Objeetive To evaluate the changes of left ventricular(LV) global and segmental volume, LV outlet pressure and their co-relationship, and to access LV global and segmental systolic function and mechanical asynchrony in different LV electro-mechanical patterns using full volume three-dimensional echocardiography(3DE). Methods Nineteen open-chest canine models were employed for the acquirement of LV full volume dynamic 3DE imaging during right atrial appendage (RAA), right ventricular apical (RVA), LV lateral wall(LVL) and LV apical(LVA). LV outlet end-systolic pressure(ESP) was recorded simultaneously. End-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume (EDV), global and segmental ejection fraction(EF) and systolic dyssynchrony index(SDI) of LV were measured and calculated using a dedicated workstation. The average ascending rate of LV pressure during systole(+ dp/dt) and the average descending systolic pressure(ESP), + dp/dt and - dp/dt during RVA pacing were lower than those during RAA pacing (P <0.05). SDI during RVA pacing was higher than that during RAA pacing(P<0.05). ESP, + dp/dtand - dp/dt during LVL and LVA pacing were lower than those during RAA pacing (P <0.05). There and LVA pacing was higher than that during RVA pacing (P <0.05),SD1 during LVL pacing was lower than that during RVA pacing (P <0.05), there was no significant difference of SDI between RVA and LVA and LVL pacing. Segmental EF of septum and apex during LVI. pacing were higher than those during LVA pacing (P <0.05). @Segmental EF of anterior and post septum and all apical segments (except lateral wall) during RVA pacing were lower than those during RAA pacing (P <0.05). Segmental EF of lateral and anterior wall during I.VI. pacing were lower than those during RAA pacing (P <0.05). Segmental EF of anterior wall and anterior septum during LVA pacing were lower than those during RAA parameters. Conclusions The global and minority segmental systolic function of LV during RAA pacing could be reduced compared with normal sinus rhythm. All the ventricular pacing worsen LV systolic and diastolic function compared with RAA pacing. LV systolic function during LVL pacing was superior to RVA pacing. During ventricular pacing,the systolic function at nearby segments of the pacing site was depressed.

Objective To assess subendocardial systolic circumferential strain(CS),radial strain(RS)and radial displacement(RD)of left ventricle(LV)in short-axis view and LV global systolic function in open-chest canine model with acute myocardial ischemia using velocity vector imaging(VVI),and to establish their spatial correlationships.Methods Left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD)was ligated for 20 minutes to induce acute myocardial ischemia in 12 open-chest canine model.At baseline and 20 minutes after ischemia,two-dimensional dynamic gray-scale images of three standard left ventricular short-axis views at the levels of mitral annulus,papillary muscle and apex and the images of LV apical fourchamber and two-chamber view were acquired and transfefred to VVI workstation for off-line analysis.Peak systolic CS,RS and RD of eighteen segments and of three global short-axis sections of LV were measured at subendocardium.and LV ejection fraction(LVEF)and stroke volume(SV)were calculated using Simpson's method.The differences and correlationships were analyzed between them.Resuls Compared with the value at baseline,LVEF decreased significantly(P＜0.05)after ischemia.The peak systolic subendocardial CS,RS and RD of the affected segments,global CS,RD at papillary muscle and apex views and global RS at apex view were significantly lower than those at baseline after ischemia(P＜0.05).There was a good linear correlationship between the peak systolic CS and RD of 17 segments(except the middle segment of LV lateral wall after ischemia)and each global short-axis level before and after ischemia(r=0.662-0.995,P＜0.05,P＜0.01 or P＜0.001),The peak systolic RS of six segments and each global short-axis level(except the apex level at baseline)was correlated with RD(r=0.580-0.916,P＜0.05,P＜0.01 or P＜0.001);There was not statistical correlationship between global RDs and SV as well as LVEF.Conclusions Subendocardial circumferential strain and radial displacement may sensitively reflect the changes of regional and global myocardial systolic function induced by acute myocardial ischemia.The significant correlationship between subendocardial circumferential systolic strain and radial displacement might indicate that circumferential deformation of myocardium result in the changes of the radial displacement mainly.

