Objective To explore the therapeutic effects of nimodipine and magnesium sulfate on severe pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) as well as the effect on plasma endotheline (ET) and serum nitric oxide (NO), in order to provide theoretical foundation for clinical treatment. Methods Forty two patients with severe PIH, being divided into 2 groups at random, were treated with nimodipine or magnesium sulfate. The changes of blood pressure, arteriole of eyeground, urine protein, ET, NO and clinical symptoms were observed respectively before and after the treatment, and the pregnancy outcomes were compared. Results (1) After the treatment of nimodipine, the serum NO of patients increased significantly from (51.72?14.64)?mol/L to (67.56?14.77)?mol/L ( P 0.05). (2) The nimodipine group took shorter time (0.5 h) to lower the blood pressure notably than the magnesium sulfate group (2 h).(3) As for the disappearing of subjective symptoms , nimodipine group (1.7? 1.3) h was quicker than magnesium sulfate group (3.4?1.7) h. Conclusions Compared with magnesium sulfate, nimodipine was better in improving and protecting the function of endotheline cells, dilating cerebral blood vessels, depressing blood pressure strongly and persistently, reducing subjective symptoms of patients and had no other side effects except increasing heart rate.

Objective To examine the expression and clinical significance of E26 transformation specific-1 in premature rupture of fetal membranes. Methods Fetal membranes from 75 women in the following categories were analyzed for Ets-1 expression: preterm and term premature rupture of fetal membranes; 70 women (control group) with term cesarean sections and without complications. Ets-1 protein was localized with the use of immunohistochemical S-P method. Results Ets-1 protein was expressed in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of trophoblast of human fetal membranes, with more obvious expression in the nucleus. Ets-1 protein's expression was up-regulated in the trophoblast of fetal membranes with premature rupture, which differed significantly from the control group (P<0.05). Ets-1 protein's expression was up-regulated in the trophoblast of fetal membranes with preterm premature rupture, which did not differ significantly from the control group (P>0.05). Conclusion Ets-1 is expressed in human fetal membranes and its expression is up-regulated with premature rupture of fetal membranes, suggesting a role for Ets-1 in extracellular matrix remodeling of the membranes. This study provides an evidence to predict premature rupture of fetal membrances.

Objective To evaluate the value of selecting and locating coronary artery severe stenosis by the segmental longitudinal strain imaging diastolic indexes (LSI-DI).Methods 94 subjects with left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) ≥50％ and without regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) were divided into A group (coronary artery sever stenosis),B group (coronary artery light or mid stenosis) and C group (normal control) using coronary angiography.Some indexes were measured such as early diastolic mitral annulus velocity of septum (e),diastolic peak flow velocity of mitral valve (E,A) and E/e ratio.Using two-dimensional speckle tracking,indexes were measured such as segmental peak systolic longitudinal strain (PSLS),segmental longitudinal strain imaging diastolic indexes (LSI-DI) and global peak systolic longitudinal strain (GPSLS),global longitudinal strain imaging diastolic indexes (GLSI-DI).Compared these indexes among the three groups,the most valuabe segments were obtained and the optimal values were found out by ROC curve.Results There were no significant differences about GPSLS among the three groups.Coronary artery severe stenosis group were significantly lower than the other two groups on GLSI-DI (P ＜0.05);GLSI-DI of B group was lower than that of normal control group but the difference was not significant(P ＞0.05).The optimal cutoff values of LSI-DI were 45.5％ in the middle anteroseptal segment for detecting left anterior descending (LAD) artery severe stenosis (sensitivity 81.8％,specificity 84.2％),44.8％ in the basal anterolateral segment for detecting left circumflex (LCX) artery stenosis (sensitivity 87.3％,specificity 85.3％),and 48.3 ％ in the basal inferior segment for detecting right coronary (RCA) artery stenosis (sensitivity 79.6％,specificity 86.9 ％).Conclusions Patients with coronary artery severe stenosis can be screened by LSI-DI among patients with LVEF ≥50％ and without RWMA through conventional echocardiography.The middle anteroseptal segment,the basal anterolateral segment and the basal inferior segment can better locate the branches of coronary artery severe stenosis and the cutoff values were separately 45.5 ％,44.8 ％ and 48.3 ％.

