Role of conventional MD staging in modern era of hydrops MR imaging.

Objective/Hypothesis: This study correlated stage of Meniere's disease (MD) with MR imaging of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) to assess the role of MD staging in modern era. Study Design: Retrospective study. Methods: Fifty-four MD patients (60 ears) underwent an inner ear test battery and were further confirmed by MR imaging. Sixty MD ears were divided into stages I-IV, and hydrops MR images at each stage were compared. Results: Hydrops MRI demonstrated that EH at the cochlea with respective Grades 0/I/II were 3/7/1 ears for stage I, 0/5/3 ears for stage II, 1/6/26 ears for stage III and 0/2/6 ears for stage IV. Significant relationship was not identified between MD stage and grades of cochlear hydrops. Similarly, no significant relationship was shown between MD stage and grades of vestibular (saccular/utricular) hydrops. The optimal cutoff value of four-tone average for predicting severe type (Grade II-III) cochlear/vestibular EH was 48 dB, which was within the stage III. Hence, prevalence of severe type (Grade II) cochlear EH in stages III (79%) and IV (75%) was significantly higher than stages I (9%) and II (38%). Similarly, severe type saccular/utricular EH in stages III (64%) and IV (75%) also showed significantly higher than stages I (18%) and II (25%). Conclusion: Although conventional MD staging fails to correlate with the grades of EH on hydrops MRI, late-stage MD may indicate heightened EH severity in the cochlea and vestibule. Level of Evidence: 4.

Vertigo/dizziness following COVID-19 vaccination.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the vertigo/dizziness in patients following COVID-19 vaccination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 2021 to June 2022, totaling 50 patients with dizzy spells following COVID-19 vaccination by AZ (AstraZeneca-Oxford University, AZD1222), BNT (Pfizer-BioNTech, BNT162b2) or Moderna (Moderna, mRNA-1273) vaccine were enrolled in this study. The interval from vaccination to the onset of vertigo/dizziness was compared with inter-episodic interval of vertigo/dizziness in the same patients, but without vaccination, during past one year (2020). RESULTS: The incidences of severe systemic complication per 106 shots were 0.86 for Moderna vaccine, 1.22 for AZ vaccine, and 1.23 for BNT vaccine. Conversely, rate of post-vaccination vertigo/dizziness was noted in the Moderna group (66 %), followed by the AZ group (20 %) and the BNT (14 %) group, meaning that type of COVID-19 vaccine may affect various organ systems. The median time to the onset of vertigo/dizziness following vaccination is 10d, which is consistent with the onset of IgG production, and significantly less than inter-episodic interval (84d) in the same patients without vaccination. CONCLUSION: Post-vaccination vertigo/dizziness can manifest as exacerbation of previous neurotological disorder. The median time to the onset of vertigo/dizziness following COVID-19 vaccination is 10d. Since the outcome is fair after supportive treatment, the immunomodulatory effect of the vaccines does not undermine the necessity of the COVID-19 vaccination.

The analgesic effects of ß-elemene in rats with neuropathic pain by inhibition of spinal astrocytic ERK activation.

