Exploring the anatomical factors influencing testes elasticity via ultrasound shear wave elastography: Preliminary results

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anatomical factors influencing elasticity values of normal testicular parenchyma using shear wave elastography (SWE). Methods: This study examined 68 healthy male volunteers (117 testes in which standard transverse axis ultrasonography views could be obtained) via conventional scrotal ultrasonography and SWE. Both the mean (EMean) and standard deviation (ESD) elasticity values were acquired. Results: In the standard transverse axis view of the rete testis at the mid-lateral edge of the testes, the EMean values in 2mm the testicular parenchyma from the rete testis and the testicular capsule at the same level as the rete testis were all significantly larger than in the central zone (P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). The EMean value in the testicular parenchyma 2mm from the testicular capsule on the line formed approximately 45° below the horizontal line of the rete testis was significantly larger than in the rete testis approximately 45° above the horizontal line (P<0.001). In two standard transverse axis views, the ESD values in other regions were significantly larger than those in the central zones (all P<0.001). Also, the EMean values in the transmediastinal arteries were larger than those of the surrounding normal testicular parenchyma (P<0.001). Conclusion: Based on SWE, factors including the testicular capsule, the density of testicular fibrous septa, the depth of the Q-Box™, and the transmediastinal artery may influence the testes elasticity measurement. (AU)

Exploring the anatomical factors influencing testes elasticity via ultrasound shear wave elastography: Preliminary results.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anatomical factors influencing elasticity values of normal testicular parenchyma using shear wave elastography (SWE). METHODS: This study examined 68 healthy male volunteers (117 testes in which standard transverse axis ultrasonography views could be obtained) via conventional scrotal ultrasonography and SWE. Both the mean (EMean) and standard deviation (ESD) elasticity values were acquired. RESULTS: In the standard transverse axis view of the rete testis at the mid-lateral edge of the testes, the EMean values in 2mm the testicular parenchyma from the rete testis and the testicular capsule at the same level as the rete testis were all significantly larger than in the central zone (P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). The EMean value in the testicular parenchyma 2mm from the testicular capsule on the line formed approximately 45° below the horizontal line of the rete testis was significantly larger than in the rete testis approximately 45° above the horizontal line (P<0.001). In two standard transverse axis views, the ESD values in other regions were significantly larger than those in the central zones (all P<0.001). Also, the EMean values in the transmediastinal arteries were larger than those of the surrounding normal testicular parenchyma (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on SWE, factors including the testicular capsule, the density of testicular fibrous septa, the depth of the Q-Box™, and the transmediastinal artery may influence the testes elasticity measurement.

Serum MOTS-C Levels are Decreased in Obese Children and Associated with Vascular Endothelial Function.

Purpose: The increasing prevalence of obesity in children and its associated risk with cardiovascular diseases demand more discovery of the novel biomarkers for developing new treatment options for this complex disease. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum MOTS-C (a peptide encoded in the mitochondrial genome) levels and vascular endothelial function in obese children. Patients and Methods: A total of 225 obese children (aged 8.1 ± 2.6 years) and 218 healthy children (aged 7.9 ± 2.2 years) were enrolled. Related anthropometric assessment and biochemical evaluation were done in all subjects. Reactive hyperemia index (RHI), as assessed by the peripheral arterial tonometry, was used for evaluation of peripheral endothelial function. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the level of serum MOTS-C. Results: Levels of serum MOTS-C and RHI were lower in the obese children compared with the healthy children (P < 0.01). The RHI level was independently associated with body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and MOTS-C in linear regression analysis. Further analysis showed a significant mediating effect of MOTS-C on the correlation between body mass index and RHI in children, with the ratio of mediating effect value of 9.12%. Conclusion: These data identify that MOTS-C is a previously unknown regulator in the development process of obesity-induced vascular changes.

[Analysis of clinical use of shuxuening injection in treatment of cerebral infarction based on real world].

