Blood Flow Index Research Articles

Effect of a delay mode of a ventricular assist device on hemodynamics of the cardiovascular system

The implantation of biventricular assist device (BiVAD) is more challenging than that of left ventricular assist device for the interaction in the process of multiple input and output. Besides, ventricular assist device (VAD) often runs in constant speed (CS) mode in clinical use and thus BiVAD also faces the problems of low pulsation and imbalance of blood volume between systemic circulation and pulmonary circulation. In this paper, a delay assist mode for a VAD by shortening the support time of VAD was put forward. Then, the effect of the delay mode on cardiac output, pulsation and the function of the aortic valve was observed by numerical method and the rules of hemodynamics were revealed. The research showed that compared with VAD supported in CS mode, the VAD using delay mode in systolic and diastolic period proposed in this paper could meet the demand of cardiac output perfusion and restore the function of the arterial valves. The open ratio of aortic valve (AV) and pulmonary valve (PV) increased with the time set in delay mode, and the blood through the AV/PV helped to balance the left and the right cardiac volume. Besides, delay mode also improved the pulsation index of arterial blood flow, which is conducive to the recovery of the ventricular pulse function of patients.

Embodying an artificial hand increases blood flow to the investigated limb [version 3; peer review: 2 approved

BackgroundThe autonomic nervous system is the main determinant of the blood flow directed towards a body part, and it is tightly connected to the representation of the body in the brain; would the experimental modulation of the sense of limb ownership affect its blood perfusion?MethodsIn healthy participants, we employed the rubber hand illusion paradigm to modulate limb ownership while we monitored the brachial artery blood flow and resistance index within the investigated limb.ResultsIn all conditions with brush-stroking, we found an initial drop in the blood flow due to tactile stimulation. Subsequently, in the illusion condition (where both the rubber and real hand synchronous brush-stroking were present), the blood flow rose significantly faster and reached significantly higher values. Moreover, the increase in blood flow correlated with the extent of embodiment as measured by questionnaires and correlated negatively with the change of peripherical vascular resistance.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that modulating the representation of a body part impacts its blood perfusion.

Effect of Zhujingqiaoyun Receptivity of Infertility with Kidney Deficiency Based on Ultrasonic Evaluation.

Objective This study aims to explore the effect of the prescription for Zhujingqiaoyun receptivity in patients with infertility. Methods This project is a prospective randomized controlled clinical study, including infertility diagnostic criteria and dialectical kidney deficiency patients. 60 cases were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group, where medication complex packing estradiol tablets were given, and the treatment group, on the basis of the control group, which was given Zhujingqiaoyun receptivity plus or minus. Transvaginal ultrasound was used to observe the endometrial thickness, endometrial volume, endometrial blood supply, and other aspects of patients in the two groups to evaluate the endometrial receptivity before and after treatment, and to record the pregnancy rate and safety of patients in the two groups after three menstrual cycles. Results There was no significant difference in age, course of disease, and endometrial thickness between the two groups (P > 0.05). Before and after treatment, the endometrial thickness of the two groups increased significantly, and the uterine artery blood flow pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The endometrial volume in the control group was significantly lower than that in the treatment group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The endometrial FI and VFI in the control group were significantly lower than those in the treatment group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the treatment group, 30 cases were treated for 3 months, and 11 of those were pregnant (36.7%). There were 30 cases in the control group, and 5 cases were pregnant (16.67%). Both groups had good safety. SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used for the chi-square test. Conclusion Zhujingqiaoyun receptivity on endometrial receptivity can treat infertility patients with good efficacy, increasing endometrial thickness and reducing uterine artery blood flow index. It is worthy of clinical promotion to improve pregnancy rates.

