Objective To assess left ventricular systolic strain in patients with mitral valve replacement (MVR) by speckle tracking echocardiography. Methods Two-dimensional images were acquired from the apical four-chamber view, two-chamber view and long-axis of the left ventricular view in 30 MVR patients (MVR group) and 30 healthy subjects matched by age and gender(control group), and then were analysed off line to evaluate left ventricular systolic strain. The maximum systolic longitudinal strain(LS) of myocardial segments and global longitudinal strain(GLS) were measured in apical views. Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) was calculated using Simpson's method. The correlation between GLS and LVEF was analyzed using Pearson's method. Results Compared with the control group, LS of corresponding segment and GLS in MVR group decreased significantly (P < 0.01), but there were no statistical differences within MVR group(P>0.05). There was a good linear positive correlation between GLS and LVEF in patients (r = 0.710, P <0.01). Conclusions Speckle tracking eehoeardiography is available for measuring left ventricular systolic strain and estimating global systolic function in patients with MVR. Bull's-eye strain map, created by speckle tracking imaging, can achieve an accurate real-time segmental wall motion analysis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of color M-mode Doppler echocardiography (CMM) in assessing left ventricular(LV) diastolic function after mitral valve replacement(MVR). Methods Fifty-two patients who had received the implantation for more than three months were examined by echoeardiography (MVR group). Thirty age and sex-adjusted normal volunteers served as control group. Dimensions of left atrium and ventricle,ejection fraction(EF) and mitral inflow velocity(E) were measured by two-dimensional and Doppler eehocardiography. Color M-mode Doppler flow propagation velocity(Vp) and TDl-derived diastolic mitral annular velocity(Em) were measured from the apical four-chamber and two-chamber views. Then two new indexes based on the ratio of E to Vp(E/Vp) and E to Era' (E/Em') were while E/Vp and E/Era' increased, there were significant differences(P <0.01). The correlation coefficient and atrial fibrillation(P <20.01) ,however E/Vp was lower affected hy EF or atrial fibrillation(P >0.05). dysfunction were 2.00. Conclusions CMM is an effective technique to assess LV diastolic function after MVR. E/Vp has good consistency with E/Era and may be a potential useful parameter for assessing LV diastolic function.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of tissue Doppler imaging(TDI)in assessing left ventricular(LV)function after mitral valve replacement(MVR).Methods Forty-five patients having their implantations for more than three months were examined by echocardiography and divided into atrial fibrillation group(AF group,n=21)and sinus rhythm group(SR group,n=24).Thirty normal volunteers served as control group.Left atrium and ventricle indexs of cardiac function and mitral inflow velocity(E)were measured by two dimensional and Doppler echocardiography,and TDI-derived systolic mitral annular velocity(Sm),diastolic mitral annular velocity(Em)and isovolumic relaxation time(IVRT)were measured at the septal and lateral corners of mitral annulus from the apical four-chamber view.Then E/Em ratio was calculated.Results ①Compared with control group,Sm and Em in MVR group were significantly lower and IVRT was higher(P＜0.001),however there were no significant differences between AF group and SR group.② The E/Em ratio in MVR group was significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.001)and positively correlated with IVRT.The best cutoff value for E/Em ratio was increased of 15 which yielded the sensitivity and specificity in predicting LV diastolic dysfunction were 91.11% and 90.32%,respectively.The area under the ROC curve was 0.9548±0.0402.Conclusions TDI-defived indexes(Sm,Em)can assess LV function accurately and the E/Em ratio,an estimate of myocardial relaxation and LV filling pressures,can be used to evaluate left ventricular diastolic function after MVR.

Objective To investigate the influence of a combination of Chinese herbs,Astragalus membranaceus var.mongholicus and A ngelica sinensis (A&A)on the production and elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS)and the underlying mechanism during the process of renal interstitial fibrosis in the obstructive kidneys of rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction(uuo).Method Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control,sham,UUO and UAA (UUO+A&A)groups.The rats in UAA group were administered with A&A(14 g/kg)by oral gavage once daily:the ones in sham and UUO group were given with equal volumes of water.Three days after setting up models,pathological injury of renal tissue was evaluated.Level of total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC)and activity of CuZn superoxide dismutase(CuZn-SOD)in renal homogenates were measured bv spectrophotometry.Expression of NADPH oxidase subunits p47-phox,p22-phox and nintrotyrosine was analyzed by Western blot. Results Severe interstitial inflammatory cells infiltration, mild tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis were found in UUO group, which were alleviated by A&A administration. Compared to sham group, T-AOC of UUO group was not significantly changed, but the expression of the nitrotyrosine, NADPH oxidase subunits p47-phox and p22-phox was increased significantly (P<0.05). After A&A administration, T-AOC level was increased (2.5±1.1 vs 1.5±0.5, P<0.05) and the expression of nitrotyrosine was decreased (P< 0.05) in UAA group compared with UUO group. Additionally, the expression of p47-phox was reduced at day 3 (P<0.05), accompanied with a reduced expression of p22-phox (P< 0.05). CuZn-SOD activity was not significantly changed among the groups. Conclusion The inhibition of A&A in NADPH oxidase subunits p47-phox and p22-phox, which is responsible for reduction of oxidative stress, is associated with the alleviation of renal fibrosis in obstructive rat kidney.