Neuropathic pain takes a heavy toll on individual well-being, while current therapy is far from desirable. Herein, we assessed the analgesic effect of ß-elemene, a chief component in the traditional Chinese medicine Curcuma wenyujin, and explored the underlying mechanisms at the level of spinal dorsal horn (SDH) under neuropathic pain. A spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced neuropathic pain model was established in rats. Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of ß-elemene was administered for 21 consecutive days. Mechanical allodynia was explored by von Frey filaments. The activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family (including ERK, p38, and JNK) in spinal neurons, astrocytes, and microglia was evaluated using immunostaining 29 days after SNI surgery. The expression of GFAP, Iba-1, p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38 within the SDH was measured using immunoblotting. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines (including TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) were measured with ELISA. The levels of oxidative stress indicators (including MDA, SOD, and GSH-PX) were detected using biochemical tests. Consecutive i.p. administration of ß-elemene relieved SNI-induced mechanical allodynia (with an EC50 of 16.40 mg/kg). SNI significantly increased the expression of p-ERK in spinal astrocytes but not microglia on day 29. ß-elemene reversed spinal astrocytic ERK activation and subsequent upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in SNI rats, with no effect on the expression of p38 and JNK in spinal glia. ß-elemene also exerted antioxidative effects by increasing the levels of SOD and GSH-PX and decreasing the level of MDA. Our results suggest that SNI induces robust astrocytic ERK activation within the SDH in the late phase of neuropathic pain. ß-elemene exerts remarkable analgesic effects on neuropathic pain, possibly by inhibiting spinal astrocytic ERK activation and subsequent neuroinflammatory processes. Our findings suggest that ß-elemene might be a promising analgesic for the treatment of chronic pain.

Plant phenolics mediated bottom-up effects of elevated CO2 on Acyrthosiphon pisum and its parasitoid Aphidius avenae.

Elevated concentrations of atmospheric CO2 can alter plant secondary metabolites, which play important roles in the interactions among plants, herbivorous insects and natural enemies. However, few studies have examined the cascading effects of host plant secondary metabolites on tri-trophic interactions under elevated CO2 (eCO2 ). In this study, we determined the effects of eCO2 on the growth and foliar phenolics of Medicago truncatula and the cascading effects on two color genotypes of Acyrthosiphon pisum (pink vs. green) and their parasitoid Aphidius avenae in the field open-top chambers. Our results showed that eCO2 increased photosynthetic rate, nodule number, yield and the total phenolic content of M. truncatula. eCO2 had contrasting effects on two genotypes of A. pisum; the green genotype demonstrated increased population abundance, fecundity, growth and feeding efficiency, while the pink genotype showed decreased fitness and these were closely associated with the foliar genstein content. Furthermore, eCO2 decreased the parasitic rate of A. avenae independent of aphid genotypes. eCO2 prolonged the emergence time and reduced the emergence rate and percentage of females when associated with the green genotype, but little difference, except for increased percentage of females, was observed in A. avenae under eCO2 when associated with the pink genotype, indicating that parasitoids can perceive and discriminate the qualities of aphid hosts. We concluded that eCO2 altered plant phenolics and thus the performance of aphids and parasitoids. Our results indicate that plant phenolics vary by different abiotic and biotic stimuli and could potentially deliver the cascading effects of eCO2 to the higher trophic levels. Our results also suggest that the green genotype is expected to perform better in future eCO2 because of decreased plant resistance after its infestation and decreased parasitic rate.

Clinical value of genome-wide chromosome microarray technique in diagnosis of fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical value of gnome-wide chromosome microarray (CMA) technique in genetic etiological diagnosis of fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was conducted in 109 women with singleton pregnancy, who were admitted in Nanfang Hospital with the diagnosis of cerebral ventriculomegaly in the fetuses by ultrasound between January, 2014 and December, 2016. Routine karyotype analysis and chromosome microarray analysis were performed to identify the chromosomal abnormalities in the fetuses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Karyotype analysis detected chromosomal abnormalities at a rate of 12.84% in these fetuses, significantly lower than the rate of 26.60% with CMA technique (P=0.004); the combined detection rate of the two techniques was 28.44%. In 17 cases, karyotype analysis yielded normal results while CMA microarray showed abnormalities with an extra abnormal detection rate of 15.60%. Among the 17 fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities, 6 had micro-deletion, 9 had micro-duplication, 1 had both micro-deletion and micro-duplication, and 1 had heterozygous loss of single parent diploid.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CMA technique can be used to detect abnormal chromosomal copy numbers in fetuses with cerebral ventriculomegaly to increase the detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities and facilitate prenatal consultation and prognostic evaluation.</p>

Study of concentration of amniotic fluid alpha-fetal protein in thalassemia fetus