Comparison of superovulatory responses to a standardized hormonal superstimulation protocol among three indigenous breeds of sheep in Brazil

This study examined the differences in ovarian responses and in vivo embryo production in three naturalized Brazilian sheep breeds (Morada Nova, Santa Inês, and Somalis Brasileira). Thirty cycling, multiparous ewes (n = 10/breed) received intravaginal devices containing 0.33 g of progesterone (CIDR®) for 9 days and the twice-daily superovulatory treatment with 133 mg of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (six decreasing doses) started on Day 7 (Day 0 PM = CIDR® insertion). On Days 11 (36 h after CIDR® removal) and 15 (12 h before non-surgical embryo recovery performed seven days after CIDR® removal), all ewes were examined using B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography. The number of medium-sized ovarian follicles (4.0–5.99 mm) on Day 11 was greater (P = 0.003) in Santa Inês and Somalis Brasileira compared with Morada Nova ewes. Small antral follicle numbers (2.0–3.99 mm in diameter) on Day 11 were directly related to ovulatory responses in all three breeds of superovulated ewes. The number of corpora lutea on Day 15 was greater (P < 0.0001) in Santa Inês, followed by Somalis Brasileira and Morada Nova ewes; however, the number of viable embryos and viability rate did not differ (P > 0.05) among the three genotypes of ewes studied. The total ovarian area (TA), color Doppler area (DA), and DA/TA × 100% increased from Day 11 to Day 15 in all breeds, and they were lowest (P < 0.001) in superovulated Morada Nova sheep. Significant positive correlations among ovarian antral follicle numbers in different size classes (Day 11) and ovulatory responses were recorded in all breeds, but associations between the ovarian blood perfusion and superovulatory outcomes were restricted to the Morada Nova and Santa Inês genotypes. In summary, ovarian follicle numbers and blood flow indices differed among the three naturalized Brazilian ewes, but no significant differences were noted in embryo yields and quality following superovulation. Small antral follicle count 36 h after CIDR® treatment was a reliable predictor of impending ovulation rates in all ewes under study.

Assessment of uterine receptivity by endometrial and sub-endometrial blood flow using SlowflowHD in hormone prepared frozen embryo transfer cycles: a pilot study.

Utilizing SlowflowHD as a measurement of endometrial and sub-endometrial blood flow in women with infertility undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles and correlation with pregnancy outcomes. A prospective pilot study of 99 women undergoing hormone replacement FET cycles. Ultrasounds were performed with Voluson E8 at 3-time points: day 15, day of transfer, and 11days post transfer (T + 11). SlowflowHD Doppler blood flow indices in the endometrium and sub-endometrium were compared in women who achieved pregnancy with those who did not. Using SlowflowHD, both pregnant and non-pregnant women had similar trends with decreased endometrial blood flow day of transfer compared with day 15. However, there was a borderline significantly lower mean percentage decrease of endometrial blood flow in women achieving a pregnancy (28.3% vs 42.9%). Significantly higher numbers of pregnant women had a 20% or less decrease in blood flow (21 vs 9) with increases in mean percentage blood flow on T + 11 (pregnant 39.59% vs non-pregnant 25.20%). The RI and S/D ratio in the spiral arteries was also significantly higher on transfer day in women who had a live birth RI (0.68 vs 0.65) and S/D (3.91 vs 3.17). There are blood flow changes both in pregnant and non-pregnant patients with decreases in blood flow after progesterone replacement. Pregnancy and live births were associated with a lower mean percentage drop in blood flow from day 15 to the day of transfer and elevated RI and S/D ratio on transfer day.

Оценка возрастных изменений параметров глазного кровотока диска зрительного нерва методом лазерной спекл-флоуграфии

The most common eye diseases, including glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, are associated with impaired perfusion of the eye. To date, LSFG is a reliable method for quantifying ocular circulation. Purpose. To assess the ocular blood flow age- related changes using Laser Speckle Flowgraphy (LSFG). Material and methods. This cross-sectional study included 90 eyes of 45 healthy, non-smoking volunteers, between 20 to 75 years old. LSFG instrument was applied to measure ocular blood flow at the optic nerve head. The mean blur rate (MBR), a measure of relative blood flow velocity, was obtained for different regions of the ONH. Three parameters of ocular perfusion derived from the pulse-waveform analysis of MBR for big vessels (MV) and microcirculatory bad (MT) including blowout time (BOT), blowout score (BOS) and resistivity index (RI) were also recorded. Results. Artifact-free LSFG images meeting the quality criteria for automated image analysis were obtained. Measurements of MBR showed excellent repeatability. MBR-related blood flow indices exhibited significant age dependence (p&lt;0.05). BOT, BOS and RI changes also analysed. Conclusion. LSFG represents a reliable method for the quantitative assessment of ocular blood flow. Our data affirms that the LSFG-parameters may be useful biomarkers of ocular perfusion for age-related and patologic changes. Key words: ocular perfusion, microcirculation, optic nerve disc, laser speckle flowgraphy, LSFG, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy

Cortical Spreading Depolarization, Blood Flow, and Cognitive Outcomes in a Closed Head Injury Mouse Model of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Cortical spreading depolarizations (CSDs) are associated with worse outcomes in many forms of acute brain injury, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). Animal models could be helpful in developing new therapies or biomarkers to improve outcomes in survivors of TBI. Recently, investigators have observed CSDs in murine models of mild closed head injury (CHI). We designed the currently study to determine additional experimental conditions under which CSDs can be observed, from mild to relatively more severe TBI. Adult male C57Bl/6J mice (8-14weeks old) were anesthetized with isoflurane and subjected to CHI with an 81-g weight drop from 152 or 183cm. CSDs were detected with minimally invasive visible light optical intrinsic signal imaging. Cerebral blood flow index (CBFi) was measured in the 152-cm drop height cohort using diffuse correlation spectroscopy at baseline before and 4min after CHI. Cognitive outcomes were assessed at 152- and 183-cm drop heights for the Morris water maze hidden platform, probe, and visible platform tests. CSDs occurred in 43% (n = 12 of 28) of 152-cm and 58% (n = 15 of 26) of 183-cm drop height CHI mice (p = 0.28). A lower baseline preinjury CBFi was associated with development of CSDs in CHI mice (1.50 ± 0.07 × 10-7 CHI without CSD [CSD-] vs. 1.17 ± 0.04 × 10-7 CHI with CSD [CSD+], p = 0.0001). Furthermore, in CHI mice that developed CSDs, the ratio of post-CHI to pre-CHI CBFi was lower in the hemisphere ipsilateral to a CSD compared with non-CSD hemispheres (0.19 ± 0.07 less in the CSD hemisphere, p = 0.028). At a 152-cm drop height, there were no detectable differences between sham injured (n = 10), CHI CSD+ (n = 12), and CHI CSD- (n = 16) mice on Morris water maze testing at 4weeks. At a 183-cm drop height, CHI CSD+ mice had worse performance on the hidden platform test at 1-2weeks versus sham mice (n = 15 CHI CSD+, n = 9 sham, p = 0.045), but there was no appreciable differences compared with CHI CSD- mice (n = 11 CHI CSD-). The data suggest that a lower baseline cerebral blood flow prior to injury may contribute to the occurrence of a CSD. Furthermore, a CSD at the time of injury can be associated with worse cognitive outcome under the appropriate experimental conditions in a mouse CHI model of TBI.

Physiological Responses to Acute Cycling With Blood Flow Restriction.

Aerobic exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) can improve muscular function and aerobic capacity. However, the extent to which cuff pressure influences acute physiological responses to aerobic exercise with BFR is not well documented. We compared blood flow, tissue oxygenation, and neuromuscular responses to acute cycling with and without BFR. Ten participants completed four intermittent cycling (6 × 2 min) conditions: low-load cycling (LL), low-load cycling with BFR at 60% of limb occlusion pressure (BFR60), low-load cycling with BFR at 80% of limb occlusion pressure (BFR80), and high-load cycling (HL). Tissue oxygenation, cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and perceptual responses were assessed during cycling and blood flow was measured during recovery periods. Pre- to post-exercise changes in knee extensor function were also assessed. BFR60 and BFR80 reduced blood flow (~33 and ~ 50%, respectively) and tissue saturation index (~5 and ~15%, respectively) when compared to LL (all p < 0.05). BFR60 resulted in lower VO2, heart rate, ventilation, and perceived exertion compared to HL (all p < 0.05), whereas BFR80 resulted in similar heart rates and exertion to HL (both p > 0.05). BFR60 and BFR80 elicited greater pain compared to LL and HL (all p < 0.05). After exercise, knee extensor torque decreased by ~18 and 40% for BFR60 and BFR80, respectively (both p < 0.05), and was compromised mostly through peripheral mechanisms. Cycling with BFR increased metabolic stress, decreased blood flow, and impaired neuromuscular function. However, only BFR60 did so without causing very severe pain (>8 on pain intensity scale). Cycling with BFR at moderate pressure may serve as a potential alternative to traditional high-intensity aerobic exercise.

