Purpose To assess the utility of echocardiographic parameters in predicting adverse cardiovascular in patients with connective tissue disease.Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and echocardiographic records of patients with connective tissue disease from the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University(June 1st,2020 to June 1st,2023)who had complete medical data and at least twelve months of follow-up.Variables were screened based on univariate analysis,combined with clinical expertise and XGBoost feature weight analysis;this information was used to construct a Cox proportional hazards regression model designed to predict composite endpoint events of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.Internal validation was performed using the Bootstrap resampling method,and the model's performance was evaluated.Results The study included 123 participants.The incidence of positive events reached 39.02%(48/123).Mitral valve early diastolic annular velocity(reflecting left heart function)(HR=0.79,P=0.041)and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(reflecting right heart function)(HR=0.92,P=0.044)emerged as significant predictors for adverse cardiovascular outcomes.Compared with the clinical model,the model combined with left heart function parameters showed significant improvements in both risk classification and absolute accuracy for short-term and medium-term adverse prognosis(NRI365=0.054,IDI365=0.060,NRI730=0.064,IDI730=0.079,all P<0.05)and optimized risk classification for long-term adverse prognosis(NRI1 095=0.256,P<0.05).In contrast,the model combined with right heart function parameters improved risk classification at all time points(NRI365=0.054,NRI730=0.000,NRI1 095=0.135,all P<0.05).Conclusion Mitral valve early diastolic annular velocity and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion,which reflect cardiac function,are factors for predicting adverse cardiovascular outcomes among individuals diagnosed with connective tissue disease.Multi-parameter combined models incorporating echocardiographic variables can provide incremental predictive value compared with clinical models.

Purpose To assess the utility of echocardiographic parameters in predicting adverse cardiovascular in patients with connective tissue disease.Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and echocardiographic records of patients with connective tissue disease from the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University(June 1st,2020 to June 1st,2023)who had complete medical data and at least twelve months of follow-up.Variables were screened based on univariate analysis,combined with clinical expertise and XGBoost feature weight analysis;this information was used to construct a Cox proportional hazards regression model designed to predict composite endpoint events of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.Internal validation was performed using the Bootstrap resampling method,and the model's performance was evaluated.Results The study included 123 participants.The incidence of positive events reached 39.02%(48/123).Mitral valve early diastolic annular velocity(reflecting left heart function)(HR=0.79,P=0.041)and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(reflecting right heart function)(HR=0.92,P=0.044)emerged as significant predictors for adverse cardiovascular outcomes.Compared with the clinical model,the model combined with left heart function parameters showed significant improvements in both risk classification and absolute accuracy for short-term and medium-term adverse prognosis(NRI365=0.054,IDI365=0.060,NRI730=0.064,IDI730=0.079,all P<0.05)and optimized risk classification for long-term adverse prognosis(NRI1 095=0.256,P<0.05).In contrast,the model combined with right heart function parameters improved risk classification at all time points(NRI365=0.054,NRI730=0.000,NRI1 095=0.135,all P<0.05).Conclusion Mitral valve early diastolic annular velocity and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion,which reflect cardiac function,are factors for predicting adverse cardiovascular outcomes among individuals diagnosed with connective tissue disease.Multi-parameter combined models incorporating echocardiographic variables can provide incremental predictive value compared with clinical models.

Objective To analyze the effect of microRNA-22-3p (miR-22-3p) of extracellular vesicles derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on premature ovarian failure. Methods Follicular fluids were provided by premature ovarian failure patients with in vitro fertilization or the second-generation in vitro fertilization treatment and normal volunteers with the same treatment for infertility due to male factors; the exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated by differential centrifugation; the morphology, particle size and marker proteins of isolated exosomes were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, NanoSight LM10 analyzer and Western blotting. Granulosa cells were treated with cyclophosphamide (CTX), exosomes, miR-22-3 mimics and corresponding controls, and were divided into CTX group, control group, exosome incubation group, PBS treatment group, CTX+miR-22-3p group, CTX+miR-NC group, CTX+Exosomes group, and CTX+PBS group; gene expression was detected by Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reagent and flow cytometry were used to detect cell viability and apoptosis. Results The extracted exosomes had typical goblet vesicles, the exosome marker proteins C cluster of differentiation 63 (CD63) and C cluster of differentiation 9 (CD9) were expressed in the extracted exosomes, and exosome particle size was 80 to 150 nm; miR-22-3p was significantly lowly expressed in patients with premature ovarian failure and ovarian granulosa cells induced by CTX (P < 0.05), but was significantly highly expressed in ovarian granulosa cells incubated with exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (P < 0.05); the activity of granulosa cells in the CTX group was significantly lower than that in the control group, but was significantly higher in the CTX+miR-22-3p group or CTX+Exosomes group than that in the control group (P < 0.05); the apoptosis rate of granulosa cells in the CTX group was significantly higher than that in the control group, but was significantly lower in the CTX+miR-22-3p or CTX+Exosomes group than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The miR-22-3p of extracellular vesicles derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can inhibit ovarian granulosa cell injury induced by CTX.

