Purpose To explore the value of three vessels and trachea view in rapid screening of aortic arch malformations. Materials and Methods 51 fetal subjects who were prenatally diagnosed with aortic arch abnormalities were enrolled, and their diagnoses were confirmed by postnatal echocardiography or autopsy results after induction. Targeted fetal cardiac examinations were conducted under obstetric ultrasound examination conditions, ultrasound images were restored and compared with sonographic features of normal aorta. Results Among the 51 fetus cases with aortic arch anomalies, right-oriented aortic arch with left subclavian artery vagus was shown in 17 cases, left-oriented aortic arch with right subclavian artery vagus in 2 cases, double aortic arch in 2 cases, aortic arch disarticulation in 6 cases, and aortic arch coarctation in 24 cases. Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound was 94.1%. Sonographic changes were displayed in three-vessel or three vessels and trachea view in all cases. Conclusion Three vessels and trachea view plays an important prompt role in ultrasound diagnosis for fetal aortic arch abnormalities. But when it is manifested as the“1oo”sign, it will be rather difficult for the differential diagnosis of aortic arch disarticulation and severe aortic arch coarctation.

Objective To observe the real-time effect of retaining needle at Lingtai (GV 10) and Shendao (GV 11) on ST-T segment on cardiogram in patients with angina pectoris of coronary heart disease (CHD).Method Thirty patients with angina pectoris of CHD who received acupuncture at Lingtai (GV 10) and Shendao (GV 11) were divided into group A with needles retained after insertion of the needles and group B without needles retained. The two groups were observed by using 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) before and after treatment, to compare the ST segment and T wave atⅡ,Ⅲ, avF lead and V4, V5, V6lead before and after treatment.Result After treatment, ST segment atⅡ,Ⅲ, avF lead and V4, V5, V6lead was changed significantly in group A (P<0.05). T wave was significantly changed atⅡ,Ⅲ, avF lead after treatment in group A (P<0.05). T wave at V4, V5, V6 lead was significantly changed after treatment in both groups (P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at Lingtai (GV 10) and Shendao (GV 11) can improve myocardial ischemia in angina pectoris of CHD; compared to acupuncture without needles retained, retaining needles after acupuncture can produce a more significant effect in improving the inferior and anterior myocardial walls and a better real-time effect on ST-T on ECG of angina pectoris of CHD.

We present a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage induced by chronic suppurative otitis media and discuss the possible mechanism here. Chronic suppurative otitis media is a common suppurative inflammation of middle ear, which can cause sorts of extracranial and intracranial complications in the situation of lower resistance or higher virulence. However, the condition of subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by chronic suppurative otitis media is quite rare. According to this case and previously published articles, we consider that meningitis may be the main reason of subarachnoid hemorrhage induced by chronic suppurative otitis media.
Chronic Disease ; Ear, Middle ; Female ; Humans ; Meningitis ; complications ; Middle Aged ; Otitis Media, Suppurative ; complications ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; complications

Objective To explore the clinical value of transvaginal four-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (TVS 4D-HyCoSy)in evaluation of the patency of fallopian tubes. Methods Totally 53 patients underwent SonoVue TVS4D-HyCoSy to observe the tubal patency. Results Among the 106 tubes in 53 patients, TVS 4D-HyCoSy showed 47 unobstructed tubes, 23 obstructed tubes, and 36 partially passable tubes. In unobstructed cases, the fallopian tubes were smooth and regular in morphology, and contrast agents flowed into and dispersed over pelvic cavity rapidly and evenly. In the cases of partially passable tube, fallopian tubes were discontinuous and irregular in morphology, and contrast agents lfowed into and dispersed over pelvic cavity slowly and unevenly. In obstructed cases, there were no or little contrast agents into the fallopian tubes. Compared with the results of laparoscopy, the diagnostic accuracy of TVS 4D-HyCoSy was 94.4%(17/18). Conclusions TVS 4D-HyCoSy is a useful tool in demonstrating the morphological features of fallopian tube, diagnosing intrauterinc adhesion and lesion and assessing the tubal patency.

ObjectiveTo summarize the value of prenatal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of fetal absent pulmonary valve syndrome (APVS).MethodsBetween January 2010 and January 2014, ifve cases with fetal APVS diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound and conifrmed by autopsy in West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University were reviewed. Four conventional views of fetal echocardiography were used to diagnose APVS, including two-dimentional images, color Doppler lfow imaging (CDFI) and pulsed Doppler lfow spectrum.ResultsTypical signs of fetal APVS in 3 of 5 cases were found: no pulmonary valve was found in the main pulmonary artery, and pulmonary annulus was relatively smaller compared with a tumor-like expansion in pulmonary trunk; “to and fro” sign in the pulmonary trunk were observed steadily by CDFI and “to and fro” spectrum were detected by pulsed Doppler. Another 2 of 5 cases of fetal APVS have no pulmonary expansion, but “to and fro” sign could be detected by color and spectral Doppler, including 1 case with tricuspid atresia and 1 case with Ebstein’s anomaly.ConclusionsPrenatal ultrasonography has important diagnostic value for Fetal APVS. Fetal APVS on prenatal ultrasound has many characteristics and is easy to diagnose. Color and spectral doppler can detect and diagnose fetal APVS effectively.

