Objective To assess the left ventricular(LV)segmental function by velocity vector imaging(VVI)in uremic patients with diffferent quantity of parathyroid hormone(PTH).Methods Sixty patients with uremia were divided into 2 groups according to the value of PTH:group A with PTH less than 3 times of upper normal limit,group B with PTH more than 3 times of upper normal limit.Normal control group was 30 healthy subj ects.All people were evaluated by VVI.The parameters,including the longitudinal systolic strain rate(SSR),diastolic strain rate(DSR),were analysed among the three groups.Results Compared with normal group,in group A and B,SSR,DSR in all segments were lower.Compared with group A,in group B,DSR were all significantly lower(P＜0.05),SSR in apex of laternal wall,medium of anterior septum wall,posterior wall,medium and apex of posterior septum wall and superior wall,base,medium and apex of anterior wall were significantly lower(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference of left ventricular ejection fraction between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusions VVI is a viable objective tool to quantitatively assess LV segmental function damaged by different quantity of PTH.

Objective To evaluate regional right ventricular longitudinal function in fetus using velocity vector imaging(VVI),and establish nomogram of right ventricle,Methods One hundreed and seventy healthy fetuses were divided into 5 groups according to the gestational age.Dynamic digital views of four chamber view were collected and analyzed offline.Velocity,strain and strain rate were calculated in systolic and diastolic period,respectively.Results Normal systolic and diastolic values for velocity,strain and strain rate were established.Tissue velocity gradually decreased from the base segment to the apical segment(P＜0.05),whereas strain and strain rate were stable(P＞0.05).Tissue velocity was gestationalage dependent(P＜0.05),whereas strain and strain rate were stable throughout gestation (P＞0.05).Conclusions Fetal myocardial velocity,strain and strain rate measurements are easy to obtain and reproducible.Increase in tissue velocity throughout gestation probably reflects the growth of the fetal heart,whereas intrinsic myocardial properties as measured by strain and strain rate do not change.

Objective: To investigate the association of the abnormal length of human Y chromosome with semen quality and the outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART). METHODS: Based on the karyotype, we assigned the patients undergoing ART to a normal control, a long Y chromosome (Y>18), and a short Y chromosome group (Y<22). We compared the semen parameters and numbers of embryos and high-quality embryos among the three groups of patients and performed statistical analysis of the obtained data using Chi-square distribution and t-test. RESULTS: Compared with the control, the Y>18 group showed a significantly lower incidence rate of asthenozoospermia (31.03% vs 8.33%, P <0.05) and a larger number of high-quality embryos (5.46 ± 4.54 vs 7.40 ± 5.49, P<0.05). Both the incidence rate of azoospermia and number of total embryos were remarkably lower in the control than in the Y<22 group (1.87% vs 16.47%, P <0.05; 8.60 ± 7.03 vs 10.00 ± 6.58, P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in the pregnancy rate between the Y>18 and Y<22 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Short Y chromosome may affect spermatogenesis, but the length of Y chromosome does not negatively influence the outcome of ART.
Asthenozoospermia ; genetics ; Azoospermia ; genetics ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; standards ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; Spermatogenesis ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate global cerebral blood flow perfusion in fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD)by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound (3D PD).Methods The vascular index (VI),flow index (FI)and vascular/flow index (VFI)in the global cerebral were prospectively compared in 1 12 fetuses with CHD and 1 12 normal fetuses using 3D PD.Correlations between the 3D PD indices and neurodevelopment scores were assessed.Results Compared with the controls,the VI,FI and VFI of the global brain were significantly increased in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and left sided obstructive lesions (LSOLs)(P <0.001).The mean psychomotor development index (PDI) and mental development index (MDI)scores were significantly lower than normal (P < 0.001 ).FI was positively correlated with PDI (r =0.342,P =0.029)and MDI (r =0.339,P =0.030).Conclusions Global cerebral blood flow perfusion was significantly increased in most fetuses with CHD and had association with neurodevelopment scores.3D PD ultrasound might help to identify cases of brain vasodilatation earlier and inform parental counseling.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of VVI assessment normal fetal segmental myocardial performance and to establish a nomogram of normal fetus.Methods Digital dynamic fourchamber imaging of 151 healthy fetus(divided 5 groups according to gestation)were collected,then the longitudinal velocity,strain and strain rate of interventricular septal and left lateral wall were measured in systolic and diastolic period respectively.Results Normal systolic and diastolic values for tissue velocitv.strain,and strain rate were established.Tissue velocity was age dependent,whereas strain and strain rate were stable throughout gestation(P＞0.05).Tissue velocity was gradually decreased from the base segment to the apical segment(P＜0.01),whereas strain and strain rate were stable among all segments in every group(P＞0.05).Conclusions Fetal myocardial velocity,strain,and strain rate measuraments are easy to obtain and reproducible,VVI is a novel noninvasive tool to assess quantitatively and objectivelv regional systolic and diastolic function in fetal heart,it is providing another useful modality for evaluating cardiac function.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of velocity vector imaging in the assessment of regional left ventricular longitudinal myocardial function in fetuses with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods Digital dynamic four-chamber views of 98 fetuses with GDM and 135 normal fetuses were collected and analyzed using velocity vector imaging. The regional tissue velocity, strain and strain rate of the interventricular septum and left lateral wall were measured in systole and diastole. Results Two hundred and seven of 233 cases were analyzed successfully. Systolic velocity(Vs) and diastolic velocity(Vd)were age-dependent, Vs and Vd were both gradually decreased from the basal segment to the apical segment in the left ventricle( P ＜0. 05). The Va after 32+0 weeks and Vd after 28+0 weeks and systolic strain(S),systolic strain rate(SRs) and diastolic strain rate(SRd) in left ventricle of fetuses with GDM after 24+0weeks were obviously lower than the corresponding parameters of normal fetuses ( P ＜0. 05). Conclusions Velocity vector imaging can evaluate the fetal regional left ventricular longitudinal myocardial function.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcome and prenatal diagnosis feasibility of fetal congenital cardiac diventiculum.Methods The data of 12 fetuses with congenital cardiac diventiculum were retrospectively reviewed.The prenatal and postnatal medical records,including the characteristics of diverticulum,presence of abnormalities,karyotype and the outcomes of each pregnancy were collected.Results The overall incidence of cardiac diventiculum was 0.03％ (12/40 564) and the rate of incidence between left and right ventricle was 2 ∶ 1.Mean size of diventiculum was (69.75 ± 28.73)mm2,mean diameter of the diventiculum neck was (3.58 ± 0.80) mm and mean thickness of diventiculum wall was (1.54± 0.29)mm.Seven cases (58.4％) as an isolated malformation,5 cases (41.6％) combined with cardiac defect and extracardiac abnormalities,2 cases (16.7 ％) with chromosomal abnormalities.Five cases underwent termination of pregnancy,1 case died in uterus and 6 cases were born live.The mean follow-up periods was (62.33±-36.52)month.Of the 6 follow-up cases,4 cases (66.7％) remained asymptomatic,one case underwent drug therapy because of arrhythmia and one case combined with VSD underwent operation.Conclusions Echocardiography could be an useful tool to demonstrate and monitor congenital cardiac diventiculum prenatally and postnatally.The outcome of cardiac diventiculum depends on the size,progression,and the combined abnormalities and complications.

