. Pro-MMP-2 was the main form of MMP-2 in AH of patients with cataract combined with high myopia or emmetropia, which possessed potential ability of transferring into form of active MMP-2. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2009, 18: 260-264)

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To establish the insulin resistance rat model for evaluating the correlation of omentin-1 level and insulin resistance.METHODS: SPF male Wistar rats ( n =30 ) were randomly divided into normal control group (NC, n=15) and high-fat diet group (HF, n=15).The rats in NC group were fed with basic diet.The insulin resistant model was established by feeding the rats with high-fat diet in HF group.After 10 weeks, 5 rats in each group were as-sessed by the technique of hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp.After the insulin resistant model was successfully estab-lished, the body weight and fasting blood glucose were detected.The concentration of fasting serum omentin-1 was analyzed by ELISA.Fasting serum insulin was measured by radioimmunoassay.RESULTS: No difference of fasting blood glucose between the 2 groups was observed.The level of fasting serum insulin in HF group was significantly higher than that in NC group ( P <0.05 ) .The level of serum omentin-1 in HF group were significantly decreased compared with NC group (P<0.01).Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that negative correlations between serum omentin-1 and fasting serum insulin (r=-0.654,P<0.01), serum omentin-1 and free fatty acid (r=-0.446, P<0.05) was found.CONCLU-SION:In rats, serum omentin-1 level began to decrease at insulin resistance stage.As serum omentin-1 level decreased, the basal insulin level increased, indicating that decreased serum omentin-1 level may be an early factor of IR, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Objective To systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Articles were searched from databases, i.e., CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, CBM, Embase, and PubMed. Articles about RCT on acupuncture and moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis and traditional medicine therapy were under meta-analysis. Results Totally 24 articles involving 2006 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis indicated that the overall effective rate of treatment in the group receiving acupuncture and moxibustion was higher than that in the drug group, with statistical significance [OR=2.73, 95%CI (2.18, 3.41), Z=8.78, P<0.000 01]. Sub-group analysis showed that:acupuncture and moxibustion showed statistical significance in decreasing serum RF levels compared with drug therapy [MD=-2.92, 95%CI (-5.60, -0.25), P<0.05]. Acupuncture and moxibustion showed statistical significance in decreasing serum ESR levels compared with drug therapy [MD=-2.99, 95%CI (-4.78, -1.21), P<0.05]. Acupuncture and moxibustion showed statistical significance in decreasing serum CPR levels compared with drug therapy [MD=-1.44, 95%CI (-2.44, -0.44), P <0.05]. Conclusion The overall effective rates of acupuncture and moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis and the decreasing levels of RF, ESR, CRP are superior to drug therapy, but it still needs larger samples, multi-center, and high quality RCT to verify.

ObjectiveTo assess myocardial perfusion by the end-systolic and end-diastolic replenishment parameters of real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE).MethodsTwenty-one patients with myocardial infarction(MI) and normal control group of 6 cases underwent intravenous realtime myocardial contrast echocardiography via slow and homogeneous venous injections of SonoVue.MCE images were obtained from the apical 4-chamber,2-chamber,and long-axis views.According to the exponential function:y(t) =A [1 - e-kt] + B,the time intensity curves were obtained.By an off-line ECG triggering and curve fitting,the replenishment parameters A value,k value,A × k value were obtained separately from end-systolic and end-diastolic images.ResultsIn normal control group,the end-systolic replenishment parameters A value,k value,A × k value were all lower than that of the end-diastolic replenishment parameters[(6.21 ± 2.69)dB vs (7.93 ± 3.66)dB,P ＜0.05；0.36 ± 0.15 vs 0.42 ± 0.19,P ＜ 0.01 ;2.88 ± 1.29 vs 3.39 ± 1.61,P ＜0.05,respectively].The end-diastolic replenishment parameters were found significantly greater variability than the end-systolic values (variation coefficient CV:A value 46.2％ vs 43.3％,k value 45.2％ vs 41.4％,A× k value 47.5％ vs 44.8％,all P ＜0.05).In 21 patients,the end-systolic replenishment parameters in myocardial segments supplied by infarct-related coronary artery were significantly lower than that in myocardial segments supplied by non - infarct - related coronary artery.ConclusionsThe end-systolic and end-diastolic replenishment parameters of real time myocardial contrast echocardiography can assess myocardial perfusion.The variability of the end-systolic replenishment parameters is smaller than that of the end diastolic parameters.Significant variability in k-value suggests that this parameter is best suited for before-after study in the same patient.

Objective To study the anatomical characteristic of nanophthalmos with ultrasonography and its clinical significance. Methods Forty-four nanophthalmic eyes (22 patients) and 200 normal eyes (100 persons) were included. A series of ocular parameters, including ocular axial length, angle between trabeculum and iris,thickness of lens and sclera.and vitreous cavity length were measured with ultrasound A-scan and ultrasound biomicroscopy. The refractive status was examined with dioptometry. Results The ocular axial length[(15. 95±0. 76)mm] and vitreous cavity length [(8. 48±0. 90)mm] were shorter, the lens [(4. 9±0. 53)mm] and sclera [(0. 917±0. 119)mm] were thicker in nanophthalmic eyes than those of normal eyes( P <0.01). The relative position of lens (0.312±0.09) was more forward, and the angle between trabeculum and iris (11. 41 ±7. 63 ) was narrower in nanophthalmic eyes, compared with normal eyes( P <0. 01). The hyperopia of nanophthalmic eyes was negatively correlated with the ocular axial length ( r = -0.806) and vitreous cavity length ( r = - 0. 663) ( P <0. 01). Conclusions Nanophthalmos was characterized by short ocular axial length, thick lens and sclera.and narrow anterior chamber angle. The thickness of sclera and the angle between trabeculum and iris measured with ultrasound biomicroscopy could provide a solid indication of the treatment to the complication of angle closure glaucoma.