Objective To measure left atrial appendage (LAA)in patients with atrial fibrillation using Flexi Slice imaging by real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE),and compare with common multiplane TEE.Methods Forty-six patients with atrial fibrillation were performed 2D and real time 3D TEE.Zero degree,45°,90° and 135° plane were acquired by 2D TEE and Flexi Slice remolding. Maximum and minimum values of ostium of left atrial appendage were acquired in the short axis view of LAA by Flexi Slice remolding.Results Compared with 2D TEE,values acquire by Flexi Slice in measurement of LAA ostium showed no significant difference(P >0.05).The depth measurement by Flexi Slicein 45° and 90° plane showed significant difference with 2D TEE (P-values were successively 0.045, 0.002),and in 0 and 135° plane showed no difference.All values measured by 2D TEE and Flexi Slices showed significant correlation.Bland-Altman plot showed that 94.29% of plots were among limits of agreement,which was (-2.5 mm,2.9 mm).The maximum values of LAA ostium values ranged from 30° to 160°,among which 87% (40/46 cases)distributed between 90° and 1 50°,and minimum values ranged from 0°to 160°,among which 85%(39/46 cases)distributed between 0°and 60°.Conclusions Measurement of LAA can be well achieved by Flexi Slice imaging,which showed significant advantage compared with 2D TEE.

Objective To explore the value of echocardiography in percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA)closure for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation during procedure and for short-term follow-up.Methods Twenty patients were enrolled to undergo percutaneous LAA closure with the LAmbre device.Rheumatic valvular diseases were excluded by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE)before the closure procedure.TEE was performed during the procedure for the trans-septal puncture and the release of the closure device.Combined TEE with angiographic measurements,guidance for the optimal device size was provided.The closure effect and procedure-related complications were observed immediately by TEE and also evaluated by TTE at 1-day and 1-month follow-up.Results All patients underwent LAA occlusion successfully.TEE color Doppler evaluation have shown nine patients with complete closure immediately,one with a ≤ 1 mm residual LAA leak,and ten with a 1 -3 mm jet.There were no other complications during the procedure.One day after the closure,small pericardial effusions were observed for three patients while two of the three were free of the pericardial effusion at the 1-month follow-up.During the short-term follow-up,no damage was found at any anatomical structures near LAA due to the closure process,and there was no significant difference of cardiac function before and after the procedure.Conclusions With the guidance of TEE,the successful rate of percutaneous LAA closure procedure was preferable and the occurrence rate of compliance was acceptable. And TTE played an important role in patients'short-term follow-up.

Objective To evaluate left ventricular systolic synchronicity in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy by V-plane imaging and compare with clinical commonly used tissue Doppler imaging (TDI),evaluate the relevance and consistency between these two parameters.Methods 20 patients diagnosed with DCM and 20 healthy controls were enrolled,2D images,V-plane imaging and TDI waveform were acquired.Time to peak velocity of left ventricular 12 segments were measured by TDI and the standard deviation (TDI_SD) were calculated.Displacement time to peak were measured by V-plane and the standard deviation (V-plane_SD) were calculated.Results Compared with control group,TDI_SD and V-plane_SD increased significantly (P ＜ 0.01),TDI time to peak increased and V-plane time to peak decreased significantly(P ＜0.01).In the two group,12 segment time to peak measured by V-plane were significantly higher than TDI(P ＜ 0.01).There was a significant correlation between TDI_SD and V-plane_SD (r =0.925,P ＜0.001).Bland-Altman plot showed that 95％ plots of ratio of TDI_SD and V-plane_SD were among limits of agreement,which was (0.50,1.36).Conclusions Left ventricular systolic synchronicity in DCM patients can be observed by V-plane imaging.V-plane has significant relevance and consistency with TDI,and can overcome the limitations of TDI that 12 segments can not be displayed in the same cardiac cycle.

Background and purpose:Smac/DIABLO was the only apoptosis-related protein that could inhibit IAPs directly and simultaneously.The four amino-residual AVPI(Ala-Val-Pro-lie)in its N-terminal was the very important domain that could stimulate apoptosis.This study investigated the effect of synthetic Smac peptide (SmacN7) on chemotherapy sensitivity of bladder cancer cells.Methods:SmacN7 penetratin peptide was synthesized and delivered into T24 cells.MTT assay was adopted to evaluate the viability of T24 cells induced by low-dosage of MMC. Flow cytometry was applied to analyze the proportion of apoptosis and Western blot was used to detect the expression of XIAP and caspase-3;The activity of caspase-3 was measured and the effect of SmacN7 combined with MMC on T24 cell lines was also determined.Results:SmacN7 penetratin peptide could successfully interact with endogenous XIAP and increase the proportions of apoptosis of T24 cell lines induced by low-dosage of MMC in a dose-and time- dependent manner.An obvious down-regulation of XIAP expression and up-regulation of caspase-3 was identified by Western blot.The activity of caspase-3 in experimental group was significantly increased as compared with that in the control group;Combining the treatment with SmacN7 penetratin peptide,the viability of T24 cells decreased to 55% and 72.7% in 24 hrs and 48 hrs respectively.Conclusion:SmacN7 penetratin peptide could act as a cell-permeable IAP inhibitor,inhibit the proliferation,induce apoptosis and enhance the chemo-sensitivity of bladder cancer cells to MMC. When combined with chemotherapy,it may be a very promising strategy for bladder cancer therapy.

