Objective To investigate the role of nitric oxide synthase(NOS)in the regulation of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion(IR)injury in ovariectomized(OVX)rats.Methods A total of 132 female SD rats were subjected,and 48 of them were randomly divided into sham operation group,IR group,OVX group and combined group,with 12 in each group.In order to explore the role of endothelous NOS(eNOS)and inducible NOS(iNOS)in ovariectomization increasing myo-cardial IR injury,another 84 mice were divided into negative sham group,negative IR group,nega-tive combined group,eNOS+IR group,eNOS combined group,iNOS small interfering RNA(si-iNOS)+IR group and si-iNOS combined group,with 12 in each group.The mice of the corre-sponding groups were injected with adeno-associated virus(AAV)overexpressing eNOS or knoc-king down iNOS via tail vein before OVX modeling.Myocardial infarct size,serum levels of lac-tate dehydrogenase(LDH)and creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme(CK-MB),LVEF,LVFS,and expression levels of eNOS and iNOS in the myocardial tissues were measured.Results The com-bined group had significantly increased level of iNOS in myocardium,larger myocardial infarct size and elevated serum LDH and CK-MB levels,but decreased myocardial expression of eNOS and LVEF and LVFS values than the IR group(P＜0.05).When compared with the negative combined group,the myocardial infarct size and serum LDH and CK-MB levels were decreased[(23.51±3.22)％and(26.21±2.93)％vs(58.78±5.42)％,(176.31±15.48 and 169.52±17.12 vs 328.85±37.12 U/L,35.41±6.41 and 34.77±5.94 vs 88.73±9.14 U/L,P＜0.05],and the LVEF and LVFS values were increased[(41.31±3.12)％and(42.09±3.41)％vs(30.77± 2.15)％,(21.47±1.57)％and(21.32±1.42)％vs(15.92±1.33)％,P＜0.05]in the eNOS com-bined group and si-iNOS combined group.Conclusion The decrease of eNOS expression and in-crease of iNOS expression are related to the aggravation of myocardial IR injury in OVX rats.

N6-Methyladenosine (m⁶A) is the most abundant internal modification in eukaryotic mRNA, playing critical role in various bioprocesses. Like other epigenetic modifications, m⁶A modification can be catalyzed by the methyltransferase complex and erased dynamically to maintain cells homeostasis. Up to now, only two m⁶A demethylases have been reported, fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) and alkylation protein AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), involving in a wide range of mRNA biological progress, including mRNA shearing, export, metabolism and stability. Furthermore, they participate in many significantly biological signaling pathway, and contribute to the progress and development of cancer along with other diseases. In this review, we focus on the studies about structure, inhibitors development and biological function of FTO and ALKBH5.