Effects of Transient Electrical Acupuncture Stimulation Combined With Rehabilitation Training on Hemorheology, Neurological Function and BDNF in Patients With Cerebral Infarction.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of transient electric acupuncture stimulation combined with rehabilitation training on hemorheology, neurological function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in patients with cerebral infarction (CI).MethodsA total of 90 patients with CI were admitted to our hospital from March 2019 to March 2021. According to the random number table method, 90 patients were divided into a control group (was treated with transient electrical acupuncture stimulation intervention treatment) and a therapy group (was treated with rehabilitation training on the basis of the control group), with 45 cases in each group. NIHSS score to detect neurological deficit; FMA score to detect motor function recovery; the clinical efficacy of the two groups of patients were compared; blood rheology analyzer to detect whole blood high shear viscosity, whole blood low shear viscosity, platelet aggregation rate and fibrinogen indicators; ELISA detects the content of BDNF in serum.ResultsThere was no significant difference in NIHSS score, FMA score, clinical efficacy, hemorheology index, and BDNF content between the two groups of patients before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the NIHSS score, whole blood high shear visible, whole blood low shear visible, platelet aggregation rate and fibrinogen index of the two groups were lower than those before treatment, and the FMA score and BDNF content of the two groups were higher than those before treatment, and all the above indicators in the therapy group changed significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the clinical efficacy of the therapy group was better than that of the control group (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe combination of transient electrical acupuncture stimulation and rehabilitation training can inhibit the blood flow index of patients with CI, improve the nerve function, increase the content of BDNF in the patient's serum, and restore the patient's nerve function.

Evaluation of peripapillary vascular flow in patients with Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy (TAO) by OCT Angiography

PurposeTo evaluate changes in peripapillary vascular blood flow indices (PVBFI) in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) using OCT angiography (OCTA) technology.MethodsPatients with TAO and control subjects matched for age and sex were included in the study. Eye examination, Clinical Activity Score (CAS) evaluation and OCTA scan analysis (Topcon ImageNet 6; DRI OCT Triton, Topcon Corporation) were performed. In particular, PVBFI of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), outer retina (OR) and choriocapillaris (CC) layers were obtained by OCTA and extracted from 8-bit greyscale OCT images using the ImageJ software package.ResultsTwenty-six patients with TAO (19 females, mean age 54.7 ± 5.2 and 7 males, mean age 51.4 ± 16.3) were compared with 26 healthy subjects (15 females, mean age 48.2 ± 14.1 and 11 males, mean age 53.1 ± 15.2). Both DCP-PVBF and CC-PVBFI were significantly reduced in TAO patients compared to control eyes (28.6 ± 2.1 vs. 29.7 ± 0.93, p = 0.002; 46.5 ± 1.72 vs. 47.2 ± 1.2, p = 0.019 respectively); on the other hand, no statistically significant differences were found in SCP-PVBFI and OR-PVBFI in TAO patients compared to healthy subjects (p > 0.05). Also, CC-PVBFI was associated with elevated values of CAS (p = 0.018) and ROC curve showed that patients with elevated CC-PVBFI were correlated with active TAO (CAS > 3) (p = 0.012).ConclusionsTAO disease may be associated with changes in DCP-PVBFI and CC-PVBFI; also, CC-PVBFI seems to correlate with disease activity.

Aerobic exercise training in older men and women-Cerebrovascular responses to submaximal exercise: Results from the Brain in Motion study.

Physical inactivity is a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, cognitive dysfunction, and global mortality. Regular exercise might mitigate age‐related declines in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular function. In this study, we hypothesize that a 6‐month aerobic exercise intervention will lead to a decrease in cerebrovascular resistance index (CVRi) and to an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrovascular conductance index (CVCi) during two submaximal exercise workloads (40% VO2max and 65 W), intensities that have been shown to be comparable to activities of daily life. Two hundred three low‐active healthy men and women enrolled in the Brain in Motion study, completed a 6‐month exercise intervention and underwent submaximal and maximal tests pre‐/post‐intervention. The intervention improved the gas exchange threshold and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), with no change in heart rate at VO2max, during the treadmill VO2max test. Heart rate and CVRi decreased from pre‐intervention values during both relative (40% VO2max) and absolute (65 W) submaximal exercise tests. Blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery and CVCi increased post‐intervention during 40% VO2max and 65 W. Changes in mean arterial pressure were found only during the absolute component (65 W). Our study demonstrates that aerobic exercise improves not only cardiorespiratory indices but also cerebrovascular function at submaximal workloads which may help to mitigate age‐related declines in everyday life. Investigation of the mechanisms underlying the decline in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular capacity with aging has important implications for the maintenance of health and continued independence of older adults.