Objective:To investigate the role of NIMA-related kinase-7 (NEK7) in breast cancer (BC) and its potential molecular mechanism.Methods:Quantitative real-time reverse-transcription (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of NEK7 in BC tissue and cell lines. The effect of NEK7 on BC cell proliferation was examined by CCK-8. Proteins interacted with NEK7 were screened in Biological database. The effect of overexpression of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) on BC cell proliferation was evaluated. Western blot was used to detect NLRP3 protein expression, and ELISA was employed to evaluate IL-1β and IL-18 expression level.Result:NEK7 was upregulated in BC tissues and cells, and enforced-expression of NEK7 promoted BC cell proliferation[NEK7 over-expression group: 24 h: (0.33±0.02) , 48 h: (0.59±0.02) , 72 h: (0.76±0.02) ; Blank group: 24 h: (0.30±0.02) , 48 h: (0.45±0.02) , 72 h: (0.62±0.03) ; NEK7 empty vector group: 24 h: (0.32±0.02) , 48 h: (0.46±0.02) , 72 h: (0.63±0.03) ]. There was a positive correlation between NEK7 and NLRP3 ( R=0.13) . Overexpression of NLRP3 increased the proliferation ability of BC cell[NLRP3 over-expression group: 24 h: (0.35±0.02) , 48 h: (0.65±0.02) , 72 h: (0.80±0.03) ; Blank group: 24 h: (0.33±0.02) , 48 h: (0.51±0.02) , 72 h: (0.66±0.03) ; NLRP3 empty vector group: 24 h: (0.34±0.02) , 48 h: (0.52±0.03) , 72 h: (0.66±0.03) ]. NEK7 could positively regulate NLRP3 protein and up-regulate IL-1β (NEK7 over-expression group: 129.96±7.62 pg/ml, Blank group: 19.80±2.42pg/ml, NEK7 empty vector group: 21.30±1.77 pg/ml) and IL-18 (NEK7 over-expression group: 144.08±17.20 pg/ml, Blank group: 16.84±2.34pg/ml, NEK7 empty vector group: 17.64±1.94 pg/ml) expression. Conclusion:The upregulation of NEK7 was involved in the process of BC progression by inducing NLRP3 inflammasome activation, suggesting that NEK7 might be a promising therapeutic target for BC.

This study was aimed to explore the renoprotective effects of Tang-Shen-Ping (TSP) on RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway in KKAy mice with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).A total of 60 female 10-week SPF degree KKAy mice,which were fed with KK special food for 10 weeks,were made into DKD model.Mice were randomly divided in the model group,irbesartan group,low-,medium-and high-dose TSP group (0.525 g· kg-1,1.05 g· kg-1,and 2.1 g· kg-1).Ten female C57BL/6J mice were used as the normal control group.Mice of each group were intragastrically administered with corresponding medicine,respectively,while mice of the control group and the model group were given deionized water of the equal volume.The body weight was measured and the 24-hour urine protein quantification was detected every 4 weeks.At the end of the 26th week,all mice were sacrificed and the biochemical indicators,such as fasting blood glucose (FBG),serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN),serum creatinine (Scr),and triglyceride (TG) were measured.HE staining,Mallory staining and PAS staining were used to observe the pathological morphology of kidney tissues.Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) were used in the detection of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1),Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA),Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1),α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),E-Cadherin (E-Cad) mRNA and protein expression.The results showed that compared with the model group,there were significant differences on body weight,the ratio of kidney weight to body weight,and urinary protein in the middle-and high-dose TSP group (P ＜ 0.01);the renal pathological damage was obviously decreased;contents of FBG,BUN,Scr and TG decreased (P ＜ 0.01);mRNA and protein expression of E-Cadherin increased;mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1,RhoA,ROCK1 and α-SMA decreased with significant difference in the middle-and high-dosc TSP group (P ＜ 0.01).It was concluded that the renoprotective effects and epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT) of renal tubular epithelial cells of TSP on DKD KKAy mice may be related to the regulation of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