Objective To evaluate the position of the fetal conus medullaris during pregnancy and its value in detecting tethered cord syndrome(TCS). Methods Nine hundred and seventy-four normal fetuses and 46 fetuses with TCS between 15 and 41 weeks gestation were involved in the study.Parameters D 1 (the distance between the end of the conus medullaris and the caudal edge of last vertebral body ossification center) and D2 (the distance from the end of the conus medullaris to the caudal skin namely the intersection point of the extending line of D1 and the skin) were measured in the caudal midsagittal plane of the spine. Sixty normal fetuses were chosed randomly for interobserver variability.Correlation analysis between these two parameters and gestational age(GA) were conducted and the normal reference value of these parameters were calculated in normal group. The ratios of growth parameters ( Biparietal diameter, Head circumference,Abdominal circumference,Femur length) to D1 and D2 were calculated separately to observe the difference of the ratios between two groups. All the parameters and ratios of normal fetuses were compared with that of TCS cases.Results There was no significant difference in D1 and D2 between two observers.A significant linear correlation between the parameters and GA was found in normal group,linear regression equations were D1=0.251 GA -2.265 cm (R2=0.926,P <0.01) and D2=0.267 GA -1.812 cm(R2=0.928,P <0.01),respectively.D1 and D2 were much lower in normal group than in abnormal group (all P <0.01). The ratios of the growth parameters to D1 and D2 were relatively stable and had statistically differences between two groups in different gestational age. Conclusions The methods that determination of D1 and D2 are simple and feasible,and could help to the prenatal diagnosis of TCS.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of acoustic radiation forcs impulse (ARFI)in quantitative evaluating placental elasticity.Methods The study population included 487 normal pregnant women,and ARFI generated shear wave velocity (SWV)was measured.On the basis of gestational ages, placental sites and sampling depths in region of interest (ROI),the normal population was divided into different groups.One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the discrepancy on the SWV values amomg the nomal placental sites or the sampling depths in ROI.Pearson correlation coefficient were used to assess the possible relationships between the normal placental SWV values and the different gestational ages or the placental grades.A total of 5 1 cases were diagnosed with severe preeclampsia,among them 25 cases were categorized as severe preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction (FGR).The placental SWV values were measured and compared with those of the normal population.The pathological examinations were performed on 50 normal and 5 1 abnormal placentas.Results Basing on the placental sites,the normal population were divided into three groups:anterior wall,lateral wall and posterior wall groups.Compared with the posterior wall group,the placental SWV values in the anterior wall or lateral wall group significantly decreased (P <0.05).No statistical significant difference was found between the anterior wall group and the lateral wall group.Basing on the distance from the sampling depths to the probe (range from 2 to 7.99 cm,and each additional 1 cm corresponding a group),the normal population were divided into six groups.There was statistical significant difference for the placental SWV values between the two groups of distance in the range of 2.0 to 5.99 cm and 6.0 to 7.99 cm (P <0.05).There was no statistical significant difference between the other two groups.The mean SWV value was (0.78±0.08 m/s)in the normal group. No significant relationships were found between the placental SWV values and the gestational ages of the normal population.However the placental SWV values were significantly related to the placental grades.For the placental SWV values,there was statistical significant difference between the normal group and the abnormal group (P <0.05).No statistical significant difference was found between the severe preeclampsia group and the severe preeclampsia with FGR group.The pathological examinations also showed significant changes in the abnormal group.Conclusions ARFI may quantitatively analyze the placental elasticity and make a difference between nomal and abnormal placenta.

OBJECTIVETo detect structural changes in the brain in fetuses with agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) and holoprosencephaly (HPE) in the first trimester.

METHODSThe ultrasound data were analyzed retrospectively in 620 normal singleton fetuses between 11 and 13(+6) gestational weeks, 5 fetuses diagnosed to have ACC, and 13 fetuses with HPE. The midbrain diameter (MD) and falx diameter (FD) were measured and their ratio (MD/FD) was calculated for comparative analysis.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found in the MD, FD, and MD/FD ratio between fetuses with ACC and HPE (P>0.05). Compared to the normal fetuses, all the fetuses with ACC and HPE showed significantly increased mean MD and MD/FD ratio (P<0.05); 4 (80%) fetuses with ACC and 11 (84.6%) with HPE had a reduced FD. All the fetuses with ACC and HPE had MD/FD ratios greater than 1, which were below 1 in all the normal fetuses.

CONCLUSIONIn the first trimester, fetuses with ACC and HPE have measurable abnormalities in the midbrain and falx area of the brain, and these changes, represented by abnormal midsagittal MD, FD and their ratio, can be of value in detecting ACC or HPE in fetuses in the first trimester.

Agenesis of Corpus Callosum ; diagnosis ; Corpus Callosum ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Objective To study the ultrasonic features and outcomes of VACTERL association fetuses. Methods From Jan 2003 to Sep 2013 in Shenzhen Maternity&Child Healthcare Hospital there were 55 fetuses diagnosed as VACTERL association, the prenatal ultrasonographic characteristics and outcomes were summarized. Results Ultrasonography showed that the incidence of 6 VACTERL association anomalies were:vertebral defects were 45.5%(25/55), anal atresia were 30.9%(46/55), cardiac malformations were 81.8%(45/55), tracheoesophageal ifstula/esophageal atresia were 32.7%(18/55), renal anomalies were 60.0%(33/55) and limb anomalies were 83.6%(17/55). All the 55 fetuses had 3 or more VACTERL association malformations and the characteristic ultrasonic features were as follows:(1) There were 39 cases (70.9%, 39/55) co-occur with three VACTERL malformations, the more common malformations were limb anomalies (33/39), cardiac malformations (31/39) and renal anomalies (21/39). (2) There were 13 cases (23.6%, 13/55) co-occur with four VACTERL malformations, the more common malformations were cardiac malformations (11/13), limb anomalies(10/13), renal anomalies (9/13) and tracheoesophageal ifstula/esophageal (8/13). (3) There were 3 cases (5.5%, 3/55) co-occur with ifve VACTERL malformations, they were all with anal atresia, cardiac malformations, renal anomalies and limb anomalies (3/3), and two were co-occur with vertebral defects (2/3). (4) No fetus co-occur with six VACTERL malformations. There were 29 cases (52.7%, 29/55) co-occur with other malformations, of which 21 cases (38.2%, 21/55) with single umbilical artery. All the 55 cases underwent labor induction. The results of postmortem appearance of 55 cases and autopsies of 9 cases were all consistent with prenatal ultrasound scan. Conclusions Fetuses with VACTERL association had characteristic prenatal ultrasound imaging, multiple malformations can be found and limb anomalies, cardiac malformations and renal anomalies are more common. Scanning the fetal structures from higher incidence to lower incidence of VACTERL association can be helpful to improve the diagnostic coincidence rate of VACTERL association. Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of VACTERL association can provide guidance for clinical obstetrical management.

