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Objective:To explore the application value of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in measuring the global longitudinal peak strain of the right atrium (PRAGLS) in normal fetuses and evaluating PRAGLS in assessing right atrial function in fetuses with moderate and severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR).Methods:A total of 25 fetuses diagnosed with moderate and severe TR, who underwent fetal echocardiography at Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine between October 2020 and May 2022, were selected as the case group. Their gestational age ranged from 25.00(24.00, 30.00)weeks. Additionally, 100 normal singleton fetuses were chosen as the control group, with a gestational age of 25.83(23.00, 28.75)weeks. Standard basal or apical four-chamber clips were acquired and inputted into TOMTEC-ARENA offline cardiac analysis software for analysis. The fetal PRAGLS values of the two groups were obtained, as well as the routine obstetric ultrasound measurements and fetal echocardiographic parameters of both groups: fetal heart rate (FHR), biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL), aortic annulus inner diameter (AO), pulmonary annulus inner diameter (PA), PA/AO ratio, right atrial end-systolic length (RAESL), right atrial end-systolic diameter (RAESD), right atrial end-systolic area (RAESA), right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (RVEDD), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). The peak TR velocity and pressure gradient were simultaneously measured in the case group.The differences in fetal PRAGLS and other parameters between the two groups were compared and analyzed. The correlation between fetal PRAGLS and gestational age (GA) and routine measurements was assessed for both groups. Intra- and inter-observer repeatability tests were conducted using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC).Results:A significant difference in PRAGLS was observed between the two groups ( t=11.55, P<0.01). The TAPSE difference between the two groups was also statistically significant ( Z=3.45, P=0.01). Notable differences were found in AO, PA, PA/AO, RAESL, RAESD, and RAESA between the two groups (all P<0.05), but no significant differences were identified in age, GA, FHR, BPD, FL, and RVEDD between the two groups (all P>0.05). PRAGLS in the control group exhibited a moderate negative correlation with GA ( r=-0.47, P<0.01) and were correlated with BPD, FL, AO, PA, RAESL, RAESD, RAESA, and RVEDD ( r=-0.50, -0.46, -0.39, -0.43, -0.45, -0.36, -0.43, -0.32, all P<0.05). No significant correlation was observed with maternal age, FHR, PA/AO, and TAPSE (all P>0.05). No significant correlation between PRAGLS and GA or other conventional parameters was found in the case group (all P>0.05). The inter-measurer and intra-measurer ICC of PRAGLS in the control group were 0.87 and 0.79, respectively, while the inter-measurer and intra-measurer ICC of PRAGLS in the case group were 0.94 and 0.97, respectively, demonstrating good consistency. Conclusions:2D-STE exhibits strong feasibility and reproducibility in assessing fetal atrial function.Fetuses with moderate and severe TR display decreased PRAGLS, suggesting impaired right atrial reservoir function. Right atrial strain introduces a novel method for evaluating fetal cardiac function.
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Objective:To explore the feasibility of deep learning-based restoration of obscured thyroid ultrasound images.Methods:A total of 358 images of thyroid nodules were retropectively collected from January 2020 to October 2021 at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and the images were randomly masked and restored using DeepFillv2. The difference in grey values between the images before and after restoration was compared, and 6 sonographers (2 chief physicians, 2 attending physicians, 2 residents) were invited to compare the rate of correctness of judgement and detection of image discrepancies. The ultrasound features of thyroid nodules (solid composition, microcalcifications, markedly hypoechoic, ill-defined or irregular margins, or extrathyroidal extensions, vertical orientation and comet-tail artifact) were extracted according to the Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (C-TIRADS). The consistency of ultrasound features of thyroid nodules before and after restoration were compared.Results:The mean squared error of the images before and after restoration ranged from 0.274 to 0.522, and there were significant differences in the rate of correctness of judgement and detection of image discrepancies between physicians of different groups(all P<0.001). The overall accuracy rate was 51.95%, the overall detection rate was 1.79%, there were significant differences also within the chief physicians and resident groups (all P<0.001). The agreement rate of all ultrasound features of the nodules before and after image restoration was higher than 70%, over 90% agreement rate for features such as solid composition and comet-tail artifact. Conclusions:The algorithm can effectively repair obscured thyroid ultrasound images while preserving image features, which is expected to expand the deep learning image database, and promote the development of deep learning in the field of ultrasound images.