Objective To evaluate the changes of peak segmental and transmural radial displacement (RD) of left ventricle(LV) during acute myocardial ischemia with different LV pacing patterns. Methods Left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was ligated to induce acute myocardial ischemia in open-chest Beagle canine models ( n=10). Two-dimensional gray-scale images with overlaid tissue Doppler velocity imaging in three standard LV short-axis views were acquired with different pacing patterns in a randomized sequence in three complete cardiac cycles. Parameters including peak RD, peak RD time(RD-Tc) ,the standard deviation of TC(RD-TSD) of 12 segments and their myocardial layers(subend,mid,subepi) were measured and analyzed using TDI-Q workstation. Results ① There were no significant differences of peak RD between three myocardial layers of LV wall in each different pacing pattern group;There were no significant difference of peak RD from segments and transmural layers among the different LV pacing patterns. ②With acute myocardial ischemia the RD correlation of LV lateral pacing( LVL-P) and LV border pacing(LVB-P) patterns were higher than that of LV apical pacing(LVA-P) pattern between global segment and its subend, mid, subepi. ③ RD-Tc of 12 LV segments and their subend, mid, subepi appeared after T wave and there were no significant differences of RD-Tc among different LV pacing patterns. ④RD-TSD of the corresponding segments during LVL-P,LVA-P and LVB-P patterns were significant lower than those during acute yocardial ischemia(P<0. 05). Conclusions The existed RD correlation of LVA-P between subend.mid, subepi and the segment were lowest among the different ischemic LV pacing patterns; the synchronization of transmural RD could be recovered partly with LVL-P, LVA-P and LVB-P patterns. The echocardiographic study of LV transmural RD might be useful to reveal the segmental and the transmural myocardial mechanical state with different LV pacing patterns during acute ischemia in detail.

Objective To study the Hoxd 13 gene expression in the children with anorectal malformation (CAM)and normal children, and to explore the relationship between Hoxd 13 gene and CAM. Methods Hoxd 13 gene mRNAexpression was detected by RT- PCR in the rectal pouch in both 16 cases of anorectal malformations and 5 normalchildren. Results The expression level of Hoxd 13 gene mRNA was significantly higher in normal children than that inchildren with CAM (0.32+0.26 vs 0.73+0.10), ( P ＜0.01). Conclusions Hoxd 13 gene expression may beinvolved in the pathogenesis of anorectal malformation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the structural and functional changes of internal anal sphincter (IAS) in children with functional constipation (FC), and to evaluate the association between the thickness of IAS and the severity of clinical symptoms.

METHODSA total of 35 children with FC(constipation group,17 with incontinence) between June 2008 and December 2008 at the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University were evaluated using anal manometry and endosonography. These patients were compared to 23 hospitalized children who were excluded for digestive and endocrinal diseases(control group). A validated symptom score(SS) was used to assess the severity of symptoms. The sum of SS ranged between 0 and 65.

RESULTSAnorectal manometry showed reflex relaxation of IAS in response to distension of rectal balloon in all patients. Rectal perceptional threshold in FC group was significantly higher than that in the controls[(42.4 ± 19.5) ml vs.(29.1 ± 15.6) ml, P<0.05]. The lowest volume for inducing reflex relaxation of IAS was significantly higher than that in the controls [(55.6 ± 31.6) ml vs.(30.5 ±13.8) ml, P<0.05]. The thickening of IAS was noted in all the patients[(3.8 ± 1.7) mm vs.(2.5 ± 1.0) mm, P<0.05]. However, there was no significant difference between FC and control in median resting anal sphincter pressure[(170.8 ± 62.3) mm Hg vs. (161.3 ± 51.1) mm Hg, P>0.05]. The median symptom score was 9.3 ± 4.3 in the FC group. The thickness of IAS correlated significantly with total symptom severity score(r=0.407, P<0.05). There was no correlation between thickness of IAS and age, sex, or duration of disease(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSStructural and functional changes of internal anal sphincter exist in children with functional constipation. The thickness of internal anal sphincter correlates significantly with symptom severity.