Value of cerebral hypoxic-ischemic injury markers in the early diagnosis of sepsis associated encephalopathy in burn patients with sepsis

Value of cerebral hypoxic-ischemic injury markers in the early diagnosis of sepsis associated encephalopathy in burn patients with sepsis

Presumed Normal Hemodynamic Values of the Arteries in the Final Third Period of Gestation in Bitches

Background: Doppler ultrasonography enables the investigation of vascular blood flow indexes in gestational assessment, being able to detect vascular resistances that can affect fetal and maternal circulation, such as cases of placental insufficiency, associated with fetal cerebral oxygenation deficit and fetal distress. The study aims to assume hemodynamically normal values in the final third of gestation in bitches, of the umbilical, uteroplacental, middle cerebral and internal carotid arteries, correlating the obtained Doppler velocimetric indexes, for the assessment of the feto-placental circulation, and prediction of fetal viability indexes, fetal centralization and probable date of delivery.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Thirty healthy bitches were examined in the final third of gestation (40-60 days). These were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography at 2 times (T): T1: between 40-50 days; T2: between 51-60 of gestation. At each time point, the peak systolic velocities (PSV) and end-diastolic velocities (EDV) used to obtain the pulsatility (IP) and resistivity (IR) indexes of the umbilical, uteroplacental, middle cerebral and internal carotid arteries of fetuses were evaluated. Also, the systole/diastole (S/D) ratio of these vessels was evaluated. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey test, using a P value equal to 5%. A significant difference was observed between velocities and Doppler velocimetric indexes between the 2 phases of the gestational final third in all studied vessels. There was an increase in the values of PSV and EDV and a decrease in the indexes, as the probable date of delivery approached. The analysis of the umbilical cord IR showed an increase from P1 to P2 (P &lt; 0.05), while the IP decreased at the same time. For all studied variables there was a statistically significant difference (P &lt; 0.05). In the uteroplacental artery, similarly to the umbilical artery, the PSV and EDV values showed an increase between P1 and P2, while the S/D ratio decreased up to 60 days of gestation (P2). The IR and IP of these vessels decreased during the study interval in pregnant bitches. The studied variables showed a statistically significant difference when analyzed comparatively between P1 and P2 (P &lt; 0.05). As for the middle cerebral artery and internal carotid artery, the PSV and EDV values increased until the end of pregnancy. Likewise, the Doppler velocimetric values and the S/D ratio decreased until the end of pregnancy (P2).Discussion: The hemodynamic values obtained for the umbilical artery and uterine artery were significantly different between 40 and 50 days of gestation (P1) and 50 and 60 days of gestation (P2), with a decrease in vascular resistance and an increase in velocities. It can be related to a greater association of maternal-fetal blood perfusion, due to the increased demand for the development of the fetus. The Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) also showed changes between P1 and P2, with an increase in PSV and EDV in the final third of pregnancy, and the S/D ratio was reduced, differing significantly between P1 and P2. The systolic (PSV) and diastolic (EDV) flow velocities of the internal carotid artery increased progressively, while the IR, IP and the S/D ratio decreased, between the evaluated periods (P1 and P2), providing greater flow in canine fetuses, maintaining normal heart rate, indicating positive fetal viability. Keywords: Doppler, gestational ultrasound, bitches, fetal circulation, umbilical artery, internal carotid, fetal middle cerebral artery.

Value of Ultrasonic Image Features in Diagnosis of Perinatal Outcomes of Severe Preeclampsia on account of Deep Learning Algorithm.