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Objective:To evaluate the fetal heart shape and function in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) by fetal heart quantitative analysis (fetal HQ).Methods:A total of 52 fetuses with TOF diagnosed by fetal echocardiography and 200 normal fetuses matched with their gestational weeks from March 2020 to March 2022 at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University were retrospectively evaluated. The basic parameters of fetal cardiac blood vessels in the two groups were measured by fetal HQ technology and conventional M-mode ultrasound technology: aortic valve diameter(AV), pulmonary artery valve diameter(PV), main pulmonary artery diameter (MPA) and Z-score. The overall morphometric measurements including end-diastolic length diameter, transverse diameter, area, and global spherical index (GSI) of the fetal heart in the 4-chamber view(4CV), area and length of the right and left ventricles and their ratios. Measurements of left and right ventricular function included ejection fraction (EF), fraction area change rate (FAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), and left and right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (ED), spherical index (SI), and fractional shortening rate (FS) of 24-segments. The differences of above parameters between TOF group and control group were compared. In addition, the relationships between the absolute value of left and right ventricular GLS of TOF fetus and PV/AV, PV Z-score and MPA Z-score were analyzed. The optimal critical values of GSI, left ventricular EF and left ventricular FAC of TOF fetus were determined by ROC curve, and their corresponding sensitivity and specificity were obtained.Results:Compared with control group, there were significant differences in 4CV end-diastolic length, area, GSI, left ventricular area, left ventricular length, left ventricular EF, left ventricular FAC and left ventricular GLS in TOF group (all P<0.05). There were significant differences in ED between left ventricular 15-24 segments and right ventricular 1-21 segments (all P<0.05). There were significant differences in SI between left ventricular 1-16 segments, 21-24 segments and all segments of right ventricle (all P<0.05). The differences in FS were statistically significant (all P<0.05) when comparing all segments of the left ventricle and 1-2 segments of the right ventricular, and the remaining parameters were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). The left ventricular GLS absolute value of TOF fetuses was positively correlated with PV/AV, PV Z-score and MPA Z-score( rs=0.338, 0.441 and 0.458, all P<0.05), the right ventricular GLS absolute value of TOF fetuses was positively correlated with PV AV, PV Z-score and MPA Z-score( rs=0.418, 0.368 and 0.338, all P<0.05). The optimal critical values of GSI, left ventricular EF, and left ventricular FAC in the diagnosis of fetal TOF were 1.19, 59.05%, and 44.4%, respectively. At this time, the sensitivities of diagnosis of TOF were 0.78, 0.75, and 0.80, respectively. The specificities were 0.88, 0.88 and 0.83, respectively. The areas under ROC curve were 0.89, 0.88 and 0.89, respectively. Conclusions:Fetal HQ technology can provide a simple and reliable quantitative evaluation of fetal heart shape and function, and provide certain theoretical parameters for the study of fetal heart shape and function.
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Objective:To establish the normal reference range of atrial septal excursion index (ASEI) and foramen ovale membrane angle in normal fetuses aged 16-40 weeks, and to analyze the correlation between ASEI and foramen ovale membrane angle in normal fetuses.Methods:A total of 378 normal singletons with gestational ages of 16-40 weeks undergoing by fetal echocardiography were selected in the Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound & Echocardiography, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, from January to June 2021, and 349 fetuses successfully finished all measurements. After all fetuses completed the systematic fetal echocardiography, fetal foramen ovale diameter and foramen ovale membrane angle were measured on the four chamber view. The maximum distance of foramen ovale valve from the base of atrial septum to the free wall of left atrium and the transverse diameter of left atrium were measured, and ASEI was calculated. The differences of ASEI, foramen ovale membrane angle and foramen ovale diameter of the groups with different gestational weeks were compared. The correlations among ASEI, foramen ovale membrane angle and foramen ovale diameter were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.Results:All 349 fetuses were divided into 6 groups according to their gestational weeks, including 17 cases at 16-20 weeks, 46 cases at 21-24 weeks, 114 cases at 25-28 weeks, 105 cases at 29-32 weeks, 31 cases at 33-36 weeks and 36 cases at 37-40 weeks. The ± s of ASEI was 0.492 7±0.059 7, 95% CI was 0.486 4-0.499 0, 95% normal reference value range was 0.375 7-0.609 8. Significant differences were found in ASEI among different groups( P<0.05). The ± s of foramen ovale membrane angle was (44.03±5.48)°, 95% CI was 43.46-44.61°, 95% normal reference value range was 33.29-54.78°. Significant differences were found in the foramen ovale membrane angle among different groups( P<0.05). The ± s of foramen ovale diameter was (4.32±1.30)mm, 95% CI was 4.18-4.45 mm, the differences among different groups were significant( P<0.05) and foramen ovale diameter was found increased with the increase of gestational weeks. There was a significant positive correlation between ASEI and foramen ovale membrane angle ( r=0.558, P<0.05). There was no correlation between foramen ovale diameter and ASEI and foramen ovale membrane angle ( r=-0.166, -0.084; all P>0.05). Conclusions:The normal reference ranges of ASEI and foramen ovale valve angle of normal fetuses aged 16-40 weeks was successfully established. These parameters may be useful for evaluating diastolic cardiac function by assessing foramen ovale.