This paper was aimed to study the renal protective effect of Tang-Shen-Ning (TSN) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) KKAy mice by inhibiting the Notch/snail1 signal transduction pathway.A total of 30 KKAy mice,which were fed with mice-dedicated food for 10 weeks and with the blood glucose over 16.7 mmol· L-1,24-hour urinary albumin larger than 0.4 mg,were made into the DN model.The DN mice were randomly divided into the model group,irbesartan group and TSN group according to their blood glucose and weight.Intragastric administration of medication was given.A total of 10 female C57BL/6J mice were selected as the control group.The general condition,body weight and 24-hour urinary protein quantitation were detected.After 16-week intervention,mice were sacrificed.Levels of blood glucose,blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) were detected.HE and Mallory staining were applied to renal tissues.In situ hybridization (ISH) and western blotting were used to detect the Notch/snail 1 pathway,α-SMA,E-Cadherin protein and mRNA expression in renal tissues.Statistical analysis was made by SPSS20.0 software.The results showed that compared with the model group,the rats' general conditions were improved;body weight and 24-hour urinary protein quantitation were significantly decreased (P＜0.01);contents of BUN and Scr were reduced (P＜0.01,P＜0.05).The pathological staining showed significantly reduction on renal interstitial fibrosis.The Notch/snail1 pathway,protein and mRNA expression of α-SMA were significant reduced with statistical significance (P＜0.01);protein and mRNA expression of E-Cad protein were significant increased with statistical significance (P＜0.01).It was concluded that TSN can protect the renal function of DN,delay the disease progression of DN,and inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT) of renal tubular epithelial cells and renal interstitial fibrosis.Furthermore,the inhibition on EMT may be through the regulation of the Notch/snail1 pathway.

Objective: To explore the cardiac function and outcomes in patients of aortic stenosis (AS) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) within 6 months in order to provide the guidance for clinical treatment. Methods: A total of 49 consecutive severe AS patients with surgical contradiction or STS high risk score and received successful TAVR in our hospital from 2013-12 to 2015-12 were studied. Echocardiography and blood levels of NT-proBNP were examined at pre- and 1 month, 6 months after TAVR. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), aortic valve mean gradient (MG), peak gradient (PG) and peak velocity (PV) were recorded. Based on pre-operative LVEF, the patients were divided into 2 groups: Cardiac dysfunction group, LVEF<50%,n=15 (30.6%) and Normal cardiac function group, LVEF≥50%, n=34 (69.4%). Post-operative cardiac function and blood levels of NT-proBNP were compared between 2 groups. Results: In all 49 patients, the following parameters were significantly improved within 7 days after TAVR: LVEF (56.0±14.6) % vs (52.5±13.8)%, MG (11±5) mmHg vs (58±18) mmHg, PG (21.7±9.5) mmHg vs (93.0±28.6) mmHg, PV (2.3±0.5) m/s vs (4.8±0.7) m/s, blood NT-proBNP level [1831 (1098-3363)] pg/ml vs [3842 (1763-8664)] pg/ml and aortic valve area (1.57±0.43) cm2 vs (0.58±0.23) cm2 allP<0.05. Within 6 months after TAVR, LVEF was continuously increasing especially in Cardiac dysfunction group; MG, PV and NT-proBNP level were continuously decreasing, NYHA grade was continuously improving, allP<0.05. Conclusion: TAVR was an effective treatment in AS patients with surgical contradiction or STS high risk score; it may continuously improve cardiac function, especially in patients with left heart dysfunction.

To explore the safety and efficacy of levosimendan in treating the patients with severe aortic stenosis and to analyze the cardial function before and after medication in order to guide clinical treatment. Methods: A total of 20 patients admitted in our hospital from 2014-01 to 2015-12 were enrolled with the standard of echocardiography confirmed severe aortic stenosis, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)≤45%, NYHA III-IV and inefficacy for conventional anti-heart failure drug therapy. The patients received intravenous infusion of levosimendan at 0.1μg/(kg·min) by persistent pumping for 24 hours. Echocardiography, LVEF, dyspnea condition, NYHA grading and plasma levels of NT-proBNP were recorded pre- and post-medication to compare the cardiac function and symptoms of levosimendan therapy. Results: After levosimendan treatment, NYHA grade was improved, P=0.025 and NT-proBNP was reduced (9101.6±7368.0) pg/mLvs (13776.5±9503.7) pg/mL, P=0.018. The following parameters were similar before and after levosimendan therapy: LVEF (31.1±7.5)% vs (33.1±8.5)%, P=0.078, the average heart rate (79.6±13.8) bmp vs (82.8±9.5)bmp, P=0.200 and systolic blood pressure (99.6±11.7) mmHg vs (97.2±12.1) mmHg, P=0.071. There were 40% (8/20) patients with obviously improved and 50% (10/20) with improved dyspnea symptoms after levosimendan treatment. Conclusion: Our preliminary study presented that levosimendan could improve NYHA grading, remit dyspnea symptom and reduce blood NT-proBNP level in patients with severe aortic stenosis and heart failure; it had safety and tolerability at certain degree in clinical practice.