In this paper, we propose an image-based key frame gating method to reduce motion artifacts in intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) longitudinal cuts. The artifacts are mainly caused by the periodic relative displacement between blood vessels and the IVUS catheter due to cardiac motion. The method is achieved in four steps as following. Firstly, we convert IVUS image sequences to polar coordinates to cut down the amount of calculation. Secondly, we extracted a one-dimensional signal cluster reflecting cardiac motion by spectral analysis and filtering techniques. Thirdly, we designed a Butterworth band-pass filter for filtering the one-dimensional signal clusters. Fourthly, we retrieved the extremes of the filtered signal clusters to seek key frames to compose key-frames gated sequences. Experimental results showed that our algorithm was fast and the average frame processing time was 17ms. Observing the longitudinal viewpictures, we found that comparing to the original ones, the gated sequences had similar trend, less saw tooth shape, and good continuity. We selected 12 groups of clinical IVUS sequences [images (876 +/- 65 frames), coronary segments length (14.61 +/- 1.08 mm)] to calculate vessel volume, lumen volume, mean plaque burden of the original and gated sequences. Statistical results showed that, on one hand, both vessel volume and lumen volume measured of the gated sequences were significantly smaller than those of the original ones, and there was no significant difference on mean plaque burden between original and gated sequences, which met the need of the clinical diagnosis and treatment. On the other hand, variances of vessel area and lumen area of the gated sequences were significantly smaller than those of the original sequences, indicating that the gated sequences would be more stable than the original ones.
Algorithms ; Artifacts ; Heart ; Humans ; Motion ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

Objective To analyze the value of diffusion weighted imaging ( DWI) in assessing the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy of uterine cervix cancer .Methods Thirty one patients with LACC confirmed by pa-thology received conventional magnetic resonance imaging and DWI before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy . The variation of DWI image and ADC was evaluated before and after chemotherapy .Results The correlation be-tween maximum diameter of the tumor before treatment (37.10 ±11.23) and pretreatment ADC value (0.83 ± 0.12)was not statistically significant(correlation coefficient r=-0.1746,P=0.3475);the correlation between the maximum diameter of the tumor(24.03 ±5.65)and ADC value(1.10 ±0.16)after treatment was not statisti-cally significant(correlation coefficient r=-0.2077,P=0 2621.);the degree of tumor size before and after the treatment was correlated with the degree of ADC increase (P<0.05);Effective chemotherapy group of 20 cases, invalid group of 11 cases,ADC value of effective treatment group after treatment (0.95 ±0.13) was significantly higher than ADC value before chemotherapy (0.80 ±0.12),the change was statistically significant (P<0.05), while the difference between former ADC value(0.88 ±0.10)and ADC value after treatment(0.95 ±0.13)of in-effective group therapy was not statistically significant (P>0.05).Conclusion DWI sequence may be useful for early prediction and evaluation of curative effect to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for uterine cervical cancer .