This study is aimed at discussing the value of ultrasonic image features in diagnosis of perinatal outcomes of severe preeclampsia on account of deep learning algorithm. 140 pregnant women singleton with severe preeclampsia were selected as the observation group. At the same time, 140 normal singleton pregnant women were selected as the control group. The hemodynamic indexes were detected by color Doppler ultrasound. The CNN algorithm was used to classify ultrasound images of two groups of pregnant women. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), mean pixel accuracy (MPA), and mean intersection of union (MIOU) values of CNN algorithm were 0.9410, 0.9228, and 0.8968, respectively. Accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score were 93.44%, 95.13%, 95.09%, and 94.87%, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the umbilical artery (UA), uterine artery-systolic/diastolic (UTA-S/D), uterine artery (UTA), and digital video (DV) of pregnant women in the observation group were remarkably increased; the minimum alveolar effective concentration (MCA) of the observation group was obviously lower than the MCA of the control group, and the differences between groups were statistically valid (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that UA-S/D, UA-resistance index (UA-RI), UTA-S/D, UTA-pulsatility index (UTA-PI), DV-peak velocity index for veins (DV-PVIV), and MCA-S/D were independent risk factors for the outcome of perinatal children with severe preeclampsia. In the perinatal management of severe epilepsy, the combination of the above blood flow indexes to select the appropriate delivery time had positive significance to improve the pregnancy outcome and reduce the perinatal mortality.

Subclavian Artery Flow Dynamics Evaluated by Analytical Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Videoangiography During Surgical Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Case Series.

Indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography is rarely used during the surgical treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). To evaluate subclavian artery (SA) flow dynamics using the analytical ICG videoangiography during TOS surgeries. We examined patients with neurogenic TOS who received surgical treatment and whose SA blood flow at the interscalene space was evaluated using ICG videoangiography equipped with an analytical function (FLOW800). Anterior scalenectomy with or without middle scalenectomy and first rib resection were conducted for decompression of the brachial plexus. ICG videoangiography was performed before and after decompression of the brachial plexus. After acquisition of grayscale and color-coded maps, a region of interest was placed in the SA to obtain time-intensity diagrams. Maximum intensity (MI), rise time (RT), and blood flow index (BFi) were calculated from the diagram, in arbitrary intensity (AI) units. We compared values before and after decompression. Comparisons of the three parameters before and after decompression were assessed statistically using the paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. We evaluated nine procedures in consecutively presenting patients. The observed mean values of MI, RT, and BFi before decompression were 174.1 ± 61.5 AI, 5.2 ± 1.1 s, and 35.2 ± 13.5 AI/s, respectively, and the observed mean values of MI, RT, and BFi after decompression were 299.3 ± 167.4 AI, 6.6 ± 0.8 s, and 44.6 ± 28.3 AI/s, respectively. These parameters showed higher values after decompression than before decompression, and the increase in MI and RT was statistically significant (P < .05). ICG videoangiography allows semiquantitative evaluation of hemodynamic changes during TOS surgery. A marked decrease in the velocity of SA flow was observed after decompression.

Plasma and amniotic fluid concentrations of nitric oxide: Effects on uterine artery and placental vasculature in women who underwent voluntary pregnancy termination and in women with missed and threatened abortion. A pilot study

ObjectivesFirst trimester miscarriage is a multifactorial event. Various angiogenic factors have been proposed as possible early markers of non-viable pregnancies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the systemic nitric oxide (NO) production in healthy early pregnancy and its possible role in first trimester miscarriage. Study designWe prospectively enrolled women referred to our Unit for elective termination of pregnancy, threatened abortion or missed abortion. Blood samples were taken for testing circulating NO plasma levels. Subsequently, all patients underwent 2-D ultrasonographic analysis and Color Doppler imaging to assess the pulsatility index of the uterine arteries. 3-D ultrasonographic and power Doppler analysis allowed a volumetric and vascular reconstruction of the placenta. During dilatation and vacuum aspiration, amniotic fluid was collected. ResultsSeventy-two patients were enrolled: 25 with elective termination of pregnancy (Group I); 17 with threatened abortion (Group II); 30 with missed abortion (Group III). Group II showed greater placental volume and lower uterine arteries PI than others. The plasma NO concentration resulted statistically higher in women with threatened abortion, while amniotic fluid NO concentration were higher in the viable pregnancies (Group I) than in the aborted fetuses (Group III). Plasma NO was inversely correlated with both mean arterial pressure and uterine artery PI and was positively correlated with amniotic fluid NO and CRL; amniotic fluid NO was positively correlated with placental Vascularization Index and Vascularization-Flow Index. ConclusionAmniotic NO concentration was higher in viable pregnancies and positively related to Doppler 3D indices of vascularization and blood flow within the placenta. Further studies are needed to elucidate its role in first trimester miscarriage.

