To assess the normal value of left ventricular twist (LVtw) and examine the changes with normal aging by 2-dimensional ultrasound speckle-tracking imaging (STI), 121 healthy volunteers were divided into three age groups: a youth group (19-45 y old), a middle-age group (46-64 y old) and an old-age group (> or = 65 y old). Basal and apical short-axis images of left ventricular were acquired to analyse LV rotation (LVrot) and LVrot velocity. LVtw and LVtw velocity was defined as apical LVrot and LVrot velocity relative to the base. Peak twist (Ptw), twist at aortic valve closure (AVCtw), twist at mitral valve opening (MVOtw), untwisting rate (UntwR), half time of untwisting (HTU), peak twist velocity (PTV), time to peak twist velocity (TPTV), peak untwisting velocity (PUV), time to peak untwisting velocity (TPUV) were separately measured. The results showed that the normal LV performs a wringing motion with a clockwise rotation at the base and a counterclock-wise rotation at the apex (as seen from the apex). The LVtw velocity showed a systolic counterclock-wise twist followed by a diastolic clockwise twist. Peak twist develops near the end of systole (96%+/-4.2% of systole). With aging, Ptw, AVCtw, MVOtw, HTU and PUV increased significantly (P<0.05) and UntwR decreased significantly (P<0.05). However, no significant differences in TPUV, PTV and TPTV were noted among the 3 groups (P>0.05). It is concluded that LV twist can be measured non-invasively by 2-dimensional ultrasound STI imaging. The age-related changes of LVtw should be fully taken into consideration in the assessment of LV function.
Aging ; Echocardiography ; Heart Ventricles/anatomy & histology ; Heart Ventricles/*ultrasonography ; Ventricular Function, Left/*physiology ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the changes of deceleration capacity of rate (DC) and analyze its correlation with heart rate variability (HRV) and other factors in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods One hundred and twenty-nine patients with coronary heart disease (coronary heart disease group) and 109 healthy people (control group) were enrolled in this study. DC and HRV parameters were measured by using digitized 24 h Holter. The correlation between DC and HRV parameters, other factors were analyzed. Results The levels of DC, SDNN, SDANN, SDNNi, PNN50, TP, LF, HF, AC in coronary heart disease group were significantly lower than those in control group:(5.64±1.67) ms vs. (6.71±1.47) ms, (106.60±20.53) ms vs. (138.82±31.22) ms, (96.94±20.06) ms vs. (127.47±31.87) ms,(28.53±14.75) ms vs. (52.24±14.65) ms, 87.72%vs. 103.86%,(1 967.10±966.16) ms2/Hz vs. (2 846.70±1 443.41) ms2/Hz,(326.43±195.35) ms2/Hz vs.(457.64±254.30) ms2/Hz, 85.88 vs. 106.39, (-6.18±2.15) ms vs. (-7.00±2.51) ms, P<0.05 or<0.01. DC was correlated with SDNNi, PNN50,TP,LF, HF, AC both in total population or in coronary heart disease group and control group by using multiple linear correlation analysis ( r=0.586, 0.356, 0.531, 0.563, 0.435,-0.433, P<0.01). After removing confounders, DC was correlated with age, SDNNi, rMSSD, PNN50 and AC (P<0.01). Conclusions DC decreases in patients with coronary heart disease and is strong correlativity with HRV parameters. DC could be used for quantitative detection of autonomic nervous function.

Objective To explore the physiological characteristics of synaptic transmission of anterior horn early development in thorac-ic spinal cord mediated byα-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors in rats. Methods 36 Wistar rats were divided into embryonic 17 days group (E17, n=12), embryonic 20 days group (E20, n=12) and postnatal 7 days group (P7, n=12). Immuno-fluorescent staining of calmodulin-dependent protein kinaseⅡ(CaMKⅡ) was used to test the distribution of AMPA receptors. Multi-elec-trode array technique (MED-64 system) was used to test the changes of field excitatory post-synaptic potential (fEPSP) of synaptic transmis-sion mediated by AMPA receptor. Results There was small amount of CaMKⅡ-positive neurons existing in gray matter of spinal cord at E17, CaMKⅡ-positive neurons migrated to the center, and the number of neurons became more and more in E20 and P7 rats. The number of evoked fEPSP gradually increased in rats from E17 to P7, and could be blocked by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). The range of synaptic connection in spinal cord gray matter significantly reduced (P<0.001). Conclusion AMPA receptors participate in the early development of spinal cord in rats and act as the main excitatory receptor of functional synaptic connection in neural network of ventricornu.