Anal Canal ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Constipation ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Endosonography ; Female ; Humans ; Male

Objective To study clinical therapeutic effects of anus-preserving operation with resecting anal intersphincter to treat ultra-low rectal cancer through abdominal cavity. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 52 cases of ultra-low rectal cancer, with the inferior border of the cancers within 2 cm to anocutaneous line or 5 cm to the edge of anus treated by anus-preserving operation with resecting archos internal sphincter muscles through abdominal cavity and anus. There were 29 males, and 23 females, with age 28 to 76 years old, averaging 56. 3 years old. The inferior border of the cancer were within 4 cm to the edge of anus in 18 cases, including 6 cases of adenoma cancerization, and 5 cm to the anus in 34 cases. Pathologic diagnosis was well-differentiated adenocarcinoma in 21 cases, moderately differentiated in 29 cases, low differentiated in 2 cases, there were 6 cases with adenoma cancerization. 28 cases were Dukes A stage, and 24 B stage. Results The follow-up rate was 88. 4% (46/52), and the median time was 5.9 years. 2 case developed stoma leak (3.8%), and 3 developed stoma stenosis(5.7% ) after operation. The anus could roughly control defecation in 6 ～ 12 mouths after operation. The local recurrence rate was 5.7%, and the 5-year-survival rate was 72.7%. Conclusion By anus-preserving operation with resecting archos internal sphincter muscles, defecation controlling was well reserved by anus, and the 5-year-survival rate was not cut down. This operation is one of the safe and effective operations of anus-preserving procedure.

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of anus-preserving rectectomy by using telescopic anastomosis of colon and rectal mucosa for the middle and lower rectal cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out in 402 cases with middle and lower rectal cancer undergoing telescopic anastomosis for anus-preserving procedure, including 241 males and 161 females, age ranging from 21 to 99 years, averaging at 55. 7 years. The distal margins of the tumors were within 6 - 9 cm to anal verge. According to TNM staging, there were 123 cases in Stage Ⅰ , 244 cases in Stage Ⅱ , 31 cases in Stage Ⅲ,and 4 cases in Stage Ⅳ. Results 345(345/402, 85. 8% ) cases were followed up, the median time of the follow-up was 6. 1 years. Postoperative complications included 17(4.2%) cases of stomal leakage, 11(2.7% ) cases of stomal stenosis. All patients recovered normal defecating function 12-24 weeks post operation. Local recurrence rate was 6. 3% (22/345). Hepatic and lung metastasis was 13. 6% (47/345) and 2. 6% (9/345)respectively. The five year survival rate was 68. 7% (112/163). Conclusions Anuspreserving rectectomy by using telescopic anastomosis is safe and effective procedure to treat middle and lower rectal cancer, with the preservation of anal function and without the increasing rate of local recurrence.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Notch-1 and Jagged-2 in the normal and spastic segments of colon in patients with Hirschsprung disease(HD), and to explore the correlation of Notch-1 and Jagged-2 with pathogenesis of HD.

METHODSFrom 2005 to 2010, resected colon specimens of 30 cases with HD were selected for this study. Normal colonic segments were served as control group, while the transitional and spastic segments as experimental group. Immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting, and RT-PCR were applied to detect the expression of Notch-1 and Jagged-2.

RESULTSA large number of Notch-1 and Jagged-2 positive gangliocytes were observed in the control group, while none was observed in spastic segments. Significantly less Notch-1 and Jagged-2 positive gangliocytes were found in the transitional segments. Western blotting revealed that Notch-1 and Jagged-2 protein levels in spastic segments (0.19±0.02 and 0.13±0.04) were less than that in transitional segments and normal segments (0.58±0.05 and 0.52±0.04, 0.72±0.04 and 0.69±0.04, respectively)(P<0.05). RT-PCR revealed that Notch-1 and Jagged-2 mRNA levels were consistent with protein expression.