Objective To assess the clinical value of three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI) in detecting left ventricular systolic function in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).Methods 34 patients with PAF and 34 matched subjects were included.The strains of the left ventricular 17 segments (longitudinal and radial strain) were acquired using 3D-STI.Results Compared with the controls,the strains were decreased in the posterior wall,the inferior wall and the posterior septum below the left ventricular papillary muscle level in the PAF group,the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05),while there were no significant differences in other segments (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Left ventricular systolic function in patients with PAF was decreased,but the decreased degree of the segments was not all the same.3D-STI can evaluate left ventricular systolic function in patients with PAF and provide valuable clinical information.

Objective To create a three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3DSTI) multiparameter analysis model to improve the diagnostic efficiency of obstructive coronary artery stenosis.Methods One hundred and four patients with chest pain were divided into two groups:coronary heart disease(CHD) group (61 patients) and control group (43 patients) according to the result of selective coronary angiography (SCA).The two groups' clinical data and echocardiographic parameters were aquired,including mitral flow E and A velocities,E peak deceleration time,isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT),mitral annulus velocity e' and a' peak in diastolic and s' peak in systolic by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI),and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).The global longitudinal peak strain (2D-GLPS) by two dimensional speckle tracking,global longitudinal peak strain (3D-GLPS),circumferential peak strain(3D-GCPS),radial peak strain (3D-GRPS) and area peak strain (3D-GAPS) were acquired.Results For conventional parameters,there were no significant difference between the two groups.Compared with control group,TDI e' peak,3D-GRPS decreased,significantly E/e',2D-GLPS,3D-GLPS,3D-GAPS,3D-GCPS increased significantly (P ＜0.01).For single parameter,area under the ROC curve (AUC) were successively 3D-GAPS(0.766) ＞ 3D-GLPS(0.746) ＞ 2D-GLPS(0.746) ＞3D-GRPS(0.727) ＞ s' (0.703) ＞E/e' (0.688)＞3D-GCPS(0.686).AUC for single and multi technology were successively p-Union(0.856)＞p-3DSTI(0.772) ＞ p-TDI (0.757) ＞ p-2DSTI (0.746).Conclusions 3DSTI together with multi-parameter analysis model can significantly improve the diagnostic efficiency of obstructive coronary artery stenosis.Area strain is an independent predictor of obstructive coronary artery stenosis.

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of speckle tracking imaging(STI) for assessment of left ventricular(LV) and right ventricular (RV) functions in patients with isolated disease of right coronary artery.Methods 45 cases were diagnosed as single right coronary lesions given echocardiography,30 cases had chest pain but coronary angiography had not seen the obvious narrow as a comparison.The twodimensional loop-cinec were obtained in apical 4-chamber view,apical 2-chamber view and long axis of LV view.Eighteen segments of LV longitudinal peak systolic strain,global peak systolic strain of each view and three segments of RV free wall were measured by two-dimensional strain software.Results In the patients who had right coronary lesions but did not happen myocardial infarction,the strain(S) values in the base,mid and apex segmental of LV post wall,the base and mid segmental of LV inferior wall and the base and mid segmental of LV septum were significantly lower( P ＜0.05).The S values in the mid segment of RV free wall was lower( P ＜0.05).In the patients who had right coronary lesions and myocardial infarction,the S values in the base,mid segmental of LV antsept,the apex segmental of LV anterior wall,the base,mid and apex segmental of LV post wall,the base and mid segmental of LV inferior wall and the base and mid segmental of LV septum were significantly lower( P ＜0.05).The S values in the mid and apex segments of RV free wall were lower ( P ＜0.05).And the LV global longitudinal strains were lower in the two groups (P ＜0.05).Conclusions STI is a new and useful technology for assessment ventricular functions in patients with isolated disease of right coronary artery,and there are multiple segments impaired.