To know the characteristics of Shuxuening injection used on cerebral infarction patients in clinical practice, 6 053 cases of Hospital information system (HIS) data from 20 hospitals were analyzed. Using the basic description method and association rules to analysis the data. By analysis the data we found that the average age of cerebral infarction patients who used Shuxuening injection is 67.96, 83.94% of patients were aged 46-80. The injection is administered intravenously,with most patients receiving a dosage of 15-20 mL per dose for between 1 and 14 days. It is always combined with aspirin (48.508%), cinepazide maleate injection (22.073%), atorvastatin calcium tablets (18.873%) in clinical practice. When it comes to two drug combinations, it always combined with cinepazide maleate injection and aspirin (8.178%), nicergoline capsules and aspirin (7.63%). Therefore, based on existing data, we give the conclusion that for the treatment of cerebral infarction Shuxuening injection is mainly used for older patients, and is often combination with similar pharmacological effects chemical drugs, which is complied with the guidelines. However, the wrong dose is still exist, doctors should realize the hiding risk.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a 90-year-old Chinese man.

A 90-year-old Chinese man was transferred to the Emergency Department of the Affiliated Shantou Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University for treatment of an acute myocardial infarction. He suffered chest pain with three days of cough, dyspnea and fever. A diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was made in normal coronary arteries from urgent coronary angiography and characteristic apical dyskinesis and basal hyper contractility in left ventriculography. The patient died from severe multi-organ failure on the second day of hospitalization.

[Changes of electroencephalographic background patterns and serum neuron specific enolase levels in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To examine electroencephalographic (EEG) background patterns and serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) levels in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in order to study their roles in assessing clinical progress, severity and prognosis in children with HIE. METHODS: A total of 58 neonates with HIE, including 38 cases of mild, 12 cases of moderate and 8 cases of severe HIE, were enrolled. Thirty normal neonates were used as the control group. Serum NES levels were measured by radioimmunoassay 12-24 hrs and 7-10 days after birth. EEG examination was performed 24 hrs-18 days of age (early stage) and 28-30 days of age (convalescence stage). The neonates with HIE were followed-up, with a duration of 6 months to 3 years. RESULTS: Fifty-five neonates with HIE (94.8%) showed EEG abnormalities in the early stage, but only 2 patients (6.7%) in the control group (p<0.01). EEG background patterns abnormalities in the early stage were found in 90.0% (18/20) of moderate-severe HIE neonates. The proportion was significantly higher than that in the mild HIE group [5.2% (2/38); p<0.01]. Thirteen (72.2%) out of 18 patients with early EEG background patterns abnormalities had poor outcomes. Serum levels of NES in the HIE group were significantly higher than those in the control group 12-24 hrs after birth (p<0.01). EEG background patterns abnormalities and increased serum levels of NES 12-24 hrs after birth were consistent with the clinical grading of HIE. Most of neonates [87.5% (7/8)] who showed abnormal EEG background patterns at the convalescence stage had neurological sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: EEG background patterns and serum NSE levels may be useful in assessment of disease severity and neurological outcome in children with HIE.

[Correlation between pressure-derived coronary collateral flow and Rentrop grade after primary percutaneous intervention of acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between pressure-derived collateral coronary flow (PDCF) and Rentrop grade of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: PDCF, determined by the ratio of P(w)/P(a), was measured in 29 patients with AMI of the first onset who received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 12 h after the onset. Sufficient collateral flow (group A, n=19) was defined as PDCF>0.24 and insufficient collateral flow (group B, n=10) as PDCF< or =0.24. Rentrop grade of the collateral flow was evaluated by coronary angiography. Echocardiography was performed on the 3rd and 30th day after PCI. The left ventricular ejection fraction, end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes, and the related indexes were obtained. RESULT: Rentrop grade was significantly related to PDCF (r=0.75, P<0.01), but a wide range of PDCF was observed in patients with Rentrop grade< or =1. CONCLUSION: PDCF measurement allows quantitative evaluation of the collateral flow in patients with AMI.