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Objective:To investigate the application value of fetal heart quantification (fetal HQ) in the evaluation of fetal heart size, morphology and function in fetuses with right ventricular outflow obstruction (RVOTO).Methods:Fifty-five fetuses diagnosed as RVOTO by fetal echocardiography in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Zhejiang University from April 2020 to February 2021 were selected. They were divided into simple pulmonary artery stenosis (PS) group and conus arteriosus malformation (CTD) group according to whether they were combined with other cardiovascular malformations. On the standard four chamber view, the end diastolic basal apical length (4CV length) and transverse width (4CV width) were obtained by fetal HQ analysis technique, and the cardiac global spherical index (4cv-gsi) was calculated. The left and right ventricles (LV and RV) were divided into 24 segments from the base to the apex. The endocardial curve was obtained by total HQ tracking. The 24 segment transverse width (ED), spherical index (SI), short axis shortening (FS) and its Z-score were calculated. The LV and RV of RVOTO fetuses were compared and analyzed from the aspects of heart size, morphology and function.Results:The 4CV length of RVOTO fetal heart was in the normal range, 4CV width increased in varying degrees, GSI decreased, and the whole heart showed spherical changes. In PS group, LV-ED was larger than that of RV and the difference was statistically significant in 5-24 segments( P<0.05). LV was more spherical than RV. There was no significant difference in ED between LV and RV in CTD group( P>0.05), and RV was more spherical than LV. Twenty-four segment FS decreased in different degrees in RVOTO fetal heart, and the decrease of RV was more obvious than that of LV. There was significant difference between the LV and RV in PS group from S5 to 19 ( P<0.05), and there was significant difference between the left and right ventricles in CTD group from S1 to 11 ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Fetal HQ can provide new insights of cardiac size, morphology and function in fetuses with RVOTO.
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Objective:To investigate the application of fetal atria septal excursion index (ASEI) combining cardiovascular structure Z-scores in fetuses with redundancy foramen ovale flap (RFOF).Methods:Twenty-two fetuses with RFOF diagnosed by fetal echocardiography in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital from December 2019 to September 2021 were selected as the RFOF group and 62 normal fetuses as the control group. The movement of the foramen ovale valve was observed in the four chamber view, and the maximum distance of the foramen ovale valve bulging, the total length of the atrial septum, the foramen ovale diameter, the diameters of the aortic valve, the pulmonary valve, the ascending aorta, the aortic isthmus, the descending aorta and the left and right ventricular areas were measured. ASEI, foramen ovale diameter, foramen ovale valve excursion distance, the ratio of foramen ovale diameter to total atrial septum length, aortic valvular annular diameter Z-score(AOV Z-score), pulmonary valvular annular diameter Z-score(PV Z-score), ascending aorta diameter Z-score(AOA Z-score), ascending aorta diameter Z-score (AOA Z-score), aortic isthmus Z-score (AOI Z-score), descending aorta diameter Z-score (AOD Z-score), diastolic right ventricular area Z-score (RV area Z-score) and diastolic left ventricular area Z-score(LV area Z-score) were compared between the two groups. RFOF fetuses were followed up to observe the prognosis.Results:There were significant differences in fetal ASEI, foramen ovale diameter, foramen ovale valve excursion distance, the ratio of foramen ovale diameter to total atrial septum length, AOV Z-score, PV Z-score, AOA Z-score, AOI Z-score, AOD Z-score and LV area Z-score between RFOF group and control group (all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in RV area Z-score ( P>0.05). Postnatal follow-up outcomes in RFOF group indicated that 17 of 22 cases (77.3%) had live birth, five cases (22.7%) were lost at follow-up. Twelve of 17 live birth cases (70.5%) showed structurally normal heart by postnatal echocardiography, 3 cases (17.6%) showed mild coarctation of the aorta with nonsignificant hemodynamics under clinical follow-up, 2 cases (11.8%) were diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta, pulmonary artery dilation and atrial septal defect, and died after operation, of which one case died of infections pneumonia after operation. Another case was born prematurely at 36 + 4 weeks with a birth weight of 2 650 g, and neotal echocardiography showed ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. Conclusions:ASEI can quantitatively evaluate the behavior of foramen ovale valve mobility and in combination with Z-scores of cardiovascular structures can be used to assess the morphological changes of fetal hearts. Although some fetuses with RFOF demonstrate left and right ventricular disproportion and coarctation of the aorta in fetal echocardiography, most fetuses have a good prognosis.
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Objective:To explore the correlation between peroxiredoxin 3 (PRX3) level before delivery and birth weight of offspring in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods:The clinical data of 126 primiparous women with GDM in Beijing Changping District Hospital from December 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the birth weight of offspring, the patients were divided into macrosomia (newborn birth weight ≥4 000 g) group (32 cases) and non-macrosomia group (94 cases). Patient general data were recorded, and PRX3 levels were measured at 12, 20, 28, 32, 36, 38 and 39 weeks of gestation. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of PRX3 for birth weight of offspring in patients with GDM.Results:There were no statistical difference in age, body mass index before pregnancy, white blood cell, hemoglobin, lymphocyte, platelet, and the incidences of gestational anemia, premature rupture, malposition, fetal distress, oligohydramnios, placenta praevia between 2 groups ( P>0.05). The PRX3 12, 20, 28, 32, 36, 38, 39 weeks of gestation and birth weight of offspring in macrosomia group were significantly higher than those in non-macrosomia group: (12.25 ± 2.36) μg/L vs. (10.11 ± 2.25) μg/L, (13.86 ± 2.33) μg/L vs. (11.95 ± 2.01) μg/L, (15.02 ± 2.58) μg/L vs. (12.69 ± 2.32) μg/L, (17.98 ± 3.69) μg/L vs. (14.79 ± 3.22) μg/L, (20.25 ± 2.94) μg/L vs. (16.55 ± 2.84) μg/L, (22.65 ± 3.88) μg/L vs. (18.06 ± 3.29) μg/L, (24.52 ± 3.59) μg/L vs. (19.57 ± 3.87) μg/L and (4 329.21 ± 300.58) g vs. (3 256.58 ± 330.47) g, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). According to the level of PRX3 before delivery, the patients with GDM were divided into high PRX3 group (71 cases, PRX3>20 μg/L) and low PRX3 group (55 cases, PRX3≤20 μg/L). The incidence of macrosomia in high PRX3 group was significantly higher than that in low PRX3 group: 30.99% (22/71) vs. 18.18% (10/55), and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis result showed that the birth weight of offspring was positive correlation with PRX3 level in patients with GDM ( r = 0.226, P = 0.001). ROC curve analysis result showed that the area under curve of PRX3 in predicting birth weight of offspring in patients with GDM was 0.865, with a sensitivity of 86.2%, a specificity of 79.8%, Yoden index of 0.660, and the optimal cut-off of 19.35 μg/L. Conclusions:The level of PRX3 is positively correlated with birth weight of offspring in patients with GDM.