Objective To quantitatively analysis the aortic valve leaf anatomical characteristics in aortic regurgitation(AR) patients by real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3D-TEE),and screening the parameters which significantly affect AR to further reveal the mechanism of AR.Methods 32 patients with AR were enrolled as AR group and 20 cases of non-AR people were involved as control group.RT-3D-TEE was using to collect images in two groups and offline analysis was performed.4 sets of parameters of the aortic valves(left coronary valve,right coronary valve,and non-coronary valve):leaflet edge length(LL,RL,NL),leaflet height (LH,RH,N H),leaflet length/height ratio (LRa,RRa,NRa),leaflet tip plane distance(LTH,RTH,NTH) were acquired.Parameters of two groups were compared,and the parameters were incorporated into the logistic regression model,then the ROC curves were obtained.Results ①Compared with the control group,LL,RL,NL,RH,LRa,NRa,RRa in AR group increased (P ＜ 0.05),while the rest parameters had no statistical differences (P ＞0.05).②Multivariable logistic regression model gradually screening of the significant factors influencing the reflux,and as a result RL and RTH had significant influence on AR,P values were 0.001,0.011.③The ROC curve analysis showed that the area of RL or RTH curve were both greater than 0.5,which were 0.811 and 0.605 respectively.Conclusions The free edge length and free edge length/height ratio have changed unbalanced.Furthermore,right coronary valve parameters changed significantly,and this might be one of the possible mechanism of AR.

Two cases of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) were reported.Case 1,a 44-year-old woman,presented with progressive recession of the frontotemporal hairline for 4 years and multiple skincolored facial papules for 2 years.Skin examination showed that the frontotemporal hairline was receded,the local skin was smooth and thin,and a few remaining fine hairs could be seen.Additionally,eyebrows,axillary and pubic hairs were partly shed,and plenty of millet-sized skin-colored papules were diffusedly distributed on the frontotemporal region and bilateral mandibular angles.Dermatoscopy showed reduced hair follicular openings,different hair shaft diameters,cicatricial white patches and perifollicular erythema.Case 2,a 55-year-old woman,presented with progressive frontotemporal hair loss for 2 years.Skin examination revealed the recession of bilateral frontotemporal hairline and partial loss of eyebrows,axillary and pubic hairs.Histopathological examinations of the 2 patients both revealed perifollicular infiltration of lymphocytes,liquefaction degeneration of basal cells and perifollicular lamellar fibrosis.Clinical manifestations and histopathological features of the 2 patients both confirmed the diagnosis of FFA.

Through the literature collection on Chinese marine materia medica,this study analyzed medication rules of Chinese marine materia medica prescription,understood general conditions of Chinese marine materia medica prescription,in order to conduct data mining on medication rules of Chinese marine materia medica prescription.The name of Chinese marine materia medica was used as the search term.Chinese marine materia medica prescriptions were searched in related literatures of Chinese Medicine Code,Chinese Marine Materia Medica,Chinese Materia Medica,Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Great Dictionary of Chinese Medicine.The information was extracted and standardized to construct database for the initial data mining of related information and medication rules of Chinese marine materia medica prescriptions.The results showed that 16715 Chinese marine materia medica prescriptions were screened,which contained 144014 items of data,involving 218 kinds of Chinese marine materia medica.Decoction was the most common dosage form.The amount of Chinese marine materia medica prescription in the Ming and Qing dynasties was the largest.The highest frequency of Chinese marine materia medica in one prescription was 1 to 3 types.The prescription composed all by Chinese marine materia medica occupied 8.065％.Other prescriptions contained the compatibility of Chinese terrestrial materia medica.The prescription containing materia medica half from the sea and half from the land,occupied 7.754％.The Chinese marine materia medica used with the highest frequency in all prescriptions was oyster.The frequently used Chinese terrestrial materia medica was licorice and angelica in Chinese marine materia medica prescriptions.It was concluded that the number of Chinese marine materia medica prescription was large.Its compatibility and clinical application had a certain characteristic,which provided data foundation for the further research and development of Chinese marine materia medica.

