Objective To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) in assessment of left atrial appendage(LAA) function. Methods Forty-two atrial fibrillation patients underwent real-time three-dimensional TEE. LAA ejection fraction based on two-dimensional area measurements(EFA-2D), three-dimensional area measurements(EFA-3D) and three-dimensional volume measurements(EFv-3D) were calculated and related to LAA peak empty velocity (PEV). The variability within observer and interobserver were tested. Results EFA-2D was significantly higher than EFA-3D[(62.84 ± 17.27)% vs (45.39 ± 16.58)%, P = 0.000] and EFv-3D [( 62.84 ±17.27) % vs (48.35 ± 19.37) %, P = 0.001 ], whereas EFA-3D and EFv-3D had no significant difference ( P = 0.158). In a simple linear correlation,the degree of association between EFv-3D and PEV was higher as between EFA-3D and PEV ( r = 0.662 vs 0.604,both P ＜0.05). No significant correlation was observed between EFA-2D and PEV ( r = 0.529, P = 0.130). Variabilities within observer and interobserver were no significant differences by the three methods( P ＞0.05). Conclusions LAA ejection fraction calculation by real-time three-dimensional TEE is feasible and more accurate than by 2D TEE.

Background and purpose:Overexpression of inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2 A-2 (I2PP2A) in many tumors including gastric cancer suggests that I2PP2A may contribute to the development of gastric cancer. To further study the biological function of I2PP2A and its role in gastric cancer, we established a BGC823 cell line for stable expression of shRNA targeting human I2PP2A gene. Methods: A double-stranded shRNA targeting the I2PP2A was designed, synthesized and was inserted into a lentivirus vector (pGLV2), and the insertion was identiifed by restriction endonuclease analysis and DNA sequencing. BGC823 cells were then transfected with the packaged recombinant lentivirus, and resistant cell clones were selected with puromycin. The expression of I2PP2A was examined using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Results:Sequencing result proved that recombinant lentivirus vector pGLV2-shRNA-I2PP2A was constructed correctly. RT-PCR and Western blot results conifrmed that the expression of I2PP2A was signiifcantly down-regulated in this infected BGC823 cell line. The efifciency of siRNA interference of I2PP2A could be up to about 90%. Conclusion:A lentiviral vector carrying a shRNA targeting the I2PP2A gene is successfully constructed, and a BGC823 cell line stably expressing I2PP2A shRNA is established with this lentiviral system.

Objective To explore the relationship between the soil components along the areas of the east route of the South?to?North Water Diversion Project and the survival situation of Oncomelania hupensis snails. Methods Four study sites were se?lected along the project,and soil samples were collected to analyze the components. The amounts of components among the dif?ferent study sites were compared statistically. Results Except zinc,sodium,and phosphorus,the contents of the soil compo?nents where the snails survived were different from those where snails were dead(t=-19.150 to 12.810,all P<0.01). Howev?er,the logistic regression analysis did not obtain a model with statistical significance. Conclusions O. hupensis snails live in the soil with adequate organic matter and neutral pH value. Along with the global warming and the operation of the South?to?North Water Diversion Project,O. hupensis snails may survive in the northern area,and therefore,the surveillance work should be strengthened.

Objective To investigate the imaging findings of giant cell glioblastoma(GCG).Methods Imaging findings of 8 cases with pathology-confirmed GCG were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with pathologic findings.Results All of the 8 cases were located in the cerebral hemisphere.On CT images, 1 lesion case was shown appeared as mixed density,4 lesions were shown as cystic and solid mass.Mural nodule were slightly hyperdense.On MRI images, all of 4 cases lesions were hypointensity on T1WI, mixed signal intensity or hyperintensity on T2WI and FLAIR, low signal intensity on DWI.The lesion showed nonuniform enhancement,with enhanced mural nodules and cyst walls,and mildmoderate or no peritumoral edema.Microscopically, the cells were arranged in perivascular pseudorosettes to form palisades.Cellular pleomorphism was a typical feature, including monstrous and multinucleated giant cells.Mitotic figures were usually numerous.Reticulin was abundant in the stroma.Immunohistochemistry showed staining for S-100, Vim, p53, GFAP.The proliferation rate determined by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry was 30%.Conclusion GCG has certain imaging characteristics,CT and MRI are effective in detecting the disease.

BACKGROUND:Until now, it is stil unclear whether the stem cel transplantation triggersadverse effects on the myocardial electrical activity, resulting in the emergence of arrhythmia.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of intracoronary transplantation of umbilical cord blood stem cels on arrhythmia score and incidence of ventricular arrhythmia.
METHODS:According to therapeutic strategies, 73patients with coronary heart disease were assigned to receive drug therapy in control group (n=38) and umbilical cord blood stem cel transplantation in observation group (n=35). Arrhythmia score, incidence of ventricular arrhythmia and adverse reactions were recorded and analyzed before and 1, 4, 8 weeks after transplantation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After treatment, arrhythmia scores were significantly reduced in the two groups, especialy in the observation group, to exhibit a continuous decline trend (P< 0.05). Compared with the control group, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia was significantly lower in the observation (P< 0.05). However, there were no significant changes in the blood pressure, heart rate and blood oxygen saturation before and after transplantation, and no acute heart failure and death occurred in thetwo groups. These results suggest that the intracoronary transplantation of umbilical cord blood stem cels exhibits superiorities in the treatment of coronary artery disease, significantly reducing the arrhythmia score, reducing the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia, and resulting in less adverse reactions.

