Right ventricular function is independently associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with various cardiovascular diseases including pulmonary hypertension (PH). The complex geometry and mode of contractility means the right ventricle (RV) inlet and outlet are not in line; hence, 2-dimensional echocardiography fails to accurately quantify RV volumes and function in such patients. Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) allows for reliable and reproducible quantification of RV volumes and function by overcoming these limitations of conventional echocardiography. This review focuses on the 3DE assessment of RV function in patients with PH and discusses the following points: (1) acquiring an RV data set for 3DE imaging, including details of all available 3DE systems and software utilized in daily practice; (2) the reliability and feasibility of RV remodeling measured with 3DE with different modalities in patients with PH; and (3) the prognostic value of 3DE-derived RV function in such patients.

Right ventricular function is independently associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with various cardiovascular diseases including pulmonary hypertension (PH). The complex geometry and mode of contractility means the right ventricle (RV) inlet and outlet are not in line; hence, 2-dimensional echocardiography fails to accurately quantify RV volumes and function in such patients. Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) allows for reliable and reproducible quantification of RV volumes and function by overcoming these limitations of conventional echocardiography. This review focuses on the 3DE assessment of RV function in patients with PH and discusses the following points: (1) acquiring an RV data set for 3DE imaging, including details of all available 3DE systems and software utilized in daily practice; (2) the reliability and feasibility of RV remodeling measured with 3DE with different modalities in patients with PH; and (3) the prognostic value of 3DE-derived RV function in such patients.

Objective To explore the effect of beraprost sodium (BPS) on hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery hypertension (HPH) in rats and the expression of oxygen-sensitive Kv channels in pulmonary artery smooth muscle (PASM).Methods The HPH model of rats was established by exposing rats to low-pressure and low-oxygen cabin which was auto-modulated for 8h every day.Rats in the BPS group were given an intragastric administration of BPS [300 μg/(kg · d)],while those in the control group and HPH group were given an intragastric administration of 3 ml/kg of 0.9％ saline.After 4 weeks,the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was measured and right heart ventricle hypertrophy index (RVHI) was calculated;pulmonary artery remodeling was evaluated by HE staining;the expressions of Kv 1.2,Kv 1.5 and Kv2.1 in the pulmonary artery were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot.Results The HPH model was successfully established in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia for 4 weeks.Compared with those in HPH group,mPAP,RVHI and pulmonary artery remodeling were decreased in BPS group [mPAP:(13.48±2.18)mmHg vs.(23.87±2.23)mmHg vs.(17.09±1.20)mmHg;RVHI:0.28±0.02 vs.0.46±0.03 vs.0.36±0.04;％ area of medial smooth muscle:35.72±6.58 vs.68.52±5.64 vs.46.58±8.43;P＜0.05],and the mRNA and protein expressions of Kv 1.2,Kv 1.5 and Kv 2.1 were increased (relative protein expression level:Kv1.2,0.78±0.10 vs.0.15±0.03 vs.0.57±0.13;Kv1.5,0.61±0.10 vs.0.31±0.05 vs.0.59±0.13;Kv2.1,0.29±0.05 vs.0.10±0.02 vs.0.28±0.07;P＜0.05).Conclusion BPS can improve pulmonary arterial hypertension induced by hypoxia,and upregulate the decreased mRNA and protein expressions of Kv 1.2,Kv 1.5 and Kv 2.1 in pulmonary artery.

Objective To study the inhibitory action of docetaxel (DOC) on the proliferation of HeLa and SiHa cells. Methods Cell morphological changes were observed with inverted phase contrast microscope. MTT was adopted to test and calculate the cell inhibition ratio. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle. Results DOC had an obvious concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of both HeLa and SiHa cells. The inhibition ratio of DOC on SiHa was significantly higher than that on HeLa (P<0.05). DOC blocked HeLa at G2/M phase. Under the effect of DOC, the cell cycle of SiHa was not changed much. Conclusion DOC has an obvious inhibitory action on both HeLa and SiHa cells, which shows a promising prospect of DOC in clinical treatment of cervical cancer.

Objective To investigate the change of plasma ghrelin level and explore the related factors of ghrelin alteration in elderly hypertensive patients with psychological distress. Methods A total of 300 elders, who were screened with Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) for psychological stress and somato-psychological manifestations respectively, were divided into hypertension group (n=148) and non-hypertension group (n=152). Their blood samples were collected to measure the plasma level of ghrelin and total cortisol on the same day. Results The incidences of anxiety and depression were 27.7% and 11.7%, respectively, in all the enrolled elders. However, the rates of psychological distress, particularly anxiety, were significantly higher in the hypertensive elders than in the non-hypertensive ones (43.2% vs. 12.5%). Anxiety was positively related to the cortisol level but negatively related to the plasma ghrelin level, and the latter two were negatively correlated with each other. Conclusion Chronic increase of plasma cortisol induced by long-term anxiety can lead to the reduction of ghrelin level, which then adversely affects blood pressure in elders with psychological distress. Therefore, ghrelin might be a selective antihypertensive medicine for hypertensive elders with anxiety.

The morbidity of pregnant related diseases and pregnant complications become higher and higher in China, such as pregnant obesity, pregnant hypertension, pregnant psychological disorder etc. which were common in western countries in the past. Dystocia and abnormal birth are increasing. The ration of operation in obstetrics to vaginal delivery is growing. These are partially due to the less exercise of mothers in pregnancy. Exercise during pregnancy is significant to the mothers as well as their children, which is an effective method to prevent or treat the diseases mentioned.