Objective:To explore the application of speckle tracking imaging (STI) stratification strain technique in the assessment of circumferential myocardial function and the myocardial protection of ATP-postconditioning (ATP-PostC) in a rabbit model of acute myocardial infarction.Methods:A total of 40 rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups: pure ischemia reperfusion group (IR group)and ATP-PostC group. STI images were recorded before and 45 min after occlusion of coronary artery, post low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography, 60 and 120 min after reperfusion, respectively. The following parameters were obtained: left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), heart rate (HR), endocardial circumferential systolic strain (CSsys-endo), mid-myocardial circumferential systolic strain (CSsys-mid) and epicardial circumferential systolic strain (CSsys-epi) at left ventricular short-axis level. At different time points after occlusion and reperfusion, 5 experimental rabbits were killed in each group for pathological examination.Results:①Forty-five min after coronary artery occlusion in both groups, the values of LVEF and HR were decreased( P<0.05), and the absolute values of CSsys-endo, CSsys-mid and CSsys-epi were significantly reduced( P<0.01). After LDDSE, the absolute values of CSsys-endo, CSsys-mid and CSsys-epi were increased, which were different from those after blockade( P<0.05). ②After reperfusion, the circumferential strains were not significantly different from those after blockade in IR group ( P>0.05). After blockade, the absolute values of circumferential strains were increased significantly in the ATP-PostC group compared with IR group( P<0.05). In the ATP-PostC group, the absolute values of CSsys-endo at different time points after reperfusion increased significantly compared with that after blockade ( P<0.05). The absolute values of CSsys-endo and CSsys-mid 120 min after reperfusion continued to increase significantly compared with those 60 min after reperfusion( P<0.05). ③Pathological examination: After 60 min of blockade, there was no significant difference in myocardial infarction area between the IR group and the ATP-PostC group( P>0.05). The percentage of infarct areas at each time point of reperfusion in the ATP-PostC group was decreased compared with that after blockade( P<0.05). Compared with the IR group, the percentage of infarct area in the ATP-PostC group was smaller after 120 minutes of reperfusion and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The applications of STI stratification strain technique and LDDSE can assess left ventricular circumferential strains at each of myocardial layers before and after reperfusion in rabbit myocardial ischemia ATP-PostC model, identify and evaluate the function of viable myocardium, and exhibit the significant protective effects of ATP-PostC on myocardial reperfusion injury.

Objective:To investigate the preventive efficacy of pirfenidone in esophageal stent-related restenosis and the related underlying mechanisms.Methods:Twenty-four rats underwent esophageal stent placement were included in this study. The rats were randomly assigned to three groups, with 8 rats in each group. The three groups were set to receive placebo, 150 mg/kg pirfenidone and 300 mg/kg pirfenidone daily by oral administration for 28 days, respectively. Twenty-eight days after stent placement, the stented esophagi were harvested for histological examinations. The number of epithelial layers, the thickness of submucosal fibrosis, the percentage of granulation tissue area, the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration, the degree of collagen deposition, and the α-SMA staining scores were evaluated. One-way ANOVA was performed for the statistical comparison of the number of epithelial layers, the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration, the degree of collagen deposition and the α-SMA staining scores among these three groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of the thickness of submucosal fibrosis and the percentage of granulation tissue area among the three groups. Results:Gross pathological findings showed that both pirfenidone groups had significantly less luminal fibrotic tissue formation and restenosis than placebo group. The percentage of granulation tissue areas in placebo group, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg pirfenidone groups were 57.23%±25.68%, 21.80%±6.65% and 12.18%±6.37%, respectively. Both pirfenidone groups showed significantly less granulation tissue areas than placebo group ( P<0.01). The degree of inflammatory cell infiltration, the degree of collagen deposition and the α-SMA staining scores were 3.28±0.55, 3.38±0.63 and 2.75±0.38 in placebo group, 2.30±0.46, 2.36±0.58 and 2.00±0.42 in 150 mg/kg pirfenidone group, and 1.86±0.38, 1.91±0.41 and 1.57±0.28 in 300 mg/kg pirfenidone group, respectively. Both pirfenidone groups showed significantly less inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen deposition and α-SMA staining scores than placebo group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Pirfenidone can suppress esophageal stent-related restenosis in rats by significantly inhibiting inflammation, myofibroblast activation and proliferation, and fibrotic tissue formation.

Ablation is one of the important treatment methods for liver cancer, and standard ablation techniques, scientific and rational therapeutic strategy, and close teamwork are important premises for a good clinical effect. Although the efficacy of ablation therapy for liver cancer has gradually increased with the continuous improvement of ablation techniques, there remains a high tumor recurrence rate, and therefore, there is an urgent need for the therapeutic strategies that can improve the efficacy of ablation therapy for liver cancer and the prognosis of patients. Establishment of a diverse team for liver cancer ablation is a new concept put forward on the basis of a conventional team for liver cancer ablation to meet the requirements of ablation therapy for liver cancer. Since a diverse team for liver cancer ablation has potential advantages over a conventional team, it may be a promising mode for establishing a team for liver cancer ablation.