OBJECTIVES@#To test the hypothesis that concentration of amniotic fluid alpha-fetal protein (AFAFP) is increased in thalassemia fetus.@*METHODS@#A total of 135 cases of amniocentesis admitted from July 2013 to December 2014 were included in this study. Among them 98 cases of normal fetuses were assigned into control group and 37 cases of thalassemia fetus were included as thalassemia fetus group. Alpha-fetoprotein levels detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the alpha-fetoprotein concentration were compared between the two groups. There is no significant difference in gestational age between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#1. AFP concentration in thalassemia fetus group was significantly higher than that of normal control group [(1541.65 ± 734.78) μg/mL vs. (2728.84 ± 1539.97) μg/mL], and amniotic fluid AFP concentration was related to fetal thalassemia. 2. AFAFP concentration in pure α-thalassemia fetus was higher than that of β-thalassemia fetus or mixed α- and β-thalassemia fetus, but the difference was not significant.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Concentration of amniotic fluid alpha-fetal protein is increased in thalassemia fetus. AFP concentration in α-thalassemia fetus was higher than that of β-thalassemia or mixed α- and β-thalassemia fetus but difference was not significance. Further studies are needed to explore the possible correlation between Down syndrome and biochemical markers of thalassemia.

Observation of the articular cartilage of osteoarthritis in SIRT1 gene knock-out mice through single staining and compound staining / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To establish osteoarthritis model of the knee joint in mice on the basis of knocking out SIRT1 gene and to observe the differences in the morphology of the cartilage tissue using single staining and compound staining. Methods The knee joint specimens were divided into two groups: SIRT1 -/ - control group ( group A, n=6 ) and SIRT1 -/ - osteoarthritis model group ( group B, n=6 ) . The knee anterior cruciate ligament was traversed, and the ipsilateral medial meniscus was cut to establish an osteoarthritis model of knee joint. HE staining, safranin O-fast green staining, safranin O-alcian blue staining, safranin O staining, fast green staining, alcian blue staining were used to observe the morphological changes in the articular cartilage of the knee. Results Safranin O-fast green staining and safranin O-alcian blue staining showed better results in observation of the morphology of chondrocytes, the structure of cartilage layers, the presence of type II collagen, tide line and the changes of subchondral bone. While the safranin O staining and alcian blue staining had certain advantages in the observation of the defects of cartilage tissue. Conclusions Compared with the single staining, the compound staining used in this study have obvious advantages in obtaining useful information of the cartilage structure in the observation of morphology of cartilage tissues in SIRT1 gene knock-out mice.

Observation of the articular cartilage of osteoarthritis in SIRT1 gene knock-out mice through single staining and compound staining / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To establish osteoarthritis model of the knee joint in mice on the basis of knocking out SIRT1 gene and to observe the differences in the morphology of the cartilage tissue using single staining and compound staining. Methods The knee joint specimens were divided into two groups: SIRT1 -/ - control group ( group A, n=6 ) and SIRT1 -/ - osteoarthritis model group ( group B, n=6 ) . The knee anterior cruciate ligament was traversed, and the ipsilateral medial meniscus was cut to establish an osteoarthritis model of knee joint. HE staining, safranin O-fast green staining, safranin O-alcian blue staining, safranin O staining, fast green staining, alcian blue staining were used to observe the morphological changes in the articular cartilage of the knee. Results Safranin O-fast green staining and safranin O-alcian blue staining showed better results in observation of the morphology of chondrocytes, the structure of cartilage layers, the presence of type II collagen, tide line and the changes of subchondral bone. While the safranin O staining and alcian blue staining had certain advantages in the observation of the defects of cartilage tissue. Conclusions Compared with the single staining, the compound staining used in this study have obvious advantages in obtaining useful information of the cartilage structure in the observation of morphology of cartilage tissues in SIRT1 gene knock-out mice.