Objective To understand the achievements of clonorchiasis sinensis control in Shandong Province during the past forty years. Methods The data of the previous annual clonorchiasis sinensis investigation in Shandong Province were collected and analyzed. Results From 1960s to 1970s, there were 107 counties existing the prevalence of clonorchiasis sinensis in Shandong Province. The infection rate of population was 1.51%, and 85.70% of the infected people were children below fifteen years old. Through the forty years' control, the decreasing of intermediate hosts such as various kinds of fishes and water-snails due to 85. 00% of ditches and ponds dried up by the lasting drying weather after 1980s, and 90. 00% of rivers polluted by increasing liquid waste, as well as the decreasing of infective chances due to 97. 90% of people breaking off the habit of eating not-well-cooked fishes by popularizing health knowledge, to 2003, the population infection rate dropped to 0.04%, 95.60% of the village where residents had the infection dropped to below 1. 00% , and 60. 00% of counties where no Clonorchis sinensis infection was found. Conclusion The clonorchiasis sinensis transmission areas reduce gradually, the infection rate of population decreases to the lowest in the history and the transmission has been controlled in Shandong Province.

Objective To observe clinical significance、anatomy and variation of normal internal cerebral veins and their tributa-ries.Methods The studies included 284 sides in 142 patients.The patients were performed with 320-detector Row CT One-stop Scanning.Then,the anatomical features of internal cerebral veins and their tributaries were evaluated.Results The detection rate of internal cerebral veins(ICA)、thalamostriate veins(TSV)、septal veins(SV)、anterior caudate nucleus veins、posterior caudate nucleus veins and lateral direct veins was 100%、100%、98.9%、95.4%、93.7%、48.6%.Type of IA was seen frequently in four types of ICA,the parts of ICV and their tributaries were mirror symmetry,the majorities of ICA were located the same plane.Anterior cau-date nucleus veins were classified four types on basis of these different draining patterns,they were drained to TSV commonly.There was no significant difference between venous angle or false venous angle and type of their draining(P>0.05).There was significant difference between detection rate of lateral direct veins and development of posterior caudate nucleus veins(P<0.05).Conclusion 320-detector Row CT One-stop Scanning was an important method that internal cerebral veins were detected effectively and non-inva-sively,observed anatomy,course and morphological change of ICV.

This paper reports one case of atypical falciparum malaria imported from Africa,whose blood smear contains many large trophozoites,with punctiform or massive brown pigment granules,the body shape of the plasmodium is similar to that of Plas-modium vivax and Plasmodium ovale. After the gene detection by PCR,the case was diagnosed as falciparum malaria. As large tro-phozoites were rarely seen in the peripheral blood of non-severe falciparum malaria cases,much attention should be paid to the identification of Plasmodium falciparum and other plasmodia in microscopic examinations.

Objective To explore the CT manifestations of primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of adrenal gland,aiming to increase the cognition on this disease.Methods The CT manifestations of 7 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with adrenal gland PNET were analyzed retrospectively.Results The age of patients was 24-63 years old,with average age of (47.6±13.7) years,including 6 females and 1 male.Location of PNET:4 in left adrenal gland and 3 in right adrenal gland.Clinical manifestations:3 cases had upper abdominal distension,2 cases suffered from pain of waist and back,1 case was discovered in physical examination and another 1 had fever.No abnormality was found in laboratory and endocrinological examinations.After operation,4 cases had recurrence and 2 had distant metastasis.During follow-up,6 patients died and only 1 still alive.CT showed that the tumor,whose maximum diameter was 10.1-19.4 cm,was elliptic or lobulated in shape.The tumor was clear in boundary in 2 patients,but was unclear in boundary and involved adjacent organs in 5 patients.The plain scanning showed equidensity or slightly low density,complicated with necrosis and cystic lesions without calcification.The enhanced scanning suggested progressive uneven enhancement,with multiple interatrial septum-like changes and latticed enhancement inside.Conclusion CT manifestations of adrenal gland PNET can prompt the diagnosis,pathological examination is still required for confirmation.CT can accurately describe the internal structures,adjacent relationship and the metastasis of tumors.

The aberrant epigenetic reprogramme is an important cause for abnormal development of nuclear transfer embryos. The objective of this study was to investigate the CpG island methylation profiles and relative expression levels of H19 gene in different tissues of cloned goat fetus. We detected liver, placenta, kidney, lung and heart in the dead cloned goat fetus and the age-matched normal goat fetus (control) by using bisulfite sequencing and real time PCR. Results indicated that methylation levels of the fifth CpG island of H19 gene in dead cloned goat fetus was significant high compared with that in the control in placenta (70% vs 49.41%, P < 0.05), and relative expression levels of H19 gene was significant low compared with that in the control (883.3 vs 1 264.5, P < 0.05). Reversely, the methylation levels was significant low compared with that in the control in lung (63.53% vs 88.24%, P < 0.05), and relative expression levels was significant high compared with that in the control (1 003.4 vs 515.5, P < 0.05). The differences of others groups were insignificant (P > 0.05). Results showed the abnormal DNA methylation proflies of H19 gene occurred in some tissues of cloned goat fetus, which affected normal expression levels of H19 gene, indicating that aberrant DNA methylation reprogramme may be one of the important factors for the death of cloned animals.
Animals ; Cloning, Organism ; veterinary ; CpG Islands ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Female ; Fetus ; metabolism ; Genomic Imprinting ; Goats ; Kidney ; embryology ; metabolism ; Liver ; embryology ; metabolism ; Lung ; embryology ; metabolism ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; RNA, Untranslated ; genetics ; metabolism