The value of the left atrial volume tracking (LAVT) method in the evaluation of left atrial (LA) function in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) was examined in this study. Fifty-eight DM patients as DM group and 40 healthy people as normal control group were enrolled in this study. EUB-6500 echocardiographic imaging system with LAVT was applied to display and analyze the LA volume curve imaging on LV apical two and four chamber views. The maximal LA volume at end-systole (LAV(max)), LA volume at the onset of ECG-P wave (LAV(p)), the minimal LA volume at end-diastole (LAV(min)) from the LA volume curve were acquired and recorded. All values above were standardized by body surface area (BSA). Then the passive, active and total LA volume (LAVIpass, LAVIact, LAVItotal) and empting rate (%LAVIpass, %LAVIact, %LAVItotal), effective passive and active empting rate (%eLAVIpass, %eLAVIact), and the proportionality of passive empting volume and active empting volume were calculated. The LAVIp, LAVIact, LAVItotal, %LAVIact, %LAVItotal and %eLAVIact were significantly higher in the DM group than those in the control group, whereas the LAVIpass, %LAVIpass, %eLAVIpass and LAVIpass/act were lower (all P<0.05). For the LA volume change in DM, the active empting volume was enhanced at end-diastole. It was concluded that LAVT is a potentially useful tool to evaluate the function of LA.

Left ventricular remodeling index (LVRI) was assessed in patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE). RT3DE data of 18 patients with HHD, 20 patients with CAD and 22 normal controls (NC) were acquired. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV) and left ventricular end-diastolic epicardial volume (EDVepi ) were detected by RT3DE and two-dimensional echocardiography Simpson biplane method (2DE). LVRI (left ventricular mass /EDV) was calculated and compared. The results showed that LVRI measurements detected by RT3DE and 2DE showed significant differences inter-groups (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in NC group (P>0.05), but significant difference in HHD and CAD intra-group (P<0.05). There was good positive correlations between LVRI detected by RT3DE and 2DE in NC and HHD groups (r=0.69, P<0.01; r=0.68, P<0.01), but no significant correlation in CAD group (r=0.30, P>0.05). It was concluded that LVRI derived from RT3DE as a new index for evaluating left ventricular remodeling can provide more superiority to LVRI derived from 2DE.
Cardiomegaly/etiology ; Cardiomegaly/pathology ; Cardiomegaly/*ultrasonography ; Coronary Artery Disease/pathology ; Coronary Artery Disease/*ultrasonography ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional/*methods ; Hypertension/*complications ; Hypertension/ultrasonography ; Ventricular Remodeling/*physiology

The application of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT 3DE) in the diagnosis of double orifice mitral valve (DOMV) was explored. Five cases of DOMV were examined by using 2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and RT 3DE. The spatial morphology of malformed mitral valve and its change in hemodynamics were observed. DOMV associated with partial atrioventricular septal defect was found in 3 cases (in which 2 cases had cleft mitral valve) and isolated DOMV in 2 cases; and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation was detected in 3 cases, and mild mitral regurgitation in 1, and no regurgitation in 1 case; 1 case had complicated rhumatic heart disease. Three cases were preoperatively discovered by 2DE, while 2 missed (1 case was discovered postoperatively). Four cases were diagnosed by RT 3DE preoperatively, and 1 case was diagnosed postoperatively (not examined by RT 3DE preoperatively). It was suggested that RT 3DE is a reliable technique in the diagnosis of DOMV; it permitted comprehensive and noninvasive assessment of mitral valve and may supplement 2D TTE in the assessment of DOMV.

The value of the left atrial volume tracking (LAVT) method in the evaluation of left atrial (LA) function in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) was examined in this study. Fifty-eight DM patients as DM group and 40 healthy people as normal control group were enrolled in this study. EUB-6500 echocardiographic imaging system with LAVT was applied to display and analyze the LA volume curve imaging on LV apical two and four chamber views. The maximal LA volume at end-systole (LAV(max)), LA volume at the onset of ECG-P wave (LAV(p)), the minimal LA volume at end-diastole (LAV(min)) from the LA volume curve were acquired and recorded. All values above were standardized by body surface area (BSA). Then the passive, active and total LA volume (LAVIpass, LAVIact, LAVItotal) and empting rate (%LAVIpass, %LAVIact, %LAVItotal), effective passive and active empting rate (%eLAVIpass, %eLAVIact), and the proportionality of passive empting volume and active empting volume were calculated. The LAVIp, LAVIact, LAVItotal, %LAVIact, %LAVItotal and %eLAVIact were significantly higher in the DM group than those in the control group, whereas the LAVIpass, %LAVIpass, %eLAVIpass and LAVIpass/act were lower (all P<0.05). For the LA volume change in DM, the active empting volume was enhanced at end-diastole. It was concluded that LAVT is a potentially useful tool to evaluate the function of LA.
Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Function, Left ; physiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; physiopathology ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; methods ; Female ; Heart Atria ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organ Size

