OBJECTIVETo evaluate left ventricular function in newborn infants of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODSForty newborn infants of mother with GDM (GDM group) and forty normal newborn infants (control group) were enrolled in this study. Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging was used to measure interventricular septal thickness, posterior left ventricular wall thickness and left ventricular ejection fraction in both groups. Left ventricular rotation and torsion were evaluated for all participants.

RESULTSInterventricular septal thickness in the GDM group was much higher than in the control group (0.45±0.06 mm vs 0.34±0.05 mm; P<0.05). Posterior left ventricular wall thickness in the GDM group was also higher than in the control group (0.45±0.17 mm vs 0.31±0.02 mm; P<0.05). There was no difference in the left ventricular ejection fraction between the two groups (P>0.05). Peak subendocardial rotation, peak subepicardial rotation, peak bulk rotation and peak mural torsion were higher in the GDM group than in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCardiac function may be impaired in newborn infants of mothers with GDM, with changes in left ventricular shape and abnormalities of left ventricular rotation and torsion. However, infants have a normal ventricular blood ejection under the cardiac compensation. Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging technique can be used for early detection of left ventricular function.

Diabetes, Gestational ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility and safety of gene transfer into porcine myocardium via the pericardial cavity by a homemade easy device.

METHODSReplication-deficient recombinant adenoviral vector carrying LacZ report gene (Ad-LacZ) was constructed by the calcium phosphate precipitation method. Twelve healthy Chinese mini-swine were randomly divided into experimental group (n = 6) and control group (n = 6). Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model was established by balloon occlusion of the distal part of D1 branch of left anterior descending (LAD) artery, at the same time the intrapericardial cavity injections were performed through the small incision of the abdominal wall below the xyphoid appendix using a homemade device. Then gene transfer was performed using a central venous catheter. The pericardium was pretreated with injection of a mixture of collagenase (1,200 U) and hyaluronidase (3,000 U) in both groups. Then 2.0 x 10(9) plaque formation unit (PFU) Ad-LacZ was injected into the pericardial cavity in experimental group, while 1 mL of normal saline was injected in the control group. The beta-galactosidase activity detection and X-gal staining of the ischemic myocardium were performed on the 3rd, 7th, and 28th day after injection.

RESULTSThe LAD artery was occluded completely and infarction and ischemia were detected by histological assessment In experimental group, the X-gal staining positive cells and beta-galactosidase activity quantification were detectable on the 3rd day after injection, increased markedly on the 7th day, and then declined on the 28th day. The transfer efficiencies indicated by the positive myocardial cells were 16.7%, 45.6% , 22.8% on the 3rd, 7th, 28th day, respectively. In control group, no positive cells and beta-galactosidase activity were observed.

CONCLUSIONAdenovirus can be transferred into ischemic myocardium and express target gene in the AMI model for four weeks with the homemade easy device via pericardial cavity pretreated by collagenase and hyaluronidase.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Reporter ; Genetic Vectors ; Heart ; Lac Operon ; Myocardium ; enzymology ; Pericardium ; physiology ; Punctures ; methods ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; beta-Galactosidase ; genetics

Objective To produce three-dimensional cartilage nanoscaffolds based on extracellular matrix.Methods Nanoscaffolds of collagen type Ⅱ(Col-Ⅱ), hyaluronic acid(HA)and chondroitin sulfate(CS)were prepared by mixing water,trifluoroethanol and hexafluoroisopropanol as a solvent.The structure, morphology, thermal property, mechanical performance and hydrophobicity of the scaffolds were characterized.Results There were interactions between Col-Ⅱ,HA and CS.The scaffolds were hydrophobic.The Col-Ⅱ triple-helix structure wasn't completely damaged.In the study, scaffold fibers were smooth,slender and dimensionally stable.The scaffolds had good thermal stability and optimal tensile properties could be obtained at the mass ratio of 7:1:1.Conclusion In this study, scaffolds have good thermal, mechanical and structural properties and are expected to be used in cartilage repair.

OBJECTIVETo describe the epidemiological characteristics and related factors of SARS in Shanxi in order to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

METHODSData on clinically-diagnosed SARS cases reported to Shanxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention through SARS reporting system of Shanxi province and epidemiological reports were collected from early March to 20 May, 2003. The characteristics of SARS distribution in time, place and population in Shanxi were described. The epidemiological characteristics and related influential factors were analyzed with EPI info 6.0 software.

RESULTSSince the first imported SARS case was diagnosed clinically on 7 March and till 20 May in Shanxi province, the number of cumulative clinically-diagnosed SARS cases were 445 with an attack rate of 1.34/10,000. 20 deaths occurred in that period with the mortality rate 4.49%. The number of cases increased from 28 March and formed the first peak. However, the number continued to increase until 18 April to have formed the second peak. Since then, the number of cases has gradually decreased gradually. Since 19 May, there has been no clinically-diagnosed cases being reported. SARS cases were mostly seen in urban areas of the city (83.82% of the total SARS cases) with sporadic cases found in rural areas. Students and medical staff and people from 20 - 59 years of age occupied the large part of the cases. Age specific mortality rate increased with age and the male/female ratio was 1:0.87.

CONCLUSIONIn Shanxi province, the SARS epidemic seemed to have had the following stages: importation of the first case, gradual increase of the number of cases to reach the peak and decreasing. Case identification at early stage as well as taking measures to decrease the chance of transmission were strategically crucial for controlling the spread of SARS virus in the community.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupations ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; mortality

AIM: To analyze the correlations among parameters from iTrace visual function analyzer, Pentacam 3D anterior segment analysis system and lens opacities classification system(LOCS)Ⅲ in the assessment of lens opacity of age-related cataract(ARC)patients.METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study. A total of 104 ARC patients(104 eyes)in the department of ophthalmology of our hospital from May to August, 2021 were included. The cataracts of patients were graded based on LOCSⅢ using a slit-lamp. Opacity map grade(OMG)and dysfunctional lens index(DLI)were obtained by iTrace. Pentacam nucleus staging(PNS)and Scheimpflug images of lenses were acquired by Pentacam. The regional integrated density(IntDen)of Scheimpflug images was obtained by ImageJ. The normality and correlations of parameters were analyzed by SPSS 26.0.RESULTS: All the parameters were normally distributed except 3mm IntDen and IntDen of 6mm posterior subcapsular region. PNS positively correlated with nuclear color(NC)and nuclear opalescence(NO)(r=0.521, 0.440, all P<0.01). The 3mm IntDen positively correlated with NC and NO(rs=0.459, 0.450, all P<0.01). IntDen of 3mm nucleus region positively correlated with NC and NO(r=0.539, 0.543, all P<0.01). IntDen of 3mm posterior subcapsular region was negatively correlated with NC and NO(r=-0.315, -0.321, all P<0.01). 6mm IntDen positively correlated with NC and NO(r=0.321, 0.288, all P<0.01). 3mm DLI negatively correlated with NC, NO, and posterior subcapsular cataract(PSC)(r=-0.257, -0.234, -0.282, all P<0.01). 6mm DLI negatively correlated with NC, NO, PSC(r=-0.247, -0.304, -0.227, all P<0.05). 3mm OMG positively correlated with CC and PSC(r=0.268, 0.333, all P<0.01), and 6mm OMG positively correlated with CC and PSC(r=0.275, 0.245, all P<0.05). 3mm DLI negatively correlated with PNS and IntDen of 3mm nucleus region(r=-0.217, -0.197, all P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Each lens opacity assessment system had its own advantages. Taking all parameters into comprehensive consideration is conducive to objectively eraluate the opacity degree of each area of the lens and provide references for clinical work.