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Aim To explore the main active ingredients of Tripterygium wilfordii and the mechanism in treat-ment of breast cancer based on network pharmacology.Methods The active components and targets of Tripterygii Wilfordii were searched by TCMSP.GeneCard database was used to screen the potential targets of Tripterygii Wilfordii in treatment of breast cancer.The two were matched to obtain the core components and targets of Tripterygii Wilfordii.Cytoscape3.6.0 and AutoDock Vina were used to draw the drug-target network diagram, and GO enrichment analysis, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and molecular docking between the core target and the components were carried out.CCK8 and qPCR were used to verify the effect of optimal core component tripterine on breast cancer cells.Results Seven kinds of active anti-breast cancer components and twenty-five core therapeutic targets of Tripterygii Wilfordii were obtained.Tripterine, which significantly inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells, was the most valuable component of Tripterygii Wilfordii for breast cancer.QPCR results showed that tripterine decreased the expression of core therapeutic targets.Conclusions The effectiveness of Tripterygii Wilfordii has multiple pathways, and tripterine may play an important role in treatment of breast cancer.
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Objective:To explore the application value of fetal heart quantification (fetal HQ) in evaluation of fetal cardiac function and morphology in fetuses with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO).Methods:Twenty-five fetuses with LVOTO diagnosed by fetal echocardiography in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical College from April to July 2020 were enrolled. The end-diastolic basal apical length(BAL), transverse length (TL), global spherical index (GSI) of fetal four-chamber view, and the left and right ventricular end-diastolic area, long diameter, 24-segment end-diastolic transverse length (ED) and its Z-scores adjusted by gestational age and 24-segment spherical index(SI) were calculated by using fetal HQ. Subsequently the Z-scores of left and right ventricle fractional shortening (FS) in 24 segments were obtained by gestational age.Results:SI of 24-segments of left ventricles in fetuses with LVOTO were significantly different from that of right ventricles (all P<0.05). There was significant difference between left and right ventricular areas ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between left and right ventricular lengths ( P>0.05). There were significant differences between the 24-segment Z-scores of left and right ventricular ED(all P<0.05). The ratios of RVED to LVED of 24 segments were analyzed by box diagram. The results showed that the transverse length of right ventricle was significantly higher than that of left ventricle. The highest value was 1.49(1.26-1.86), and the lowest value was 1.40(1.26-1.86), both significantly higher than the normal value of 1.19. There were no significant differences between the 1-19-segment Z-scores of left and right ventricular FS( P>0.05). There were significant differences between the 20-24-segment Z-scores of left and right ventricular FS( P<0.05). Conclusions:Fetal HQ can be used to quantitatively analyze left ventricular shape, size and function of fetuses with LVOTO, which provides a new method for quantitative analysis of fetal heart function.
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Objective:To explore the feasibility of fetal intelligent navigation echocardiography (FINE) in automatic quantitation of cardiac axis (CA).Methods:A total of 62 pregnant women of which 2 with twins′ pregnancy in the second and third trimesters from May to June 2020 in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital Zhejiang University College of Medicine were enrolled in this non-selective and prospective study. After excluding those who could not be analyzed, they were assigned into four groups according to their CA measuring methods: ①Group with manual measuring CA in systole (CAS); ②Group with manual measuring CA in diastole(CAD); ③Group with CA measured by FINE in three-steps; ④Group with CA measured by FINE in seven-steps. The CAS among groups were compared in order to analyze the consistency and correlation of CAS achieved by different methods, meanwhile, the intra-observer and inter-observer consistency and repeatability were also evaluated.Results:A total of 64 fetuses with 187 volume data were collected, of which 60 cases of fetal data can be included in the study, 57 cases of normal CA, 3 cases of abnormal CA, a total of 158 volume data can be used for data analysis, the success rate was about 84.5%. Because of the small number of abnormal CA cases (3 cases), only 57 cases of normal CA were statistically analyzed in this study. Three-step and seven-step FINE automatic quantitative CA showed significantly different from those obtained with manual measurements of CAD ( P=0.005, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in quantitative analysis of CA between three-step or seven-step FINE and manual measurements of CAS ( P=0.458, 0.883), however, there was no correlation between CA using three-step FINE and manual measurement of CAS ( rs=0.056, P=0.679), but there was a positive correlation between CA using seven-step FINE and manual measurement of CAS ( rs=0.599, P<0.001). The linear regression equation was constructed as follows: Y=10.96+ 0.73 X ( R2=0.431, P<0.001). There was no correlation between three-step method and seven-step method for automatic quantitative CA ( rs=0.158, P=0.241). There was significant difference( P<0.001), but strong correlation between manual measurement of CAS and manual measurement of CAD ( rs=0.973, P<0.001), the average difference was ΔCA=(4.5± 3.8)°. The linear regression equation was constructed as follows: Y=-2.94+ 0.96 X ( R2=0.950, P<0.001). Intra-observer and inter-observer measurements had shown no significant difference in consistency and repeatability (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The measurement of fetal CA by seven-step FINE is superior to the three-step FINE when the fetal CA is in normal range. This may be considered a promising aspect that seven-step FINE automatic quantitation of fetal CA can replace the manual measurement of CAS. Future research is needed to deliminate the reliability of automatic quantification of fetal CA by seven-step FINE with the CA in abnormal range.
