A case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy combined with muscular ventricular septal defect and abnormal origin of right coronary artery.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a myocardial disease. However, the coexistence of HCM with muscular ventricular septal defect (VSD), especially those with both incomplete spontaneous closure and coronary abnormal origin, is relatively rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We report herein a unique case of HCM accompanied with incomplete spontaneous closure of muscular VSD and abnormal origin of right coronary artery (RCA) in a 26-year-old man, which was diagnosed by combination of transthoracic 2-dimensional (2D), color Doppler, Contrast-enhanced echocardiography and computed tomography angiography (CTA). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report that HCM along with the incomplete spontaneous closure of muscular VSD and anomalous RCA arising from left coronary sinus was revealed through combination of transthoracic 2D, color Doppler, Contrast-enhanced echocardiography and CTA. These observations indicated that other associated anomalies in patients with HCM could be easily missed if examined by the single echocardiography. Therefore, HCM-associated congenital abnormalities should be screened by combination of transthoracic 2D, color Doppler, contrast-enhanced echocardiography, and CTA.

Breeding Habitat Selection of Reeves's Pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii) in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve, Henan Province, China.

Reeves's Pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii) is a threatened pheasant species endemic to China. The habitat use of territorial male birds was surveyed by the help of live decoys in a core area of Dongzhai National Nature Reserve. The breeding habitat selection of this pheasant was examined at two scales (115 m and 250 m scale, i.e. 4.15 hm(2 ) and 19.63 hm(2 ), respectively), including the characteristics at distance scale. Investigation was based on line transect, RS and GIS in Dongzhai National Natural Reserve from 2001 to 2003. Moreover, a range of habitat variables were compared between used and control points at each scale, and stepwise logistic regression was applied to select the key scale and the key habitat factors in relation to breeding habitat selection of this bird. Our results stated that the territorial males at Baiyun occurred mostly in mixed forests, followed by fir forests, pine forests, shrubs, and broadleaf forests. The area of conifer forests was the key factor influencing habitat selection of this bird in breeding period at the scales of 115 m and 250 m, and the proximity of farmland was important for habitat selection in breeding seasons. Furthermore, Reeves's Pheasants attached great importance to the scale of 115 m. When considering a range of habitat variables at all scales within a multivariate regression, the leading factors having effect on habitat selection in the breeding period were areas of conifer forests at 115 m scale and the distance to farmland. In addition, these above results suggested that strengthening the management of suitable habitat, and optimizing the habitat configuration are important in promoting conservation of this bird. However, it also highlighted the importance of initiating future researches on the conifer forests and their impact on the population of Reeves's Pheasants, which would be beneficial to promote the habitat conservation of this pheasant more effectively.