Blighted ovum in subfertile patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the incidence and risk factors of blighted ovum in subfertile patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This retrospective analysis was conducted among 2378 patients who were pregnant following embryo transfer at our center from January, 2012 to December, 2015, including cases of early pregnancy losses and simultaneous live births. The cases with early pregnancy losses were divided into embryonic pregnancy and blighted ovum groups based on the presence or absence of an embryonic pole before dilation and curettage. The clinical data of the 3 groups were analyzed for comparisons of the maternal age, paternal age, BMI, AFC, basal FSH, bFSH/bLH, duration of infertility, Gn dosage, Gn days, serum estradiol on the day of HCG administration, endometrium thickness, number of oocyte retrieved, proportion of high-quality embryos transferred, serum β-HCG value on the 10th to 14th days of embryo transfer, infertility type and miscarriage times. The incidences of blighted ovum were compared between cases with different cycles, embryo stages, infertile factors and methods of fertilization.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Maternal age and paternal age, BMI, duration of infertility, infertility type and miscarriage times differed significantly between cases with blighted ovum and those with live births. Serum β-HCG level was the lowest in blighted ovum group followed by embryonic pregnancy group and then by live birth group. Blastocyst transfer was associated with a significantly higher incidence of blighted ovum as compared with cleavage embryo transfer (11.6% vs 5.6%, P=0.000). No significant difference was found in the other parameters among the 3 groups (P>0.05). Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that maternal age, β-HCG level and blastocyst transfer were risk factors of blighted ovum.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Advanced maternal age, low β-HCG level and blastocyst transfer may increase the risk of blighted ovum possibly in association with gene imprinting errors during the early stage of embryo development.</p>

Study of concentration of amniotic fluid alpha-fetal protein in thalassemia fetus

Objectives To test the hypothesis that concentration of amniotic fluid alpha-fetal protein (AFAFP) is increased in thalassemia fetus. Methods A total of 135 cases of amniocentesis admitted from July 2013 to December 2014 were included in this study. Among them 98 cases of normal fetuses were assigned into control group and 37 cases of thalassemia fetus were included as thalassemia fetus group. Alpha-fetoprotein levels detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the alpha-fetoprotein concentration were compared between the two groups. There is no significant difference in gestational age between the two groups. Results 1. AFP concentration in thalassemia fetus group was significantly higher than that of normal control group [(1 541.65 ± 734.78) μg/mL vs. (2 728.84 ± 1 539.97) μg/mL], and amniotic fluid AFP concentration was related to fetal thalassemia. 2. AFAFP concentration in pure α-thalassemia fetus was higher than that of β-thalassemia fetus or mixed α- and β-thalassemia fetus, but the difference was not significant. Conclusions Concentration of amniotic fluid alpha-fetal protein is increased in thalassemia fetus. AFP concentration in α-thalassemia fetus was higher than that of β-thalassemia or mixed α- and β-thalassemia fetus but difference was not significance. Further studies are needed to explore the possible correlation between Down syndrome and biochemical markers of thalassemia.

Effect of globular adiponectin on proliferation, migration and tube formation of ovarian microvascular endothelial cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the effect of globular adiponectin on angiogenesis of ovarian microvascular endothelial cells (OMECs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mouse OMECs were isolated and purified by density gradient centrifugation with Percoll and identified by immunofluorescence analysis of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and endothelial cell marker von Willebrand factor (vWF). The capillary-like tube formation of OMECs was determined by vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) treatment in Matrigel matrix. OMECs treated with recombinant globular adiponectin protein were examined for cell proliferation with MTS assay and cell migration with scratch wound healing assay, and capillary-like tube formation was tested in Matrigel matrix. Western blotting was performed to detect the effect of globular adiponectin on AMPK phosphorylation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The signals of LHR and vWF, but not that of FSHR, were detected in the isolated cells. VEGFA treatment of the cells induced capillary-like tube formation, indicating their properties of ovarian-specific endothelial cells. Treatment with 1 and 3 µg/mL of recombinant globular adiponectin significantly increased the number of OMECs by (158.72∓14.50) % and (186.50∓4.20)% (P<0.01) and resulted in scratch wound closure rates of (49.43∓3.43)% (P<0.05) and (69.67∓1.2) % (P<0.01) respectively. The cells treated with 3 µg/mL globular adiponectin formed a capillary-tube length 6.63∓0.66 folds greater than that formed by the control cells (P<0.01). Treatment of the cells with 3 µg/mL globular adiponectin for 15 and 30 min resulted in pAMPK/AMPK ratios of 0.86∓0.08 and 0.66∓0.13, respectively significantly higher than that in the control cells (0.13∓0.12, P<0.01). Compound C obviously suppressed the tube formation and AMPK phosphorylation induced by globular adiponectin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Globular adiponectin promotes angiogenesis of OMECs through activation of the AMPK signal pathway.</p>