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Objective:To investigate the feasibility of applying Fetal Intelligent Navigation Echocardiography (FINE) combined with Virtual Intelligent Sonographer Assistance (VIS-Assistance ?) in the prenatal screening of right aortic arch (RAA) with left-sided ductus arteriosus (LDA). Methods:A total of 32 fetuses with RAA and LDA during middle and late pregnancy in Zhejiang University Medical College Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital from Jauary 2018 to Jauary 2020 were included in this retrospective study, and the datas about fetal cardiac three-dimensional volume were analyzed. The time-space correlation imaging (STIC) volume data were collected by using FINE by Senior doctor A. The two diagnostic elements of the transverse aortic arch on the right side of the trachea and the "U" -shaped vascular ring, as well as the three-vessel tracheal diagnostic section were obtained by low-aged doctor B and middle-aged doctor C by using VIS-Assistance ? technology. And then the detection rates of diagnostic sections and diagnostic elements for fetuses with RAA and LDA were calculated. The postpartum outcomes of fetuses with RAA and LDA were followed up. Results:Thirty-two fetuses were included in the study after excluding 2 cases due to the poor quality images, and the datas about fetal cardiac three-dimensional volume of the 32 fetuses were analyzed. The detection rate of one diagnostic element (the aortic arch on the right side of the trachea) were 84.4% vs 87.5% before VIS-Assistance ?, and 93.8% vs 93.8% after VIS-Assistance ? for each doctor B and doctor C , respectively. Another diagnostic element ( "U" -shaped vascular ring) were 78.1% vs 87.3% before VIS-Assistance ?, and 90.6% vs 90.6% after VIS-Assistance ? for doctor B and doctor C, respectively. But no significant difference was found before and after VIS-Assistance ? between the two each doctors(all P>0.05). The detection rate of three-vascular tracheal diagnosis view were 65.6% vs 71.9% before VIS-Assistance ? and 84.4% vs 87.5% after VIS-Assistance ? for doctor B and doctor C, respectively. There was significant difference before and after VIS-Assistance ? of doctor C( P<0.05). The scores of image quality after VIS-Assistance ? were significantly higher than that before VIS-Assistance ? for doctor B and doctor C, respectively [3(2.5, 3) vs 3.25(3.0, 3.5), and 3(2.5, 3.5) vs 3.5(3.0, 3.5)]. The agreement between two doctors performing VIS-Assistance ? was investigated using Bland-Altman analysis and the result showed that within 95% of the differences fall in the agreement interval. No obvious clinical symptoms of compression were found in 32 neonates after follow-up. Conclusions:The application of FINE combined with VIS-Assistance ? technology can easily and reliably obtain the key diagnostic view of RAA with LDA (three-vessel and tracheal view), and clearly display all diagnostic elements, having high repeatability and stability. VIS-Assistance ? technology can improve the detection rate and image quality even if the doctor was lack of experience. So it can be used as an effective supplementary means for prenatal screening of RAA and LDA.
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Objective:To explore the clinical application value of fetal heart quantification (fetal HQ) in the analysis of 24-segment spherical index (SI) of fetal heart in normal second and third trimestries.Methods:In July 2019, sixty-five normal singletons with gestational age (GA) of 28(24, 31) weeks were examined by echocardiography in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital. The global spherical index (GSI) of the heart was measured and the dynamic images of the standard four chamber view were collected. Twenty-four-segment SI of the left and right ventricles were measured by using the fetal HQ analysis system and the correlation between SI and gestational age was analyzed.Results:There were no significant correlations between GSI, SI of left and right ventricles and gestational age ( r s=-0.22-0.14, all P>0.05). The SI of the first segment of left ventricle was lower than those of the other 23 segments (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences of SI among the second to the eleventh segments of the left ventricle (all P>0.05). In the 13th to the 24th segments of the left ventricle, the closer to the apex of the heart, the greater the SI of the segment were noted (all P<0.05). For the right ventricle, the closer to the apex of the heart, the greater the SI of the 4th to the 24th segments were found (all P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in SI among the first to third segment( P>0.05). The success rate of fetal HQ software was 95.4%. Conclusions:The 24-segment SI of RV and LV provides a feasible and reliable quantitative method which allows for the assessment of fetal heart function from the four-chamber view.
