Clinical value of prenatal ultrasound in diagnosis and classification of common arterial trunk.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical value of prenatal ultrasound in the diagnosis of the common arterial trunk (CAT) classification and associated malformations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 2D ultrasound images, spatiotemporal image correlations (STICs) and clinical data of 88 fetuses diagnosed with CAT malformations by prenatal ultrasound were retrospectively analyzed and classified. The correlation between different types, fetal malformation and pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 88 fetuses, there were 39 cases (44.32%) of type A1, 40 cases (45.45%) of type A2, 8 cases (9.09%) of type A3, and 1 case of type A4 (1.14%). There were 16 cases (18.18%) with isolated CAT, 48 cases (54.55%) with complex intra-cardiac structural abnormalities, and 24 cases (27.27%) with intra-cardiac and extra-cardiac structural abnormalities. In extra-cardiac structural malformations, 14 cases were associated with 1 other system abnormality, 4 cases with 2 other system abnormalities, 3 cases with 3 other system abnormalities, while 3 cases were combined with 4 other system abnormalities, among which the facial and physical abnormalities had the highest incidence (39.13%). The STIC images were completely displayed in all 88 cases. There was a statistical difference between isolated CAT and CAT combined with other abnormalities in fetal pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal ultrasound had a high clinical application value in CAT classification. Pregnancy outcomes were highly correlated with the classification and associated intra-cardiac and extra-cardiac structural malformations. The early evaluation of fetal prognosis before birth has important value for clinical intervention.

Placental micro blood perfusion for isolated single umbilical artery foetuses and VEGF protein expression in the placenta.

Microblood perfusion of isolated single umbilical artery (ISUA) foetus placenta was evaluated using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound (3D-PDU). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression in the placenta was also semi-quantitative and qualitatively analysed. Differences between ISUA and control groups were compared. 3D-PDU was used to detect placental blood flow parameters, including vascularity index (VI), flow index, and vascularity flow index (VFI), in 58 foetuses in the ISUA group and 77 normal foetuses in the control group. Immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction were employed to analyse the VEGF expression in placental tissues of 26 foetuses in the ISUA group and 26 foetuses in the control group. The control group exhibited higher VI and VFI than the ISUA group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the ISUA group showed a higher positivity rate of VEGF protein expression than the control group (χ2=28.013, p˂0.001). The ISUA group also presented a higher VEGF mRNA protein expression than the control group (p˂0.001). 3D-PDU can be used to quantitatively analyse microblood perfusion of the placenta and provide an objective assessment of ISUA foetuses.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Colour Doppler flow can be used to evaluate placental and maternal circulation and remains an ideal method for evaluating high-risk placental function. Three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound (3D-PDU) can be used to quantify blood vessels and blood flow in placental parenchyma via the measurement of the amplitude of blood vessels and blood flow in normal foetuses, respectively.What do the results of this study add? 3D-PDU can be used to quantitatively analyse micro blood perfusion of the placenta and conduct an objective assessment of isolated single umbilical artery foetuses. The isolated single umbilical artery foetuses exhibited a higher positivity rate of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression and higher VEGF mRNA protein expression than the normal foetuses.What are the implication of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The study provides a reliable basis for maternal-foetal monitoring during pregnancy in the isolated single umbilical artery foetuses. Objective assessment of the occurrence and development of foetuses with isolated single umbilical artery was performed.

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal inferior vena cava malformation using HDlive flow combined with spatiotemporal image correlation.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the application value of high-definition live (HDlive) flow combined with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) in the diagnosis of fetal inferior vena cava malformation (IVCM). METHODS: Twenty cases of IVCMs were diagnosed using two-dimensional HDlive flow and HDlive flow combined with STIC and retrospectively analyzed to examine the impact of using HDlive flow combined with STIC in the diagnosis of IVCM. RESULTS: HDlive flow combined with STIC detected one case of duplicated IVC, four cases of left IVC (two cases with complex malformations), and 15 cases of interrupted IVC (two cases of isolated IVC disconnection, five cases with left atrial heterogeneous syndrome, and eight cases with other complex malformations). CONCLUSION: HDlive flow combined with STIC can help in the diagnosis of IVCM, and this technique has important clinical value.

Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: An unusual case.

X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED) is a rare congenital genetic disorder caused by mutations in the ectodysplasin A gene, resulting in dysplasia or complete absence of teeth, hair, and sweat glands. XLHED is rarely diagnosed prenatally. We describe a case of XLHED diagnosed with prenatal sonography and umbilical cord blood gene testing.

Synthesis of novel 6,7-dimethoxy-4-anilinoquinolines as potent c-Met inhibitors.

HGF/c-Met signalling pathway plays an important role in the development of cancers. A series of 6,7-dimethoxy-4-anilinoquinolines possessing benzimidazole moiety were synthesised and identified as potent inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase c-Met. Their in vitro biological activities against three cancer cell lines (A549, MCF-7, and MKN-45) were also evaluated. Most of these compounds exhibited moderate to remarkable potency. Among them, compound 12n showed the most potent inhibitory activity against c-Met with IC50 value of 0.030 ± 0.008 µM and it also showed excellent anticancer activity against the tested cancer cell lines at low micromolar concentration. Molecular docking verified the results and revealed the possible binding mode of the most promising compound 12n into the ATP-binding site of c-Met kinase.