Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of eculizumab in treating acute attacks of aquaporin-4 antibody(AQP4-IgG)positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder(NMOSD).Methods:Six patients with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD treated with eculizumab at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from August 2023 to April 2024 were included.The patients' clinical characteristics, changes in scores of neurological function, pain and spasm before and after eculizumab treatment, and adverse drug reactions during the treatment period were described, and the data were subjected to Friedman test using SPSS 25.0.Results:The median score of expanded disability status scale in the six patients decreased from 3.25 before treatment to 1.25 after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=44.77, P<0.01).The functional status score showed noticeable improvement as early as week 1, demonstrating greater sensitivity to treatment response.Three patients experienced moderate to severe pain before treatment, with a mean pain score of 6, which reduced to 4.67 and 1.33 at week 2 and 6, respectively( F=29.17, P<0.05).Two patients reported spasms before treatment, with a mean score of 3.00, which decreased to 2.00, 1.50, and 1.00 at week 2, 3, and 6 after treatment, respectively( F=18.00, P>0.05).No serious adverse reactions were reported during the treatment. Conclusion:Eculizumab can effectively improve the neurological function and alleviate pain in patients with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD during acute attacks, and demonstrate good safety.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of eculizumab in treating acute attacks of aquaporin-4 antibody(AQP4-IgG)positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder(NMOSD).Methods:Six patients with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD treated with eculizumab at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from August 2023 to April 2024 were included.The patients' clinical characteristics, changes in scores of neurological function, pain and spasm before and after eculizumab treatment, and adverse drug reactions during the treatment period were described, and the data were subjected to Friedman test using SPSS 25.0.Results:The median score of expanded disability status scale in the six patients decreased from 3.25 before treatment to 1.25 after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=44.77, P<0.01).The functional status score showed noticeable improvement as early as week 1, demonstrating greater sensitivity to treatment response.Three patients experienced moderate to severe pain before treatment, with a mean pain score of 6, which reduced to 4.67 and 1.33 at week 2 and 6, respectively( F=29.17, P<0.05).Two patients reported spasms before treatment, with a mean score of 3.00, which decreased to 2.00, 1.50, and 1.00 at week 2, 3, and 6 after treatment, respectively( F=18.00, P>0.05).No serious adverse reactions were reported during the treatment. Conclusion:Eculizumab can effectively improve the neurological function and alleviate pain in patients with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD during acute attacks, and demonstrate good safety.

In recent years, ultrasound elastography, as a new technique for evaluating soft tissue elasticity, has been progressively used in musculoskeletal system. Shear-wave elastography (SWE) is considered to be more objective, quantitative, and reproducible than other ultrasonic elastography techniques with increasing applications to the musculoskeletal system. A number of studies have shown that SWE has high application value in determining severity and prognosis of the musculoskeletal tissue diseases (including tendons, muscles, nerves and ligaments). This article describes the applications of SWE in the evaluation of musculoskeletal system.

Objective:The purpose of our study was to assess the clinical value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of retroaortic left renal vein (RLRV) behind abdominal aorta.Methods:The ultrasound images of patients with RLRV diagnosed by ultrasound in Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from 2013 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The general information, clinical symptoms, ultrasound images and other clinical data of the patients were collected and analyzed.Results:RLRV was detected in 16(0.46%) cases of the 3 519 patients from 2013 to 2018 using ultrasonography, and the male to female ratio was 11 to 5. All patients presented with hematuria, including 7 patients with other symptoms, such as left flank pain. Ultrasound were firstly performed in all patients. Of the 16 patients, 15(93.75%) cases were of complete retroaortic type Ⅰ, including 13(81.25%) cases with left renal vein compression and 2(12.5%) cases with complete retroaortic type without left renal vein compression. In 16 cases, 1 case (6.25%) was type Ⅲ, with compression of both branches.Conclusions:Ultrasound may be the preferred method for the left renal vein examination when a clinical suspicion of Nutcracker syndrome is required. Ultrasound can clearly show the left renal vein in most patients, to determine whether the left renal vein is mutated or compressed. Ultrasound has the highest sensitivity for detecting the type Ⅰ, which is not easy to misdiagnose. However, type Ⅲ is easy to misdiagnosis. Whereas the type Ⅱ and type Ⅳ is difficult to detect using ultrasound, which may be related to the limitations of ultrasound imaging.