High-throughput transcriptome sequencing analysis provides preliminary insights into the biotransformation mechanism of Rhodopseudomonas palustris treated with alpha-rhamnetin-3-rhamnoside.

BACKGROUND: The purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris has been widely applied to enhance the therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine using novel biotransformation technology. However, comprehensive studies of the R. palustris biotransformation mechanism are rare. Therefore, investigation of the expression patterns of genes involved in metabolic pathways that are active during the biotransformation process is essential to elucidate this complicated mechanism. RESULTS: To promote further study of the biotransformation of R. palustris, we assembled all R. palustris transcripts using Trinity software and performed differential expression analysis of the resulting unigenes. A total of 9725, 7341 and 10,963 unigenes were obtained by assembling the alpha-rhamnetin-3-rhamnoside-treated R. palustris (RPB) reads, control R. palustris (RPS) reads and combined RPB&RPS reads, respectively. A total of 9971 unigenes assembled from the RPB&RPS reads were mapped to the nr, nt, Swiss-Prot, Gene Ontology (GO), Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COGs) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) (E-value <0.00001) databases using BLAST software. A total of 3360 unique differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in RPB versus RPS were identified, among which 922 unigenes were up-regulated and 2438 were down-regulated. The unigenes were mapped to the KEGG database, resulting in the identification of 7676 pathways among all annotated unigenes and 2586 pathways among the DEGs. Some sets of functional unigenes annotated to important metabolic pathways and environmental information processing were differentially expressed between the RPS and RPB samples, including those involved in energy metabolism (18.4% of total DEGs), carbohydrate metabolism (36.0% of total DEGs), ABC transport (6.0% of total DEGs), the two-component system (8.6% of total DEGs), cell motility (4.3% of total DEGs) and the cell cycle (1.5% of total DEGs). We also identified 19 transcripts annotated as hydrolytic enzymes and other enzymes involved in ARR catabolism in R. palustris. CONCLUSION: We present the first comparative transcriptome profiles of RPB and RPS samples to facilitate elucidation of the molecular mechanism of biotransformation in R. palustris. Furthermore, we propose two putative ARR biotransformation mechanisms in R. palustris. These analytical results represent a useful genomic resource for in-depth research into the molecular basis of biotransformation and genetic modification in R. palustris.

Media of rat macrophage NR8383 cells with prostaglandins E2-induced VEGF over-expression promotes migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) in enhancing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in a rat macrophage cell line and the effect of the media from PGE2-inuced rat macrophages on angiogenetic ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Western blotting and qPCR were employed to investigate the expressions of VEGF protein and mRNAs in rat macrophage cell line NR8383 stimulated by PGE2 in the presence or absence of EP2 receptor inhibitor (AH6809) and EP4 receptor inhibitor (AH23848). Conditioned supernatants were obtained from different NR8383 subsets to stimulate HUVECs, and the tube formation ability and migration of the HUVECs were assessed with Transwell assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PGE2 stimulation significantly enhanced the expression of VEGF protein and mRNAs in NR8383 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The supernatants from NR8383 cells stimulated by PGE2 significantly enhanced tube formation ability of HUVECs (P<0.05) and promoted the cell migration. Such effects of PGE2 were blocked by the application of AH6809 and AH23848.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PGE2 can dose-dependently increase VEGF expression in NR8383 cells, and the supernatants derived from PGE2-stimulated NR8383 cells can induce HUVEC migration and accelerate the growth of tube like structures. PGE2 are essential to corpus luteum formation by stimulating macrophages to induce angiogenesis through EP2/EP4.</p>