Objective:To examine the occurrence of seizures and perioperative risk factors in children after obtaining cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods:Electroencephalograph (EEG) and cerebral oxygen saturation (ScO 2) were monitored in 87 patients (aged 3 days-110 months, with the median at 4.4 months) and they were admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) from May 2018 to April 2019, with 77 patients for 72 h after CPB and 10 cases with clinical seizures after CICU discharge for 8-180 h. Clinical data were recorded every 4 hours, including blood pressure, central venous pressure (CVP), temperature, arterial blood gases, lactate, doses of Dopamine, Milrinone, and Adrenalin, and daily C-reaction protein (CRP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP). Demographic data, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery(STAT) mortality classification and clinical outcomes (duration of mechanical ventilation, CICU and hospital stay, and death) were recorded. Results:Seizures occurred in 24 patients (27.6%) within 48 h after CPB.EEG seizures appeared in 7 patients, both EEG and clinical seizures in 7 patients, and clinical seizures in 10 patients.Three patients developed epilepsy.There were 2 hospital deaths and both had EEG seizures.Patients with seizures had higher STAT categories, longer operative time and worse clinical outcomes (all P<0.05). Univariate regression revealed that the occurrence of seizures was positively related to adrenalin, temperature, lactate level (all P<0.01), blood pressure, CVP (all P<0.05) and CRP ( P<0.1), and negatively correlated with arterial carbon dioxide tension[ pa(CO 2)], ScO 2 and dose of Milrinone (all P<0.05). In multivariate regression, only dose of Adrenalin ( P<0.001) and lactate level ( P<0.01) remained significant. Conclusions:The incidence of seizures was high in children after CPB.Numerous perioperative factors that were related to seizures were identified.The most significant risk factors were higher dose of adrenaline and lactate level.Studies on neurological injury after CPB are urgently needed in China in order to reduce brain injury and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Objective To evaluated the early and mid-term results of arterial switch operation (ASO) for patients with intramural coronary artery.Methods From September 2008 to March 2012,75 patients underwent ASO at Guangzhou Women and Children Medical Center for repair of transposition of the great arteries and Taussig-Bing anomaly.Among these patients,7patients (9.3％) had an intramural coronary artery.Mean age at operation was 2.4 months (2 days to 1 year) and mean body weight was(4.3 ±2.2) kg.The TGA and VSD in 3 cases,TGA/IVS in 2,and Taussig-Bing anomaly in 2.Among them 3 patients had an aortic arch anomaly,interruption of the aortic arch in 1 and coarctation of the aorta in 1.The individual coronary button technique was used in coronary transfer in 7 patients,of whom one patient required to unroof the intramural segment,an-other one required to unroof the intramural segment and enlarge with autologous pericardium the because of myocardial ischemia.There was 1 operative death because of low cardiac output syndrome.This patient underwent a coronary transfer combining aortic arch repair but without unroofing the stenotic intramural segment.The mortality was 14.2％.In the same period the mortality for 68 patients without an intramural coronary artery was 4.4％ (3/68).There was no statistical difference in mortalitv between the patients with and without an intramural coronary artery (P ＞ 0.05).Results 6 patients follow-up 4 to 47months.There was no late death.No intramural coronary artery obstruction was identified by cardiac computerize temography.All patients had normal ventricular function and were in NYHA class Ⅰ during follow-up.The intramural coronary artery is well known as a risk factor of ASO.Conclusion The technique of coronary transfer should be individually adapted to each anatomical situation.Individual technique for coronary transfer has excellent results.

Insolinoma is a rare disease,but with an increased incidence in recent years.From March 2003 to October 2010,16 patients with insulinoma had been admitted to the Nanfang Hospital,and the results of imaging investigation were compared with histopathological examination after operation.All cases had typical Whipple's triad,low plasma glucose and high plasma insulin concentrations. Sixteen tumors were found in total.The detection rate of ultrasonography was 44％ (7/16),and the detection rate of enhanced computed tomography (CT)and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were 67％ (8/16) and 75％ (6/8) respectively.The detection rate reached 88％ by combination of CT and MRI.Two patients had no abnormal findings in ultrasonography,CT and MRI,while positive results were found in the arterial stimulation procedure with venous sampiing (ASVS) in both patients.CT or MRI is the preferred approach for localization diagnosis of insulinoma. The ASVS achieves a distinct advantage in localization of insulinoma.

Objective To evaluate the results of surgical treatment for patients with heterotaxy syndrome and cardiac anomaly.Methods From September 2008 to October 2013,34 patients with heterotaxy syndrome underwent 46 cardiac operations at Guangzhou Women and Children Medical Center.22 were male,and 12 female.Mean age at operation was 22 months (4 months to 14 year).There were right atrial isomerism 24 cases,left atrial isomerism 10 cases.Only one had a single VSD,and others were all with complex cardiac anomaly,including complete atrioventricular canal defect 26 cases,tricuspid atresia 4 cases,mitral atresia 1 case,anomalous pulmonary venous connection 18 cases,pulmonary venous stenosis 4 cases,double superior vena cava 17 cases,and interrupted hepatic portion of the inferior vena cava 5 cases.Fontan procedure was performed in 5 patients,bidirectional Glenn in 13,Kawashima in 3,central shunt in 1,atrioventricular valve replacement in 5,and pulmonary artery banding in 5.Results There were 4 died during hospitalization.The follow-up duration was 1 month to 5 years.There were 2 died.The early to middle term mortality was 17.6％ (6/34).In the same period the mortality for 103 patients without heterotaxy syndrome underwent univentricular repair was 4.8％ (5/103).There was significant statistical difference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Right heart bypass operation remains the preferred palliative procedure for patients with heterotaxy syndrome,and the eraly and middle term results were satisfied.