Objective:To analyze the diagnostic value of thickness ratio between noncompacted and compacted myocardium (NC/C ratio) measured by echocardiography at end-systole and end-diastole comparatively in left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC).Methods:Thirty-five patients with suspected LVNC were collected and underwent conventional (2DE) and left ventricular opacification (LVO) in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from June 2019 to June 2020. The distribution and detection rate of two-layered segments, non-compaction (NC) segments and their NC/C ratios were comparatively analyzed at end-diastole and end-systole using 2DE, LVO and combined techniques respectively. With the diagnostic criteria of end-diastolic NC/C ratio>2.3 or end-systolic NC/C ratio>2.0, echocardiographic results were also recorded and compared with cMRI results.Results:Compared with 2DE, the number of detected segments was increased ( P<0.001), but the numbers of two-layered segments and NC segments were not significantly improved in end-systole using 2DE combined with LVO ( P>0.006). The diagnostic accuracy was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). However, when observing in end-diastole, the detected numbers of 3 kinds of segments were significantly increased using 2DE+ LVO in comparison with 2DE (all P<0.001), and the diagnostic accuracy was also significantly improved ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the detected rates of two-layered and NC semgents between 2DE+ LVO and cMRI ( P>0.006). 2DE+ LVO in end-diastole resulted in the highest diagnostic sensitivity (88.9%) and accuracy (85.7%), and also the largest area under ROC curve (0.95). Conclusions:The combination of 2DE and LVO can detect more NC segments, and diagnostic accuracy of end-diastolic NC/C ratio is higher than that in end-systolic in patients with LVNC.

Objective:To explore the feasibility, accuracy and reproducibility of a novel, fully automated three-dimensional echocardiography right ventricular(RV) quantification software(3D Anto RV) to evaluate the RV volume and RV ejection fraction (RVEF) using artificial intelligence in patients after heart transplantation (HT) comparing with the gold reference-cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).Methods:Forty-six patients after HT who were scheduled for echocardiogram at their routine follow-up examinations and also agreed to undergo CMR examination within the following 24 hours in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from October 2018 to June 2019 were prospectively included. The right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESV), right ventricular stroke volume (RVSV) and RVEF of HT patients were measured by CMR 3D Auto RV and conventional semi-automated three-dimensional echocardiography RV quantification software (Tomtec 4D RV function 2.0). The results of the 3D Auto RV and conventional semi-automated Tomtec were respectively compared with CMR using paired two-tailed student′s t-tests, Pearson correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman analyses. Results:The feasibility of the 3D Auto RV was 87%.The fully automated analysis realized in 27 (59%) patients by 3D Auto RV and the analysis time required only (12±1)s. The results of the remaining 19 (41%) patients needed manual adjustment and the mean analysis time in manual adjustment was also <2 min that was shorter than the conventional semi-automated three-dimensional echocardiography RV quantification software[(108±15)s vs (160±34)s, P<0.001]. For the results of RV volumes: There were good correlations between the 3D Auto RV and CMR, conventional semi-automated Tomtec and CMR for the measurements of RVEDV, RVESV and RVSV ( r=0.77-0.84, all P<0.001). In addition, compared with CMR, although there were significantly underestimated RV volumes by the 3D Auto RV and conventional semi-automated Tomtec, the negative bias was smaller in the 3D Auto RV than the conventional semi-automated Tomtec. For the results of RVEF: the corresponding RVEF derived from 3D Auto RV and CMR showed an excellent correlation and consistency ( r=0.84, P<0.001; bias=-1.1%, Limit of agreement=-8.1%-6.0%). In addition, the correlations between the manual adjustment by 3D Auto RV and the CMR ( r=0.63-0.72, all P<0.001) was lower than the correlations between the 3D Auto RV and the CMR ( r=0.76-0.82, all P<0.001) for RV volumes and RVEF.Finally, 3D Auto RV had a good reproducibility. Conclusions:The new fully 3D Auto RV quantification software underestimate RV volumes that less than the conventional semi-automated Tomtec. And the 3D Auto RV quantification software can accurately evaluate the RVEF in patients after HT with rapid analysis and higher reproducibility, which may also support the routine adoption of this method during follow-ups of HT patients in the daily clinical workflow.