Study of integrated state of HPV-16 infection in cervical cancer and precancerous tissues / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevalence of physical state of HPV-16 DNA in cervical cancer and cervical precancerous carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Multiplex PCR was adopted to detect the physical state of HPV in samples from 252 patients with cervical carcinoma, including 48 samples of cervical cancer, 204 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN ) (125 CIN I, 46 CIN II and 33 CIN III) and 20 normal samples from the subjects with hysteromyoma undergoing hysterectomy, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 48 patients with cervical cancer, 31 (65.6%) were infected with HPV-16. Eighteen among 31 (58.1%) HPV-16 infected patients with cervical cancer were found to have integrated infection of HPV-16. The positive rates of HPV-16 infection in the patients with CIN I, CIN II and CIN III were 19.2%, 34.8% and 42.4%, and the integrated infection rates of HPV-16 were 16.7%, 18.8% and 35.7%, respectively. Compared with patients with different grades of CIN, the integrated rate of HPV-16 infection in those with cervical cancer was significantly elevated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Among the patients with HPV-16 infection, the integrated state of HPV-16 is positively correlated with the severity of cervical lesions. Combined HPV typing test and detection of integrated viral state contribute to predicting the prognosis of patients with cervical precancerous lesions and increasing the accuracy of screening cervical cancer on the basis of HPV DNA detection.</p>

Research about improving flowability of powder of Chinese herbs extracts by surface modification technology / 中国中药杂志

In this study, modification technology by surface coating was used to improve the flowability of powder of Chinese herbs extracts. Seven kinds of powder of Chinese herbs extracts were coated with 1% silica nanoparticles using an under-driven Comil. The powder characteristics tester was used to evaluate the flowability of uncoated and coated powders. Surface morphology and particle size distribution of powders were compared by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope. The powder hygroscopicity was also investigated. The results showed that, after modification, angle of repose, angle of spatula, compressibility and adhesiveness extremely decreased, and flowability index substantially increased, the powder flowability was significantly improved, especially Gegen and Dahuang extracts powders. Scanning electron microscopy images showed the distribution of silica nanoparticles on the host drug particle surfaces. There were no remarkable changes in the particle size distribution and hygroscopicity of all powders after coating. Therefore, Comilling for surface coating modification technology was an effective method to improve the flowability of Chinese herbs extracts and suggested a possible way forward to enhance the quality of Chinese drugs pharmaceutics in their study and manufacture.

Protective effect of limited fluid resuscitation against intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in postpartum rabbits with uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of limited fluid resuscitation against intestinal ischemia- reperfusion injury in postpartum rabbits with severe uncontrolled obstetrical hemorrhagic shock.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty- four postpartum rabbits were randomly assigned into sham shock group (group P), shock group without interventions (group P0), conventional fluid resuscitation group (group PNL), and limited fluid resuscitation group (group PLH), and the model of severe uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock was established in the latter 3 groups. The rabbits were sacrificed 4 h later, and SOD activity and MDA content in the intestinal mucosa and the degree of injury to the intestinal mucosa were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ischemia-reperfusion injury of the intestine due to uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock resulted in decreased SOD activity and increased MDA content. The MDA content was significantly lower and SOD activity was significantly higher in group PLH than in group PNL (P<0.05), and the intestinal mucosal tissue morphology and intestinal mucosa barrier lesion increased in group PLH.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Initial limited fluid resuscitation can relieve intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in postpartum rabbits with severe uncontrolled obstetrical hemorrhagic shock.</p>