Objective To summarize and analyze prenatal ultrasound and postnatal autopsy ifndings in fetuses with urorectal septum malformation sequence (URSMS). Methods An analysis of prenatal ultrsound ifndings and postnatal autopsy features was performed on eleven cases of fetuses with URSMS that were identiifed by ultrasonography at Shenzhen Maternity&Child Healthcare Hospital in the period of January 2003 to December 2012. Results Prenatal ultrasonography showed a large abdominal cystic mass concomitant with imperforate anus in eleven fetuses with URSMS. The cyst contained unilocular or bilocular cystic structures in two fetuses, and trilocular cystic structures in nine fetuses. The cyst was demonstrated as clear acoustic transmission in three fetuses and unclear in eight fetuses. Out of them, seven fetuses had kidney abnormalities, six had ascites, and three had enterolithiasis. The associated systemic abnormalities included tethered cord in two fetuses, single umbilical artery in two fetuses, sacrococcygeal dysplasia in one fetus, and myocardial noncompaction in one fetus. 21-trisomy was found in one fetus by chromosome examination. Eleven cases were all identiifed as female fetuses by autopsy ifndings, including a single perineal opening and ambiguous genitalia with clitoral hypertrophy and labial fusion. The internal genital abnormalities included double vagina or longitudinal vaginal septum in nine fetuses, double uterus or uterus bicornis in ten fetuses and vaginal dysplasia in one fetus. Conclusions URSMS is a complex congenital malformation, which includes abnormalities of the urinary system, reproductive system and gastrointestinal track. An abdominal cystic mass visualized by prenatal ultrasonography might be the distinctive lesion in female with URSMS, and have an important diagnostic value. The kidney abnormalities and ambiguous genitalia can contribute to the diagnosis of URSMS.

ObjectiveTo summarize prenatal ultrasound image features of Cantrell′s syndrome (Cantrell′s pentalogy).MethodsFrom January 2007 to December 2013 in Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, there were twenty cases diagnosed and conifrmed by postmortem as Cantrell′s syndrome. The prenatal ultrasound image features and outcomes were analyzed.ResultsAmong the twenty cases, eighteen were singleton and two were twins with the other normal fetus. Prenatal ultrasound image: two obvious ultrasound image features of ectopic heart and hight omphalocele (seventeen cases) or gastroschisis (three cases) were appeared in prenatal ultrasound of twenty cases. Fourteen cases were complete ectopic heart (Ectopic heart was located within the omphalocele in one case, ectopic heart was completely exposed in amniotic lfuid in thirteen cases), six cases were incomplete ectopic heart, three cases were ventricular septal defect in which one was associated with pulmonary stenosis, two cases were single atrium and single ventricle in which one was associated with a single arterial trunk, one case was tetralogy of Fallot, and six cases were without signiifcant heart abnormalities. Associated with other abnormalities: seventeen cases were associated with other abnormalities in twenty cases, in which eleven cases were spinal abnormalities, nine cases were umbilical cord abnormalities (short umbilical cord in six cases, single umbilical artery in two cases, short umbilical cord associated with single umbilical artery in one case), ifve cases were neurological abnormalities (exencephalia in four cases, encephalocele in one case), four cases were limb abnormalities, three cases were cheilopalatognathus, one case was giant bladder. Three cases weren′t associated with other abnormalities. Nuchal Translucency: in eight cases, nuchal translucency were measured in early pregnancy. Nuchal translucency of ifve cases were thick, one case was cervical hygroma in one of the two twins. Chromosome examination results: only three cases had chromosome examination in twenty cases, in which one case was trisomy 21, another two were chromosome normal. Fetal outcome and examination results: in twenty cases, one of the two twins can′t survive after birth, and the other one of two twins was reduced in intrauterine, so the specimen could not be obtained. Eighteen cases of singleton underwent labor induction. The results of postmortem appearance (nineteen cases) and autopsies (ifve cases) were all consistent with prenatal ultrasound scan.ConclusionsEctopic heart and hight omphalocele or gastroschisis appearing at the same time was the characteristic of Cantrell′s syndrome in prenatal ultrasound and other abnormalities may be part of the Cantrell′s syndrome spectrum. It is beneift to detect and diagnose Cantrell′s syndrome by prenatal ultrasound in the ifrst trimester.

