Objective To observe the performance and safety of self-developed real-time three-dimensional intracardiac echocardiography(ICE)system(system).Methods The self-developed system was constructed using disposable sterile real-time three-dimensional ICE catheter(catheter)and multifunctional cart-mounted digital ultrasound imaging host(ultrasound host).The diameter of catheter was 10F,with effective length of 90 cm and two-dimensional array transducer array(840 elements)integrated at tip.The ultrasound host was connected to the catheter through matching connector.The performance of this system was evaluated with self-made experimental equipment and standard phantom,and live animal experiment was performed to observe its safety and imaging quality.Results The maximum imaging depth of this system was ≥60 mm.Its axial resolution was ≤1 mm and lateral resolution was ≤1 mm within the depth of 40 mm,the horizontal and vertical geometric position accuracy errors were ≤10％and ≤5％,respectively,while the image geometric distortion was ≤10％,and the measurement volume error was ≤30％.The catheter was successfully inserted into right atrium of pig through femoral vein under ultrasound guidance,smoothly passing through the vascular pathway without any bending or jamming with good controllability.The cardiac images of this system were clear,which completely displayed cardiac chamber structures,and the image resolution met diagnostic requirement.No injury related to interventional procedures was found in laboratory tests nor anatomical results.Conclusion The self-developed ICE system was stable and safe,and initial results showed it could meet clinical application expectations.

Objective:To explore the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on dysphagia in hemispheric stroke patients.Methods:Sixty-two hemispheric stroke patients with dysphagia were randomized into an ipsilateral group, a contralateral group and a bilateral group with 20 in each group. The ipsilateral and contralateral groups received tDCS over their ipsilesional and contralesional hemispheres, respectively, while in the bilateral group it was over both hemispheres. That was followed by conventional swallowing therapy. Before and after 2 weeks of the treatment, swallowing function was assessed using the modified Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MMASA) and a Swallow Severity scale (SSS). Linear regressions were evaluated to highlight the factors most influencing recovery from post-stroke hemispheric dysphagia.Results:After the treatments, the average MMASA and SSS scores had increased significantly in all three groups. There was no significant difference in the average post-treatment MMASA and SSS scores between the ipsilateral and contralateral groups, but the bilateral group showed significantly better average post-treatment MMASA and SSS scores compared to the other two groups. Linear regression analysis confirmed that the tDCS protocol (group allocation) was a significant predictor of recovery.Conclusion:Bilateral tDCS can effectively promote the recovery of swallowing function after a hemispheric stroke. It demonstrates greater therapeutic benefits than unilateral tDCS.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical characteristics of primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) and the prognoses.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data, prognosis and influencing factors of 18 PTL patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from Oct 2012 to Aug 2021.Results:There were 12 females and 6 males, average age of (60±11.5)years. Fifteen patients were complicated with hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Seventeen patients received treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy. Median follow-up time was 35.8 months. Four cases suffered from recurrence and progression, and 3 cases died. The 3-year overall survival rate(OS) was 94%, and the 5-year OS rate was 83%. The 3-year progression-free survival(PFS)rate was 89%, and the 5-year PFS rate was 79%. The OS rate and PFS rate of patients with HT were higher than those of patients without ( P<0.05). The 5-year OS rates were 100% vs.33% ( χ2=7.681, P=0.006), and the 3-year PFS rates were 93% vs. 67% respectively( χ2=5.368, P=0.021). The OS and PFS of patients who had undergone surgical treatment were higher than those of patients without ( P<0.01). The 5-year OS rates were 100% vs.40% ( χ2=8.579, P=0.003), and the 5-year PFS rates were 100% vs.30% ( χ2=12.267, P<0.001).The PFS rate of patients aged ≤60 years was higher than that of patients aged >60 years, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The 5-year PFS rates were 100% vs. 56% ( χ2=4.906, P=0.027). Conclusions:PTL shows a female predominance and tends to occur at a relatively advanced age. The overall prognosis of PTL patients is favorable after multidisciplinary treatment.Patients with HT or who have undergone surgical treatment tend to have relatively longer survival periods.

Objective To observe the performance and safety of self-developed real-time three-dimensional intracardiac echocardiography(ICE)system(system).Methods The self-developed system was constructed using disposable sterile real-time three-dimensional ICE catheter(catheter)and multifunctional cart-mounted digital ultrasound imaging host(ultrasound host).The diameter of catheter was 10F,with effective length of 90 cm and two-dimensional array transducer array(840 elements)integrated at tip.The ultrasound host was connected to the catheter through matching connector.The performance of this system was evaluated with self-made experimental equipment and standard phantom,and live animal experiment was performed to observe its safety and imaging quality.Results The maximum imaging depth of this system was ≥60 mm.Its axial resolution was ≤1 mm and lateral resolution was ≤1 mm within the depth of 40 mm,the horizontal and vertical geometric position accuracy errors were ≤10％and ≤5％,respectively,while the image geometric distortion was ≤10％,and the measurement volume error was ≤30％.The catheter was successfully inserted into right atrium of pig through femoral vein under ultrasound guidance,smoothly passing through the vascular pathway without any bending or jamming with good controllability.The cardiac images of this system were clear,which completely displayed cardiac chamber structures,and the image resolution met diagnostic requirement.No injury related to interventional procedures was found in laboratory tests nor anatomical results.Conclusion The self-developed ICE system was stable and safe,and initial results showed it could meet clinical application expectations.