Objective To investigate the regional cerebral blood flow perfusion in fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD)by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound (3D PD).Methods The vascular index (VI),flow index (FI)and vascular/flow index (VFI)in the main arterial territories [middle cerebral artery (MCA ),anterior cerebral artery (ACA ) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA )] were prospectively compared in 1 12 fetuses with CHD and 1 12 normal fetuses using 3D PD.Correlations between the 3D PD indices and neurodevelopment scores were assessed.Results Compared with the controls,the VI,FI and VFI of the three main arteries were significantly increased in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS)and left sided obstructive lesions (LSOL)(P < 0.001 ).The mean psychomotor development index (PDI)and mental development index (MDI)scores were significantly lower than normal (P <0.001).ACA VI and ACA VFI were positively correlated with PDI (r =0.377,P =0.01 5 and r =0.389,P = 0.012,respectively)but were not correlated with MDI.Conclusions Cerebral blood flow perfusion in three main arteries was significantly increased in fetuses with HLHS/LSOL,and blood flow perfusion in ACA area was significantly increased in fetuses with TGA.ACA-VI,ACA-FI had association with neurodevelopment scores.3D PD ultrasound might help to identify cases of brain vasodilatation earlier and inform parental counseling.

[Abstract] Objective To study the role of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) / stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) pathway in high altitude hypoxia preconditioning in rat. Methods Seventy-six adult male SD rats, which through fed in low-pressure oxygen chamber (altitude 5000 m) and Xining (altitude 2260 m) to establish the rat model of hypoxia preconditioning. Rats randomly divided into 6 groups: control group (Ctrl), high altitude hypoxic preconditioning 1 day group (HHP-1d), high altitude hypoxic preconditioning 4 days group (HHP-4d), high altitude hypoxic preconditioning 15 days group (HHP-15d), high altitude hypoxic preconditioning 30 days group (HHP-30d), medium altitude hypoxic preconditioning group (MHP). 7. 0 T small animal MRI was used to observe the intracranial structure, diameter of basilar artery and cerebral blood flow in the hippocampus and brainstem regions by the sequences of T2 weighted images (T2WI) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) in the groups of Ctrl, HHP-4d, HHP-30d and MHP. In each group, blood routine was tested, the concentrations of HIF-1α, SDF-1 in serum, platelet activating factor (PAF)and P-selectin (SELP) in plasma were detected by the method of ELISA. Results In the hypoxia preconditioning groups, intracranial structure and diameter of basilar artery had no significant difference, while cerebral blood flow in the regions of brainstem and hippocampus increased significantly (P<0. 05). Meanwhile, red blood cell and white blood cell increased significantly, while platelet decreased significantly in the groups of hypoxia preconditioning (P<0. 05). Red blood cell and platelet in MHP group were closer to Ctrl group. The concentrations of HIF-1α and SDF-1 (except HHP-1d group) increased significantly in hypoxia preconditioning groups (P<0. 05).The concentrations of PAF and SELP increased significantly in HHP-1d and HHP-15d groups. The concentration of PAF decreased significantly in the HHP-4d and HHP-30d groups, and SELP decreased significantly in HHP-4d group (P<0. 05). Conclusion Hypoxia preconditioning can increase oxygen storage and immune defense capacity, improve brain reserve capacity and play the effect of brain protection through HIF-1α/ SDF-1 pathway. The best effect preconditioning was feed at medium altitude (altitude 2260 m) for 30 days.

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a very common complication of liver transplantation, liver resection, and shock. At present, many studies have been conducted on HIRI, but there is still a lack of drugs for radical treatment in clinical practice. Many factors, such as related cells, molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways, reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress response, nitric oxide, and mitochondria, mediate the development and progression of HIRI, which leads to the decline of patients' quality of life and even endangers their life safety. Based on the pathogenesis of HIRI and related articles, this article summarizes the research advances in the prevention and treatment of HIRI with traditional Chinese medicine components, so as to provide theoretical support for basic research and clinical research on HIRI.