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Objective:To investigate the association of left and right ventricular diameters in normal early pregnancy and early middle pregnancy to the biological growth parameters of fetus, and to establish the reference and Z-score model for left and right ventricles.Methods:Two hundred and forty-six fetuses in normal early pregnancy (11-13 + 6 weeks) and early middle pregnancy (14-17 + 6 weeks) from February 2019 to May 2019 in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital were examined by routine ultrasound. Non-cardiac fetal biometric parameters included crown-rump length (CRL), biparietal diameter (BPD) and femoral length (FL) and gestation age (GA) based on menstrual age were assessed. The left and right ventricular widths (LVW, RVW) and ventricular lengths (LVL, RVL) were measured at the end of diastolic period by obtaining the standard four chamber view of fetal echocardiography. The end-diastolic areas (LVA, RVA) as the products of the ventricular widths and lengths, the global spherical indexes (GSI) of left and right ventricles (LVSI, RVSI), the ratios of left and right ventricular widths (LVW/RVW), the length ratios (LVL/RVL) and the area ratios (LVA/RVA) of both ventricles were calculated.GA, BPD and FL were used as independent variables. The predicted cardiac parameters and its derivative parameters were used as dependent variables. The corresponding reference range was established. The correlation between each standard deviation (SD) and independent variables was analyzed, and the corresponding Z-scores of left and right ventricular diameters were calculated by using the formula. Results:①LVW, RVW, LVL, RVL were found positively correlated with the increase of GA, BPD and FL, and the correlation between GA and LVW, RVW was the highest ( r=0.928, 0.930; all P<0.000 1). ②There was a positive correlation between LVA, RVA and GA ( r=0.868, 0.872; all P<0.000 1). LVSI, RVSI were found negatively correlated with GA ( r=-0.844, -0.861; all P<0.000 1), and LVSI>RVSI. LVW/RVW<1 and almost close to 1, the ratios decreased with the increase of GA( r=0.147, P<0.000 1). LVL/RVL>1, the ratios increased with the increase of GA( r=0.313, P<0.000 1). LVA/RVA>1, but there was no correlation with GA. ③The SD values of LVW, RVW, LVL, RVL positively correlated with independent variables. Taking GA and LVW as an example, the linear regression equation of LVW was Y=-5.338+ 0.549GA ( r=0.928, P<0.000 1), and the linear regression equation of LVW-SD was Y=-0.322+ 0.037GA( r=0.131, P<0.000 1). The Z-scores of LVW, RVW, LVL, RVL, LVA, RVA did not change with the changes of GA, BPD, and FL. Conclusions:The normal reference range and Z-scores of left and right ventricular lengths and widths can be simply and reliably established using statistical analysis, and these parameters might have potentials for more accurately and more early evaluating the normal development of fetal heart.
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Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of sonography based volume computer aided display heart (SonoVCADheart) in the display of key diagnostic elements in basic fetal echocardiographic views.Methods:4D volume data based on fetal four-chamber view of 80 singleton fetuses (including 57 normal fetuses and 23 fetuses with heart abnormalities) were collected by using a volumetric probe from the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine from January 8-22, 2019. Four to five volume datasets based on four-chamber view of the heart were rapidly acquired from each fetus. Three doctors (Doctor A: Engaged in fetal echocardiography diagnosis for more than 15 years, Doctor B and C: 6 months of regular fetal echocardiography training but lack of experience) with different fetal echocardiographic experiences performed off-line processing using SonoVCADheart combined tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) at different times to obtain eight standard echocardiographic diagnostic views, and to score the elementary contents of each echocardiographic view. The scores of the same doctor at different times, the scores of less experienced doctors and experienced doctor, and the scores between normal and abnormal fetuses, and the time required for analysis and diagnosis among all doctors were analyzed and compared, respectively. The diagnostic coincidence rates of SonoVCADheart for fetuses with cardiac malformations were also assessed.Results:A total of 279 volume datasets obtained from 57 normal fetuses, an average of 4.89/fetus, and 109 volume datasets obtained from 23 fetuses with cardiovascular abnormalities, an average of 4.74/fetus, and all volume datasets were used for SonoVCADheart analysis. The volume percentage of all the elements in the 8 diagnostic views with image quality≥2 points shown by SonoVCADheart in the normal fetuses was about 70.61%-74.91%, in the abnormal fetuses was about 53.21%-55.96%. There were no significant differences in the scores between the same doctor at different times, the scores between inexperienced doctors, and the scores among experienced and less experienced doctors(all P>0.05). There were significant differences in the scores between normal and abnormal fetuses except for all of the superior and inferior vena cava view and the aorticarch view of doctors A and C(all P<0.05). The time required for experienced doctor A and inexperienced doctors B and C to obtain 8 diagnostic views and to complete the diagnosis was statistically significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the time required for the inexperienced doctors B and C to obtain 8 diagnostic sections and to complete the diagnosis ( P>0.05). There was statistically significant difference in the diagnosis time required for doctor A using SonoVCADheart and two-dimensional echocardiography in fetuses with cardiovascular malformations ( P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the time required in the normal fetus between SonoVCADheart and two-dimensional echocardiography ( P>0.05). The diagnostic coincidence rate of SonoVCADheart for fetuses with cardiac malformations is about 89.91%-90.83%. Conclusions:SonoVCADheart is a repeatable and stable novel fetal heart processing tool enabling displaying eight standard diagnostic sections of the fetal heart, and has potential clinical application value in the standardization of image acquisition and sequence display.