Objective:To investigate the application of post-mortem tissue sampling under ultrasonography guidance in the autopsy of COVID-19 cases.Methods:Ultrasound-guided post-mortem tissue sampling of heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen were performed in 24 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from Feb 20 to Mar 28, 2020. Seventeen males and seven females aged 39-91(66.6±10.6) years old were enrolled. The total time required for each post-mortem sampling was recorded, and the size of the samples collected from each organ was measured. The success rate of ultrasound-guided post-mortem tissue sampling for each organ was calculated.Results:Ultrasound images could clearly show the needle path and enabled accurate placement of the needle within the target organs, including heart, lung, liver, kidney, and spleen. The total time required for sampling was about 32-54 (39.8±5.7)min. The lengths of heart, lung, liver, kidney, and spleen tissues collected by ultrasound-guided sampling were 10(8, 14)mm, 13(12, 15)mm, 14(13, 15)mm, 13(11, 15)mm, 14(13, 15)mm, respectively. The success rates of heart, lung, liver, kidney, and spleen tissue sampling under ultrasound guidance were 87.5% (21/24), 91.7%(44/48), 100%(24/24), 89.6%(43/48) and 83.3%(20/24), respectively.Conclusions:Post-mortem sampling under ultrasonography guidance may be a rapid and reliable method for collecting of heart, lung, liver, kidney, and spleen tissues in the autopsy of COVID-19 cases.

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of vector flow mapping (VFM) in assessment of early cardiac dysfunction in aortic stenosis (AS) patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).Methods:The clinical study consisted of 37 patients with various degrees of AS (LVEF>50%) from October 2015 to February 2017 in Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, including 16 mild to moderate ones (AS1 group ) and 21 severe ones ( AS2 group ). A group of 35 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers were selected as control group. Using Hitachi Aloka Prosound F75 color Doppler ultrasound diagnostic system, general two-dimensional parameters of left ventricular structure and function were measured. Furthermore, standard dynamic apical long axis view color Doppler flow images during 3 completed cardiac cycles were acquired for DAS-RS1 off-line workstation.Based on time-flow curve(T-F curve) of left ventricle, ECG, and the open-close of valves, the diastole period of left ventricle was divided into the isovolumic relaxation phase(P1), rapid filling phase(P2), slow filling phase(P3), atria contract phase (P4), and total diastolic phase(P0); the systole period was divided into isovolumetric contraction phase (P5), rapid ejecting phase(P6), slow ejecting phase(P7), and total systolic phase(P8). The left ventricular energy loss (EL) of three groups were acquired in all phases.Results:Left ventricular EL: ①Three peaks of EL appeared in P2, P4 and P6 respectively and total diastolic EL was almost equal to systolic. ②Compared with control group, the EL values of AS1 group increased in all phases, but only in P4, P7 and P0 with significant differences ( P<0.05). ③Compared with the other two groups, the EL values in AS2 group increased significantly in all phases of AS2 group ( P<0.01). Correlation analysis: ①For control group and AS group, there were both significant positive correlations between P0-EL, P8-EL and LVMI ( r=0.561, 0.585; 0.635, 0.652 respectively; P<0.01). ②There were both significant positive correlations between P2-EL and E, e′( r=0.623, 0.537; 0.576, 0.502 respectively; P<0.01), while P4-EL and A( r=0.482, 0.555, P<0.01). ③There were both significant positive correlations between P0-EL, P8-EL and E/e′( r=0.480, 0.459; 0.673, 0.590 respectively; P<0.01) and negative correlations between P0-EL, P8-EL and LVEF ( r=-0.537, -0.596; -0.569, -0.625 respectively; P<0.01). Conclusions:Quantitative evaluation of left ventricular EL by VFM technique is expected to provide a sensitive indicator for evaluating the cardiac structure and functional status in AS patients with normal LVEF.