Objective To review the outcomes of atrioventricular valve replacement in patients with functional single ventricle and evaluate risk factors for mortality.Methods Retrospectively reviewed our experience with atrioventricular valve (AVV replacement) in patients with functional single ventricle from January 2008 to December 2014.Outcome included mortality and valve-related complications.Results Thirteen patients required AVV replacement.Prosthetic valve type was St.Jude bileaflet mechanical mitral valve.Valve size ranged from 27 to 31 mm,including 27 mm in 2,29 mm in 7,and 31 mm in 4 patients.Median age at valve replacement was 4.5 years(range:1.2 years to 18.0 years).Concomitant procedures included bidirectional Glenn shunt in 3,pulmonary artery banding in 1,and repair of pulmonary vein stenosis in 1 patient.There were four early deaths with a perioperative mortality of 30.8％.Complications after AAV replacement included complete atrioventricuiar block in 1,intracerebral hemorrhage in 1 patient due to valve-related anticoagulation.No patient had perivalvular leakage.There was one late death during a mean follow-up of 3 years (range:0.5-5.0 years).Five-year Kaplan-Meier survival was 61.5％.Fisher exact probability test showed that lower weight(＜ 10 kg) at operation and prosthetic size/weight ratio ＞ 2.0 were risk factors for overall mortality.Of the survival patients,functional status is NYHA class Ⅰ in 3,class Ⅱ in 5.No patient developed valve-related complications.Conclusion Atrioventricular valve replacement can be performed in patients with functional single ventricle with acceptable mortality.Lower weight and increased prosthetic size/weight ratio at operation were significantly associated with worse survival.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF)-α inhibiting osteo blastdifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in the mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (MRL/lpr). Methods The femurs of MRL / lpr and C3He/HeJ mice were isolated, the bone structure were examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The proteins of TNF-α, NF-κB P50, bone morphogenetic protein -2 (BMP-2) and PSmad1/5/8 were measured by immunohistochemical stain. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) were isolated. After BMMSCs grew on the cover slips, the proteins on top of it were evaluated by immunohistochemistry stain. Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining was employed for the measurement of the early osteogenic differentiation. BMMSCs together with hydroxyapatite were embedded subcutaneously in the nude mice and eight weeks later, the ectopic bone formation was evaluated. The recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor type Ⅱantibody fusion protein (etanercept) or normal saline was subcutaneous injected to the mice with lupus. After four weeks, the expression of these proteins was observed and the ectopic bone formation was investigated. Image-Pro plus 6.0 software was employed for imagine analysis, and Studentˊs t-test was used to test the differences between 2 independent groups. Results MRL/lpr mice showed decreased volume of cortex and the percentage of cortex to the volume of bone of MRL/lpr mice was significantly lower compared to control groups and with C3He/HeJ mice (13.96±0.25 vs 23.61±0.71, n=3, P<0.01). The protein levels of both TNF-αand NF-κB P50 on the femur of MRL/lprl mice were higher than those of the control group (0.643±0.051 vs 0.405±0.022, 0.917±0.023 vs 0.650±0.032, n=3, P<0.01). The expressions of BMP-2 on the femur of MRL/lpr mice were lower than those of the C3He/HeJ mice (0.52 ±0.03 vs 0.72 ±0.03, n=3, P<0.01). There was no difference in the expression of PSmad1/5/8 on the femur between the two groups by immunohistochemistry detection (1.264 ±0.021 vs 1.301± 0.044, n=3, P>0.05). The expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB P50 in BMMSCs of MRL/lprl mice were higher than those of the C3He/HeJ (0.184±0.021 vs 0.136±0.013, 0.132±0.021 vs 0.097± 0.014, n=3, P<0.01), while BMP-2 and PSmad were lower than those of the control group (0.128±0.013 vs 0.216±0.221, 0.115±0.023 vs 0.196±0.034, n=3, P<0.01). After 7 days of BMP-2 stimulation, the activities of ALP of BMMSCs from MRL/lprl mice were reduced detected by ALP staining and the osteoblast differentiation of these cells were decreased than BMMSCs from the control mice by HE and Masson staining. The percentage of the cortex to the volume of bone of the etanercept injection MRL/lpr mice was higher than that of the control group (21.8±1.0 vs 14.3 ±0.6, n=3, P<0.01). Moreover, the proteins of TNF-α and NF-κB P50 on the femurs of such injected mice were lower than those of the control group (0.540±0.024 vs 0.682±0.031, 0.857±0.023 vs 1.098±0.044, n=3, P<0.05), while the expressions of BMP-2 were higher than the control group (0.99±0.04 vs 0.85±0.04, n=3, P<0.05). There was no difference in the PSmad1/5/8 expression on the bone of the two group of lupus mice (0.88 ±0.08 vs 0.84 ±0.04, n=3, P>0.05). The ectopic bone formation of BMMSCs of the etanercept injected MRL/lpr mice was higher than that of the normal saline injected mice, however, it was lower than that of the C3He/HeJ mice. Conclusion TNF-α inhibits osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells by depressing Smad signaling which may contribute to the osteoporosis of the lupus mice.