Objective:To explore the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on dysphagia in hemispheric stroke patients.Methods:Sixty-two hemispheric stroke patients with dysphagia were randomized into an ipsilateral group, a contralateral group and a bilateral group with 20 in each group. The ipsilateral and contralateral groups received tDCS over their ipsilesional and contralesional hemispheres, respectively, while in the bilateral group it was over both hemispheres. That was followed by conventional swallowing therapy. Before and after 2 weeks of the treatment, swallowing function was assessed using the modified Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MMASA) and a Swallow Severity scale (SSS). Linear regressions were evaluated to highlight the factors most influencing recovery from post-stroke hemispheric dysphagia.Results:After the treatments, the average MMASA and SSS scores had increased significantly in all three groups. There was no significant difference in the average post-treatment MMASA and SSS scores between the ipsilateral and contralateral groups, but the bilateral group showed significantly better average post-treatment MMASA and SSS scores compared to the other two groups. Linear regression analysis confirmed that the tDCS protocol (group allocation) was a significant predictor of recovery.Conclusion:Bilateral tDCS can effectively promote the recovery of swallowing function after a hemispheric stroke. It demonstrates greater therapeutic benefits than unilateral tDCS.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical characteristics of primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) and the prognoses.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data, prognosis and influencing factors of 18 PTL patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from Oct 2012 to Aug 2021.Results:There were 12 females and 6 males, average age of (60±11.5)years. Fifteen patients were complicated with hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Seventeen patients received treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy. Median follow-up time was 35.8 months. Four cases suffered from recurrence and progression, and 3 cases died. The 3-year overall survival rate(OS) was 94%, and the 5-year OS rate was 83%. The 3-year progression-free survival(PFS)rate was 89%, and the 5-year PFS rate was 79%. The OS rate and PFS rate of patients with HT were higher than those of patients without ( P<0.05). The 5-year OS rates were 100% vs.33% ( χ2=7.681, P=0.006), and the 3-year PFS rates were 93% vs. 67% respectively( χ2=5.368, P=0.021). The OS and PFS of patients who had undergone surgical treatment were higher than those of patients without ( P<0.01). The 5-year OS rates were 100% vs.40% ( χ2=8.579, P=0.003), and the 5-year PFS rates were 100% vs.30% ( χ2=12.267, P<0.001).The PFS rate of patients aged ≤60 years was higher than that of patients aged >60 years, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The 5-year PFS rates were 100% vs. 56% ( χ2=4.906, P=0.027). Conclusions:PTL shows a female predominance and tends to occur at a relatively advanced age. The overall prognosis of PTL patients is favorable after multidisciplinary treatment.Patients with HT or who have undergone surgical treatment tend to have relatively longer survival periods.

Herpes simplex encephalitis is known to cause intracranial hypertension and cerebral edema. When cerebral edema occurs, venous sinuses are compressed, resulting in congestion and thrombosis. An arteriovenous fistula may form as a result, particularly in conjunction with superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. In this report, the authors describe a patient with protein S and C deficiency who developed venous sinus thrombosis and dural arteriovenous fistula after experiencing herpes simplex encephalitis.

Cryptogenic stroke (CS) is a type of stroke that can not find the exact cause after using the standard clinical examination procedure of stroke. In recent years, many studies have shown that patent foramen ovale (PFO) is closely associated with CS, and its main pathogenesis is paradoxical embolism. In clinical practice, ultrasound is often used for PFO screening. In the context of PFO, the secondary prevention of CS includes drug therapy and PFO closure, but the choice of treatment is still controversial. Screening and evaluation of possible PFO will help to develop secondary prevention strategies for patients with CS, especially those who can benefit from PFO closure.

Objective To analyze the correlation between intestinal flora changes and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)through 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing and bacterial culture. Methods From September 2018 to March 2019, 10 NEC cases and 6 controls were randomly selected in the neonatal ICU ward of Nanjing maternal and child health care hospital to analyze the 16S rRNA metagenomic diversity of the for intestinal flora. The fecal samples and corresponding environmental samples were corrected from 51 cases of NEC children and their case controls to isolate and culture Clostridium. Results The dispersion of samples within the case group was smaller than that of the control group, and the sample diversity was higher than that of the control group. In the isolation and culture of Clostridium, the overall detection rate of Clostridium in the case group was 43.14% (22/51), and the detection rate of Clostridium butyricum was the highest (19.61%, 10/51). There was a statistical difference between the two groups (χ²=5.85, P=0.015 58). All Clostridium strains did not carry the A, B and E type neurotoxin genes. Conclusion: Increased intestinal flora diversity, intestinal flora abundance and changes in the abundance of Clostridium may be closely related to the intestinal environment of children with NEC; Clostridium, especially Clostridium butyricum, may be related to the occurrence of NEC.

Fifty-two methyl xestospongoate analogues were designed, synthesized and evaluated for the antiproliferative activity. Starting from alkynyl methyl ester and diyne, methyl xestospongoate analogues 4(a-m)-7(a-m)were synthesized by Cadiot-Chodkiewitz coupling and Sonogashira coupling reactions. Their structures were identified by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HREI-MS. The cytotoxic inhibiton activities in vitro of some compounds were evaluated against human cancer cells A549 and P-388 by a CCK-8 method. Among them, compound 6k exhibited potent cell growth inhibitory activity against A549 and P-388 cancer cells, with IC50 values of 9. 36 and 9. 62 μmol/L, respectively.