OBJECTIVE： To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Xingpi yang’er granules（XYG） combined with Clostridium butyricum live powder （CBLP） in the treatment of pediatric dyspeptic diarrhea， and provide evidence-based reference for clinical medication. METHODS： Retrieved from Cochrane Library， PubMed， Embase， CBM， CNKI， VIP and Wanfang database， randomized controlled trials （RCTs） about XYG combined with CBLP（trial group）vs. CBLP alone（control group）in the treatment of pediatric dyspeptic diarrhea were collected. After literature screening， data extraction and quality evaluation with Cochrane system evaluator manual 5.1.0 bias risk evaluation tool， Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.3 software. TSA 0.9 software was used for trail sequential analysis. RESULTS： A total of 8 RCTs with 857 participants were included. Total response rate of trial group [RR＝1.20，95％CI（1.13，1.28），P＜0.000 01] was significantly higher than that of control group. Abdominal pain relief time [MD＝－1.18，95％CI（－1.42，－0.94），P＜0.000 01]， abdominal distension relief time [MD＝－1.32， 95％CI（－1.94，－0.70），P＜0.000 1]， diarrhea relief time [MD＝－2.07， 95％CI（－2.38，－1.76），P＜0.000 01]， the time of stool traits returned to normal[MD＝－2.16，95％CI（－2.43，－1.88）， P＜0.000 01] in trial group were significantly shorter than control group. The stool frequency [MD＝－1.72，95％CI（－2.18，－1.24）， P＜0.000 01] in trial group were significantly less than control group. The incidence of ADR in trial group was significantly lower than control group （P＜0.05）， or there was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR between 2 groups （P＞0.05）， or no significant ADR was founded in 2 groups. Trial sequential analysis showed that the evidence of total response rate of XYG combined with CBLP in the treatment of pediatric dyspeptic diarrhea was accurate. CONCLUSIONS： XYG combined with CBLP is effective and safe for pediatric dyspeptic diarrhea.

Objective To assess the peripheral arterial structural and elastic remodeling in patients with lower extremity atherosclerotic disease (LEAD).Methods Thirty-one patients with LEAD and 34 age-,sex-matched healthy subjects (control group) were enrolled in this study.The intima-media thickness (IMT),diameter (D) and parameters of arterial stiffness (β,pulse wave velocity (PWVβ)) were measured by acquiring the longitudinal view of left and right common femoral artery (LCFA,RCFA) and common carotid artery (LCCA,RCCA) by quality intima-media thickness (QIMT) and quality arterial stiffness (QAS) techniques.The factors correlated with arterial stiffness in LEAD patients were analyzed.Results ① The systolic blood pressure(SBP),pulse pressure(PP),smoking pack-year and smoking extent (nonsmoker,smoker with ＜40 pack-year,or smoker with ≥40 pack-year) were significantly higher in LEAD group than those in the control group (P ＜0.05).②IMT of the LCCA and the diameters (D) of LCCA and RCCA were significantly increased in the LEAD group (P ＜0.05-0.01).As to the both sides CFA,IMT and IMT/D values were significantly increased (P ＜ 0.01).The mean IMT (mIMT) of both sides of CCA and CFA were increased (P ＜0.05).The values of β,PWVβ of LCCA and PWVβ of RCCA were significantly increased,and β and PWVβ values of both sides of CFA were significantly increased in the LEAD group (P ＜ 0.05).There was a positive correlation between the stiffness indexes of the carotid artery and that of the femoral artery (P ＜0.01).③The femoral mβ was correlated with femoral mIMT,SBP,PP,smoking amount and smoking extent,and the femoral mPWVβ was also correlated with mIMT,age,SBP,PP,smoking pack-year and smoking extent (P ＜0.05-0.01).In multivariable stepwise regression analysis,mIMT and PP were factors independently correlated with femoral mβ.And SBP,smoking extent,and mIMT were independently correlated with femoral mPWVβ.Conclusions Peripheral arteries in patients with LEAD experience vascular remodeling,as well as increased carotid and femoral stiffness.Femoral stiffness is correlated with IMT,arterial blood pressure and smoking extent.