Objectives:To evaluate the coronary microcirculatory function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM). Methods:Patients who diagnosed with HCM and underwent the measurement of index of microcirculatory resistance(IMR)using pressure-sensing guide wire from November 2021 to April 2023 were prospectively included.Coronary microcirculatory dysfunction(CMD)was defined as IMR≥25 U and patients were grouped accordingly to compare the clinical characteristics. Results:A total of 25 HCM patients were included.Mean age was(58.4±13.3)years,18 were men and mean body mass index was(26.7±3.6)kg/m2.Coronary microcirculatory function was successfully evaluated in all patients and the mean value of IMR was(30.5±15.3)U.There were 15 patients with CMD.Baseline clinical characteristics,laboratory examinations and medications were simialr between patients with and without CMD.The maximal left ventricular wall was significant thicker in patients with CMD compared with that in patients without CMD([20.2±2.8]mm vs.[16.9±2.3]mm,P=0.005).There was no significant difference in other echocardiographic parameters between two groups(all P>0.05).In the range of IMR value less than 50 U(n=22),there was a significant linear positive correlation between maximal left ventricular wall thickness and IMR(r=0.423,P=0.049).There was no significant difference in coronary flow reserve and fractional flow reserve between two groups. Conclusions:The severity of CMD is positively correlated with left ventricular wall thickness in HCM patients.

Objective: To investigate whether melatonin (MT) secretion in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) exhibits seasonal variations and its correlation with immune regulation. Methods: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and model groups, and the pineal gland was removed in the model group. Stomach, jejunum, ileum, and colon tissues were obtained during the spring equinox, summer solstice, beginning of autumn, autumn equinox, and winter solstice. The levels of MT, MT receptors (MR), arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the GIT were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Except for the stomach, the jejunum, ileum, and the colon showed seasonal tendencies in MT secretion. In the control group, MT secretion in the jejunum and ileum was the highest in the long summer, and colonic MT secretion was the highest in winter. In the model group, MT levels in the colon were highest in the summer. The seasonal rhythms of the MR, AANAT, HIOMT, IL-2, and IL-10 in the colon were roughly similar to those of MT, and changed accordingly after pinealectomy. Conclusions Gastrointestinal MT secretion is related to seasonal changes, and MT secretion in each intestinal segment is influenced by different seasons. The biological effects of MT in the gut are inextricably linked to the mediation of MR, and a hormone-receptor linkage exists between MT and MR. The effect of seasonal changes on the gastrointestinal immune system may be mediated through the regulation of seasonal secretion of MT.

The understanding of heart embryonic development and structure can contribute to improve our leaning of the etiology, pathophysiology and classification of congenital heart disease in humans, which has become the focus of echocardiography teaching. Meanwhile the difficulties and problems formed because of its diverse and fragmented theoretical knowledge. "Hand as foot" teaching method is a kind of teaching method using intuitive body language combined with the thought of analogy, so as to make teaching content relatively simplistic and figurative. Our study has demonstrated this method can be used in a constructive way to improve course content and delivery for echocardiography teaching to assess patent foramen ovale for standardized residency training of cardiac ultrasound, and achieved a good teaching effect. The specific implementation approaches and effect of this method are described in detail. This paper also explores the potential feasibility and benefits of the application of using "Hand as foot" teaching method in echocardiography teaching.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese patient with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). METHODS: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen potential variant in the proband. Candidate variants were determined by taking consideration of clinical phenotype. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the variant in the proband and his parents. RESULTS: The proband was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of c.8G>A (p.Cys3Tyr) and c.958_959insA (p.Arg320Glnfs*29) in the C2ORF71 gene, which has derived from his father and mother, respectively. Both variants were unreported previously. Based on the ACMG guidelines, they were predicted to be likely pathogenic and pathogenic, respectively. CONCLUSION The novel compound heterozygous variants of the C2ORF71 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of RP in the proband. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of C2ORF71 gene mutations and facilitated genetic counseling for the family.
Asians/genetics* ; China ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Retinitis Pigmentosa/genetics* ; Whole Exome Sequencing