Objective To establish the normal reference ranges of transabdominal ultrasound measurements of the posterior fossa structure in fetuses at 11 to 13+6 gestational weeks and explore their clinical value in screening open spina bifida (OSB). Methods Between January, 2013 and September, 541 randomly selected normal fetuses underwent nuchal translucency at the gestational age 11 to 13+6 weeks. The parameters of the posterior fossa were measured in mid-sagittal view of the fetal face and the axial view of the transverse cerebellum insonated through the anterior fontanel by transabdominal ultrasound to establish the normal reference ranges. The measurements were obtained from 3 fetuses with OSB for comparison with the reference ranges. Results In normal fetuses, the parameters of the posterior fossa measured in the two views showed no significant differences (P>0.05). Two high echogenic lines were observed in normal fetuses, as compared with one in fetuses with OSB representing the posterior border of the brain stem and the anterior border of the fourth ventricle. The line between the posterior border of the fourth ventricle and the anterior border of the cisterna magna was not displayed in fetuses with OSB. The anteroposterior diameters of the brain stem, the fourth ventricle, and cisterna magna all increased in positive correlation with the crown-lump length in normal fetuses. In the 3 OSB fetuses, the anteroposterior diameter of the brain stem exceeded the 95th percentile and the anteroposterior diameter of fourth ventrical-cisterner magena was below the 5th percentile of the reference range for CRL;the brain stem to fourth ventrical-cisterner magena anteroposterior diameter ratio was increased to above 1. Conclusion The established normal reference ranges of the parameters of fetal posterior fossa may provide assistance in early OSB detection. The absence of the posterior border of the fourth ventricle and the anterior border of the cisterna magna and a brainstem to fourth ventrical-cisterner magena anteroposterior diameter ratio greater than 1 can be indicative of OSB at 11 to 13+6 gestational weeks.

Objective To establish the normal reference ranges of transabdominal ultrasound measurements of the posterior fossa structure in fetuses at 11 to 13+6 gestational weeks and explore their clinical value in screening open spina bifida (OSB). Methods Between January, 2013 and September, 541 randomly selected normal fetuses underwent nuchal translucency at the gestational age 11 to 13+6 weeks. The parameters of the posterior fossa were measured in mid-sagittal view of the fetal face and the axial view of the transverse cerebellum insonated through the anterior fontanel by transabdominal ultrasound to establish the normal reference ranges. The measurements were obtained from 3 fetuses with OSB for comparison with the reference ranges. Results In normal fetuses, the parameters of the posterior fossa measured in the two views showed no significant differences (P>0.05). Two high echogenic lines were observed in normal fetuses, as compared with one in fetuses with OSB representing the posterior border of the brain stem and the anterior border of the fourth ventricle. The line between the posterior border of the fourth ventricle and the anterior border of the cisterna magna was not displayed in fetuses with OSB. The anteroposterior diameters of the brain stem, the fourth ventricle, and cisterna magna all increased in positive correlation with the crown-lump length in normal fetuses. In the 3 OSB fetuses, the anteroposterior diameter of the brain stem exceeded the 95th percentile and the anteroposterior diameter of fourth ventrical-cisterner magena was below the 5th percentile of the reference range for CRL;the brain stem to fourth ventrical-cisterner magena anteroposterior diameter ratio was increased to above 1. Conclusion The established normal reference ranges of the parameters of fetal posterior fossa may provide assistance in early OSB detection. The absence of the posterior border of the fourth ventricle and the anterior border of the cisterna magna and a brainstem to fourth ventrical-cisterner magena anteroposterior diameter ratio greater than 1 can be indicative of OSB at 11 to 13+6 gestational weeks.