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Objective:To explore the sensitivity and specificity of fetal intelligent navigation echocardiography(FINE, 5D Heart) in the prenatal detection of congenital heart defect(CHD), and to compare its diagnostic performance with spatiotemporal image correlation(STIC) loop (STICloop).Methods:A total of 250 pregnant women having a singleton pregnancy in the second and third trimesters from April 2018 to May 2019 in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine were enrolled in this prospective study. 2D ultrasound diagnosis has been made before acquiring STIC volume data set. After the appropriateness of each volume data set was preliminarily determined, all identifying informations were concealed and the appropriate volumes were randomly distributed to less experienced sonographer for analysis using 5D Heart software. The sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, as well as area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the two methods were determined respectively, and the differences between the two methods were statistically analyzed.Results:The diagnostic performance of 5D Heart for the prenatal detection of CHD was: sensitivity of 95.45% (105/110), specificity of 94.29% (132/140), positive likelihood ratio of 16.72, negative likelihood ratio of 0.05, and AUC of 0.95, respectively. Among cases with confirmed CHD, the 5D Heart diagnosis completely matched the final diagnosis in 77.27% (85/110). The diagnostic performance of STICloop for the prenatal detection of CHD was: sensitivity of 90.91% (100/110), specificity of 92.86% (130/140), positive likelihood ratio of 12.73, negative likelihood ratio of 0.10, and AUC of 0.92. The sensitivity and secificity of 5D Heart in diagnosing CHD were both higher than 90%, and it could successfully detect a broad spectrum of severe fetal CHD. Among cases with confirmed CHD, even the STICloop diagnosis completely matched the final diagnosis in 61.81%(68/110), its diagnostic accuracy was relatively lower than 5D Heart ( P=0.013). However, there were no statistical differences between the two methods in sensitivity and specificity(all P>0.05). Conclusions:The sesitivity and specifity of 5D Heart in diagnosis CHD were both higher than 90%, and it could successfully detect a broad spectrum of severe fetal CHD. STICloop could be used for preliminary screening of CHD, as it has the same high sensitivity and specificity as 5D Heart. Further examination may be recommended when fetal heart abnormalities are suspected.
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Objective:To explore the feasibility of Sonography based Volume Computer Aided Display Heart (SonoVCADheart) in the display of the fetal ventricular outflow views, and compare diameters of fetal aorta (AO) and pulmonary artery (PA) measured by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and SonoVCADheart.Methods:Eighty singleton fetuses in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy in January 2019 in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine were enrolled. Conventional 2DE examinations were performed. The volume datasets were analyzed offline using the new automatic image processing software SonoVCADheart. The diameters of AO and PA were measured by 2DE and SonoVCADheart, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between the two methods. The consistency of the two methods was verified by Bland-Altman analysis, and he reliability of SonoVCADheart was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).Results:Fetal ventricular outflow views were successfully obtained using SonoVCADheart in 73(91.2%) of 80 fetuses. There were good correlations between the two methods for measuring the diameters of AO and PA ( r=0.953, 0.971; all P<0.001). The 95% agreement limits of AO and PA were (-0.669, 0.568)mm and (-0.632, 0.580)mm, respectively. ICC demonstrated that SonoVCADheart achieved great repeatability both between and within observers. Conclusions:SonoVCADheart may have potentials for the quantitative evaluation of fetal ventricular outflow tracts with its good repeatability and reliability.
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Objective::Duanteng Yimu decoction(DTYMD)is effective in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by relieving joint inflammation and down-regulating some inflammatory factors in a short period of time, but the mechanism is still unclear. We aimed to investigate upstream kinase of mitogen activated protein kinases(MAPK) and define the anti-inflammatory mechanism of DTYMD. Method::Fibroblasts-like synovial cells(FLSs) were divided into blank group, model group (IL-1β), high-dose DTYMD group (1 000 mg·L-1), medium-dose DTYMD group (800 mg·L-1), low-dose DTYMD group (600 mg·L-1) and armour ammonia butterfly(MTX) group (20 μmol·L-1). The protein and mRNA expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 2 (MEKK2) were analyzed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(Real-time PCR). Totally 42 male DBA/1J mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, with 7 mice in each group, namely normal group, model group and MTX group (2 mg·kg-1), low-dose DTYMD group (6.25 mg·kg-1), medium-dose DTYMD group (12.5 mg·kg-1), and high-dose DTYMD group (25 mg·kg-1). Except for the normal group, the other five groups were included in collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) model by secondary immunoassay. After administration, the posterior limbs and ankle joints were stained with htoxylin-eosin(HE), and the pathological scores of the joints were evaluated. Result::Compared with the model group, DTYMD inhibited the activity of FLSs in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.01). Compared with the blank control group, the cell proliferation rate of the model group increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, high and middle-dose DTYMD groups could inhibit protein and mRNA expressions of MEKK2 (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in low-dose group. However, the expression of DTYMD protein in high/medium/low-dose groups was significantly higher than that in blank group (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in MTX group. Compared with the model group, the expressions of matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin(IL)-6 were negatively regulated in different DTYMD groups(P<0.01), and the expressions of MMP-1, IL-6, TNF-α in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the animal experiment, compared with the model group, high/middle-dose DTYMD groups could decrease the degree of joint swelling in CIA mice (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in the low dose group, and the joint swelling in the model group was significantly higher than that in the blank group (P<0.05). In HE staining of ankle joint of CIA mice, the pathological scores of high/small-dose DTYMD groups were significantly lower those of model group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the pathological score of model group was higher than that of blank group (P<0.01). Conclusion::DTYMD might down-regulate MEKK2 to negatively regulate inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and MMP-1, thereby alleviating the inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis.