Objective:To observe the protective effect of deproteinized extract of calf blood (DECB)on the ethanol-induced liver injury of the mice,and to preliminaryly discuss its mechanism. Methods:Sixty healthy ICR mice were divided into control group,model group,positive drug group,low,medium and high doses of DECB groups (n=10).By intragastric administration,the mice in control group were given 20 mL·kg-1 saline solution, the mice in low,medium and high doses of DECB groups were administrated with 0.125,0.250,0.500 g·kg -1 DECB,and the mice in positive drug group were administrated with 0.63 g·kg -1 Hugan Tablets;once a day for 30 d. 1 h after the last administration,except control group,the mice in other groups were administrated with one-time grant of 50% ethanol 14 mL·kg -1 ,and fasted for 16 h to establish the models of acute alcohol liver injury.The endurance alcohol time and drunk time of the mice were determined,the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (ALT)and alanine transaminase (AST)activity in serum of the mice were detected,the levels of triglyceride (TG),glutathione (GSH)and malonic dialdehyde (MDA)in liver tissue were determined,and the pathological changes of liver tissue were detected.Results:Compared with model group,the drunk symptoms of the mice in different doses of DECB groups were obviously reduced,the endurance time of the mice in high dose of DECB group and positive drug group was prolonged (P <0.05),and the drinking time was shortened (P <0.05);the ALT and AST activities in serum in mediun and high doses of DECB groups were significantly lower than those in model group (P <0.05).Compared with model group,the MDA and TG levels in liver tissue of the mice in medium and high doses of DECB groups and positive drug group were obviously reduced,and the GSH levels were increased (P <0.05);compared with model group,the pathological damages of liver tissue of the mice in high dose of DECB group caused by ethanol were significantly reduced.Conclusion:DECB can improve ethanol-induced liver injury which may be related to the inhibition of hepatic oxidative stress response.

Objective To investigate pathogenic genes related to the phenotype of fetus with severely short limbs in the first and second trimester by whole exome sequencing (WES). Methods Thirteen fetuses with severely short limbs detected by ultrasonography in the first and second trimester admitted in Chinese PLA General Hospital from September 2016 to June 2018 were collected. All cases were performed induced abortion, 6 of which were carried out karyotype analysis of amniotic fluid at the same time. WES and copy number variations (CNV) were performed on specimens from fetal tissues after labor induction. The suspected pathogenic mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing reactions. Results No abnormal karyotypes or pathological CNV were found. In 10 fetuses, pathogenic or possibly pathogenic mutations were detected in the following genes: COL2A1, FGFR3, COL1A1, COL1A2, DYNC2LI1 and TRIP11, all of which were essential to skeletal development. The diagnostic yield of WES in the fetuses with severe short limbs was 10/13. Conclusions In the first and second trimester, most of the fetuses with extremely short limbs suffer from monogenic diseases. WES is likely to be a valuable diagnostic testing option for the fetuses with severe short limbs.

The application of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT 3DE) in the diagnosis of double orifice mitral valve (DOMV) was explored. Five cases of DOMV were examined by using 2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and RT 3DE. The spatial morphology of malformed mitral valve and its change in hemodynamics were observed. DOMV associated with partial atrioventricular septal defect was found in 3 cases (in which 2 cases had cleft mitral valve) and isolated DOMV in 2 cases; and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation was detected in 3 cases, and mild mitral regurgitation in 1, and no regurgitation in 1 case; 1 case had complicated rhumatic heart disease.Three cases were preoperatively discovered by 2DE, while 2 missed (1 case was discovered postoperatively). Four cases were diagnosed by RT 3DE preoperatively, and 1 case was diagnosed postoperatively (not examined by RT 3DE preoperatively). It was suggested that RT 3DE is a reliable technique in the diagnosis of DOMV; it permitted comprehensive and noninvasive assessment of mitral valve and may supplement 2D TTE in the assessment of DOMV.