Objective:In order to discuss the ovulation induction effect and clinical significance of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on progestin primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol in patients with diminished ovarian reserve during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Methods:Using retrospective cohort study method, the patients with diminished ovarian reserve who received PPOS in IVF assisted reproduction in the Reproductive Medicine Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from November 2018 to June 2020 were included, 110 cycles met requirements and were divided into FSH group (63 cycles) and hMG group (47 cycles) according to the different gonadotropin (Gn) used. General information and the outcome of IVF between the two groups were compared.Results:The total number of retrieved oocytes, M Ⅱ oocytes, fertilized oocytes, cleaved oocytes, day 3 (D3) embryos, all freezing embryo, two pronucleus (2PN) fertilization rate, the blastocyst formation rate, day 5 (D5) blastocyst rate and the utilization rate of oocytes, the biochemical pregnancy rate and the miscarriage rate had no statistical differences (all P>0.05). The rate of D3 high-quality embryos, the clinical pregnancy rate and the embryo implantation rate of FSH group were higher than those of hMG group [64.2% (111/173) vs. 50.0% (48/96), P=0.024; 45.8% (22/48) vs. 21.2% (7/33), P=0.023; 36.5% (27/74) vs. 16.7% (8/48), P=0.018] with statistical significances. Conclusion:For patients with diminished ovarian reserve, the rate of D3 high-quality embryos, the clinical pregnancy rate and the embryo implantation rate of FSH group are higher.

Objective:In order to discuss the ovulation induction effect and clinical significance of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on progestin primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol in patients with diminished ovarian reserve during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Methods:Using retrospective cohort study method, the patients with diminished ovarian reserve who received PPOS in IVF assisted reproduction in the Reproductive Medicine Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from November 2018 to June 2020 were included, 110 cycles met requirements and were divided into FSH group (63 cycles) and hMG group (47 cycles) according to the different gonadotropin (Gn) used. General information and the outcome of IVF between the two groups were compared.Results:The total number of retrieved oocytes, M Ⅱ oocytes, fertilized oocytes, cleaved oocytes, day 3 (D3) embryos, all freezing embryo, two pronucleus (2PN) fertilization rate, the blastocyst formation rate, day 5 (D5) blastocyst rate and the utilization rate of oocytes, the biochemical pregnancy rate and the miscarriage rate had no statistical differences (all P>0.05). The rate of D3 high-quality embryos, the clinical pregnancy rate and the embryo implantation rate of FSH group were higher than those of hMG group [64.2% (111/173) vs. 50.0% (48/96), P=0.024; 45.8% (22/48) vs. 21.2% (7/33), P=0.023; 36.5% (27/74) vs. 16.7% (8/48), P=0.018] with statistical significances. Conclusion:For patients with diminished ovarian reserve, the rate of D3 high-quality embryos, the clinical pregnancy rate and the embryo implantation rate of FSH group are higher.

Objective To study the application of laser speckle contrast algorithm in high-frequency ultrasound blood flow imaging. Methods The laser speckle contrast algorithm was extended to the field of high-frequency ultrasound blood flow imaging. The high-frequency ultrasound structure images were processed by using the classic laser speckle temporal contrast algorithm to suppress the static tissue signals, enhance the dynamic blood flow signals, and obtain the high-frequency ultrasound blood flow images. The simulation experiments on flow phantoms were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm, and then human skin tissue in vivo experiments were performed to verify the applicability of the algorithm. The performances of blood flow images which obtained from ultrasound structure images with different frames by laser speckle contrast algorithm were compared and analyzed. Results The blood flow information in a tube was clearly visible in the flow phantoms experiments. The static skin tissue signals were significantly suppressed, dynamic blood flow signals were strengthened in the human skin tissue in vivo experiments, and high-frequency ultrasound blood flow images were obtained. By comparing and analyzing the performances of blood flow images, the results showed that the best blood flow images could be obtained when the number of frame was set to 10 frames. Conclusions The speckle contrast algorithm is feasible and has good application prospects in high-frequency ultrasound blood flow imaging.