Rapid detection of chromosome number aberration in spontaneously aborted fetuses using fluorescence in situ hybridization / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the value of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the diagnosis of common chromosome number aberration in spontaneously aborted fetuses.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A total of 100 spontaneously aborted fetuses were analyzed by G-banding and by FISH to test chromosome number aberration mainly for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y, and the results of FISH test was assessed according to those by G-banding test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>FISH results were well consistent with those by G-banding test. FISH test identified trisomy in 32 samples and polyploidy in 7 samples. Two samples with cell culture failure were found to have trisomy 16 by FISH. Discrepancies in the results between the two tests occurred in 3 samples, but the results of FISH were verified by other methods. Kappa test between FISH technology and G-banding showed a good consistency between FISH and karyotyping (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FISH is an effective and rapid method for detecting chromosome number aberration in spontaneously aborted fetuses, and the combination of FISH and karyotyping provides more reliable diagnostic evidence.</p>

Perinatal management and outcome of different types of fetal arrhythmia / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the perinatal management and outcome of different types of fetal arrhythmia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was conducted among the fetuses with arrhythmia identified by M-mode and pulsed Doppler echocardiography in a single institution between October 2003 and December 2010.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 130 fetuses were found to have fetal arrhythmia. The most common arrhythmia during pregnancy was extrasystole (n=59), followed by bradycardia (n=23), tachycardia (n=16), atrial flutter (AF, n=3), atrioventricular block (AVB, n=12) and other arrhythmia (n=17). The overall incidence of cardiac anomalies (commonly fetal bradycardia) was 9.2% in these cases. The prognosis of arrhythmia differed significantly between cases of different classifications. The type of fetal arrhythmia (P=0.024), presence of congenital heart defect (CHD, P=0.000) and fetal hydrops (P=0.008) were significant risk factors associated with termination of pregnancy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fetal arrhythmias without CHD or hydrops under close monitoring often have good clinical outcome, while fetal bradycardia is associated with a high mortality rate. CHD and the presence of fetal hydrops are significant risk factors for pregnancy termination.</p>

Risk factors of premature rupture of membranes with neonatal infection: a single-center study / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the high-risk factors of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) with neonatal infection and explore their clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two cases of PROM with neonatal infections were retrospectively analyzed for the risk factors with another 42 PROM cases matched for gestational age without neonatal infections as the control group. The relations of gestational age, time from membrane rupture to delivery, mode of delivery, placental pathology, maternal serum C-reactive protein concentration, leukocyte and neutrophil values to neonatal infections were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The time from membrane rupture to delivery was significantly longer and the incidence of chorioamnionitis significantly higher in the study group (P<0.05). Meningitis and neonatal sepsis occurred at a significantly higher incidence in preterm PROM group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>An appropriate extension of the gestation weeks and timely termination of pregnancy after dynamic monitoring of the biochemical changes and identification of the signs of infection are important to reduce the incidence of neonatal infection.</p>

Retrospective analysis of 125 cases of pregnancies complicated by rheumatic heart disease / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the impact of rheumatic heart disease on pregnancy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was conducted in 125 pregnant women with rheumatic heart disease. These cases were divided into operation (group A) and non-operation (group B), and the cardiac function, pregnancy complications, gestational weeks, delivery modes and outcomes of pregnancy were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cardiac function was significantly improved and pregnancy complications reduced after the cardiac operation with extended gestational weeks, showing significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). One perinatal fetal death without maternal death occurred in group A, as compared with two maternal and two perinatal deaths in group B. Cesarean section was the primary delivery mode in these cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Surgical interventions can improve the cardiac function, reduce the pregnancy complications and improve the pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with rheumatic heart disease. Cesarean section is the primary choice for pregnant women with prosthetic heart valve replacement.</p>