CONCLUSIONNotch-1 and Jagged-2 are not expressed in spastic colon segments, which may be associated with the pathogenesis of HD.

Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hirschsprung Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infant ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Jagged-2 Protein ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptor, Notch1 ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVEThe short-term efficacy of the transanal one-stage endorectal pull through operation for Hirschsprung's disease is satisfactory. However the long-term outcome of anorectal function has not been fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stooling pattern, colonic motility and anal sphincter performance after transanal one-stage pull through operation in children with Hirschsprung's disease.

METHODSFifty-eight children who underwent transanal one-stage pull through operation for Hirschsprung's disease were followed up. The mean follow-up duration was 15.8 months (range, 6-24 months). The stooling patterns of the patients were investigated by the informed questionnaire. Barium enema, defecography, total and segmental colonic transit time and the anorectal vector manometry were performed. Thirty- three healthy children were used as controls.

RESULTSMost of patients had normal stool consistency and frequency. Postoperative enterocolitis occurred in 3 patients, and constipation was found in five patients. Postoperative soiling was observed in 9 patients. None of the 58 patients had incontinence, cuff infection, anastomotic leak and mortality. The barium enema showed that the configuration of the colon recovered well in most of patients. Postopertive defecography showed the anorectal angle of all the patients was open, fixed and bigger than that of preoperation and the healthy controls (P < 0.01). Postoperatively, the mean total gastrointestinal transit time (TGITT), the left colonic transit time (LCTT) and rectosigmoid colonic transit time (RSTT) in the 58 patients were significantly shorter than preoperatively (P < 0.01) and were similar to those of the control group. The rectoanal inhibitory reflex was regained in 5 patients. The anal maximal pressure of the patients with constipation in resting and squeezing condition were significantly higher than those of the asymptomatic patients and controls (P < 0.05). The vector volume (VV) and vector symmetric index (VSI) in patients with soiling were significantly lower than those in preoperation and the controls (P < 0.05). The VSI in the patients with constipation was significantly higher compared with the controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe stooling function, colonic motility and anal sphincter performance manifest well in most of the patients after the transanal endorectal pull through operation for Hirschsprung's disease. Stooling disorders in few cases are probably related to decrease or disappearance of the sigmoid loops, dysfunction of the "neorectosigmoid", an open and fixed anorectal angle and achalasia of the internal anal sphincter.

Child, Preschool ; Colon ; physiopathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Transit ; Hirschsprung Disease ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Pressure ; Rectum ; physiopathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of Wnt5a protein in the terminal rectum of children with anorectal malformation (ARM) and the possible association between Wnt5a and ARM.

METHODSSpecimens were obtained from 20 children with ARM, 7 children with acquired rectovestibular fistula and 6 children with non-gastrointestinal tract disease (control group). The expression of Wnt5a protein in the terminal rectum was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSWnt5a was mainly expressed in the rectum of the myenteric nerve plexus, mucosal layer and submucosa in the control group. Compared with the control group, Wnt5a expression in the terminal rectum decreased significantly in the ARM group, and decreased more significantly in children with high ARM. The results of Western blot showed the expression of Wnt5a protein in the high, intermediate and low ARM groups were significantly lower than that in the acquired rectovestibular fistula and the control groups (P<0.01). The expression of Wnt5a protein in the high and the intermediate ARM groups were also lower than that in the low ARM group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the Wnt5a protein expression between the acquired rectovestibular fistula and the control groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of Wnt5a in the termina1 rectum decreases in children with ARM, suggesting Wnt5a may play an important role in the development of ARM.

Anal Canal ; abnormalities ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infant ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; analysis ; physiology ; Rectum ; abnormalities ; chemistry ; Wnt Proteins ; analysis ; physiology ; Wnt-5a Protein