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To explore the permeation mechanism of micro-molecule medicinal ingredients of water extract of tradition Chinese medicine(TCM) in membrane separation process. With phenolic acid components as the model solute, five phenolic acids with similar molecular weight and structure, namely gallic acid, protocatechuate acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and salicylic acid, were selected in the PES membrane separation experiments. With the relative flux and the transmission rate as indexes, the scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) were used to analyze the permeation mechanism of different phenolic acid components. The results showed phenolic acids with similar molecular weight had different permeation behaviors, with decreased relative flux and increased solute permeation with the increase of solute concentration. According to the permeation behavior analyzed by the molecular structure of solute, the transmission rate of phenolic acids increased with the increase of the number of hydroxyl, and the order of substituent positions of phenolic acids based on the permeation rate as follows: para-substituted > meta-substitution > ortho-substitution. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reflected the role of charge repulsion in the membrane process; that is to say, the greater the resistance is, the less the solute permeation is. Therefore, the permeation phenomenon of the phenolic acid components in the PES membrane is not only the result of simple sieving mechanisms, but also has the effects of steric hindrance and charge repulsion during the membrane process.
Subject(s)
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis , Hydroxybenzoates/isolation & purification , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Membranes, Artificial , Molecular Structure , Molecular WeightABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the feasibility of Sonography based Volume Computer Aided Display Heart (SonoVCADheart) in the display of the fetal ventricular outflow views, and compare diameters of fetal aorta (AO) and pulmonary artery (PA) measured by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and SonoVCADheart.@*Methods@#Eighty singleton fetuses in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy in January 2019 in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine were enrolled. Conventional 2DE examinations were performed. The volume datasets were analyzed offline using the new automatic image processing software SonoVCADheart. The diameters of AO and PA were measured by 2DE and SonoVCADheart, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between the two methods. The consistency of the two methods was verified by Bland-Altman analysis, and he reliability of SonoVCADheart was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).@*Results@#Fetal ventricular outflow views were successfully obtained using SonoVCADheart in 73(91.2%) of 80 fetuses. There were good correlations between the two methods for measuring the diameters of AO and PA (r=0.953, 0.971; all P<0.001). The 95% agreement limits of AO and PA were (-0.669, 0.568)mm and (-0.632, 0.580)mm, respectively. ICC demonstrated that SonoVCADheart achieved great repeatability both between and within observers.@*Conclusions@#SonoVCADheart may have potentials for the quantitative evaluation of fetal ventricular outflow tracts with its good repeatability and reliability.
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Objective To evaluate the application value of fetal heart echocardiography intelligent navigation (5D Heart) in the display of key diagnostic elements in five rapid screening fetal echocardiographic views.Methods Three hundred and eighty-four 3D volume datasets of 220 normal singleton fetuses in the second and third trimesters were acquired.After processing the datasets using 5D Heart,five rapid screening views were acquired,and 21 key diagnostic elements of the five cardiac diagnostic sections were graded.The 2 test was used to compare the difference in the key diagnostics elements of the five rapid screening views between 5D heart and the traditional technique.Pearson correlation was used to compare the detection rate of key diagnostic elements between 5D Heart technique and traditional two-dimensional echocardiography in normal fetuses and fetuses with congenital heart disease.The rank sum test was used to detect the consistency and reliability of the results.Results A total of 384 fetal volume datasets were obtained from 220 fetuses,of whom 317 heart volume datasets were available for analysis,with a success rate of 82.6％.There was no difference in the key diagnostic elements of the five rapid screening views between 5D heart and the traditional technique (x2=5.17,P=0.27).Compared with the abnormal fetal heart group (89.6％),the detection rate of diagnostic elements in the normal fetal heart group was 85.2％ (r=0.94,P=0.02).No significant differences were found when comparing the grading results of one observer in different periods of time,the grading results between two experienced doctors,or the grading results among the experienced doctor and one relatively inexperienced doctor (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Fetal cardiac ultrasound intelligent navigation technique has high reliability and repeatability in obtaining fetal rapid screening views and displaying fetal elemental diagnostic information.It has tremendous potential in standardized data collection and analysis of cardiac diagnostic sections in fetuses with congenial heart disease,as well as in training and teaching,remote medical consultation,and screening in primary hospitals.