Objective: To summarize the characteristics of arrhythmia with the relevant factors affecting its prognosis in patients of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM). Methods: A total 283 AHCM patients with echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) conifrmed diagnosis in our hospital from 2005-01 to 2012-08 were summarized. The patients were divided into 2 groups: With arrhythmia group, n=103 and Without arrhythmia group,n=180. The endpoint event was followed-up by clinical and telephone visits in both groups and the relevant risk factors affecting AHCM prognosis were investigated by Cox regression analysis. Results: There were 269 patients ifnished the follow-up investigation, 98 in With arrhythmia group, 171 in Without arrhythmia group, and the death rate was 4.08% vs 1.17%, the occurrence of endpoint event was 18.37% vs 5.58%respectively. Cox regression analysis indicated that age (HR=23.051, 95% CI 1.08-1.068,P<0.005), left atrial diameter (HR=4.113, 95%CI 1.002-1.119,P=0.043) and NT-proBNP (HR= 18.653, 95% CI 3.433-26.650,P<0.005) were the independent risk factors affecting prognosis in AHCM patients. Conclusion: Arrhythmia is one of the common presentations of AHCM, it does not have much impact on survival, while it may cause ventricular ifbrillation and increase the occurrence of cardiovascular events.

Objective To discuss the relationship between cardio-vocal syndrome and pulmonary arterial hypertension in infants with congenital heart disease(CHD).Methods Based on the electronic bronchoscopy results,257 less than one-year-old infants with congenital heart disease were selected and divided into vocal cord paralysis positive group (31 cases) and negative group(226 cases).Factors including age,sex,body weight,pulmonary arterial hypertension degree and PA/AO value were compared between the two groups.The risk factors of left vocal cord paralysis were analyzed using logistic regression method.Results There were no significant differences in age and weight between left vocal cord paralysis positive group and negative group(P ＞0.05).While incidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension and PA/AO value of the positive group were significantly higher than those of the negative group (P ＜ 0.01).The incidence of left vocal cord paralysis in no,mild-moderate and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension groups were 1.39％,10.6％ and 22.0％ (P ＜ 0.05) respectively.Left vocal cord paralysis was positively correlated with the degree of pulmonary arterial hypertension (r =0.179,P ＜ 0.01) and PA/AO value (r =0.169,P ＜ 0.01).Pulmonary arterial hypertension was an independent risk factor of left vocal cord paralysis (P =0.005,OR =1.689).Conclusion Left vocal cord paralysis was significantly correlated with pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary artery dilatation.So pulmonary arterial hypertension should be one of the possible causes of cardio-vocal syndrome in infants with CHD.