Effects of Vitamin C Combined with Growth Inhibitors on Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Cirrhosis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin C combined with growth inhibitors on serum miR-130a, nitric oxide (NO), and hemostasis in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in cirrhosis. Eighty patients with cirrhosis UGIB treated in our hospital from March 2021 to March 2022 were selected and divided into two groups using the random number table method. The control group received growth inhibitor treatment, while the observation group was given vitamin C combined with growth inhibitor treatment for 3 d. The hemostatic effect, serum laboratory indexes (miR-130a, NO), liver function indexes (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT)), adverse effects, and 24 h hemostasis rate were compared between the two groups. The hemostasis time in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group, and the blood transfusion volume was lower than that in the control group. There was no statistical difference regarding the portal blood flow, miR-130a, NO, AST, and ALT indexes between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, the portal blood flow, miR-130a, NO, AST, and ALT indexes in both groups were lower than those before treatment, and all of them were lower in the observation group than in the control group. Adverse reactions showed no significant difference between the two groups of patients with cirrhosis UGIB,, while the 24 h hemostasis rate in the observation group (97.50%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (77.50%). Vitamin C combined with growth inhibitor was effective in the treatment of cirrhotic UGIB, which could effectively shorten the hemostasis time, reduce the transfusion volume and portal blood flow, and improve miR-130a, NO, and liver function levels of patients, with higher safety, and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Effect of sexual maturation on testicular morphometry and echotexture and their association with intratesticular blood flow in ossimi rams

Twelve Ossimi rams divided into two groups viz., pre-pubertal (4 to 5 months old, n=6), and post-pubertal (30 to 48 months old, n=6) were submitted to B-mode testicular ultrasonography (US) for evaluation of testicular length, width, thickness and volume. Testicular artery was submitted to pulsed-wave Doppler examination to measure the resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) in both groups. Testicular width (34.50±3.71mm) and volume (58.80±9.98 mm3) showed significantly (P<0.05) higher values in the pre-pubertal ram lambs compared with the post-pubertal group (33.60±1.25 mm and 56.70±4.07mm3). Blood flow indices (RI and PI) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in pre-pubertal (0.62±0.15 and 0.98±0.20) than post-pubertal (0.45±0.12 and 0.63±0.18) group. The pre-pubertal group recorded testicular echogenicity of 82.5±12.47 compared to the post-pubertal ones (76.8±13.15). In pre-pubertal group, testicular volume was highly correlated (p<0.01) with testicular length (r= 0.933), width (r= 0.935), and thickness (r= 0.813), while for mature group, testicular volume showed strong association with testicular length (r= 0.813). At both groups, RI and PI values showed strong positive associations (p<0.01). It was concluded that RI and PI were directly affected by sexual maturation and could be used as a marker for selection and/or replacing males in flocks.

Relationship between shunt sounds at anastomotic sites and mean brachial artery blood flow and vascular resistance index according to Doppler ultrasound

Relationship between shunt sounds at anastomotic sites and mean brachial artery blood flow and vascular resistance index according to Doppler ultrasound

Lossless Compressed Sensing of Photon Counts for Fast Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy.

Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS), a noninvasive optical technique, measures deep tissue blood flow using avalanche photon counting modules and data acquisition devices such as FPGAs or correlator boards. Conventional DCS instruments use in-processor counter modules that consume 32 bits/channel which is inefficient for low-photon budget situations prevalent in diffuse optics. Scaling these photon counters for large-scale imaging applications is difficult due to bandwidth and processing time considerations. Here, we introduce a new, lossless compressed sensing approach for fast and efficient detection of photon counts. The compressed DCS method uses an array of binary-coded-decimal counters to record photon counts from 8 channels simultaneously as a single 32-bit number. We validate the compressed DCS approach by comparisons with conventional DCS in experiments on tissue simulating phantoms and in-vivo arm cuff occlusion. Lossless compressed DCS was implemented with 87.5% compression efficiency. In tissue simulating phantoms, it was able to accurately estimate a tissue blood flow index, with no statistically significant difference compared to conventional DCS. Compressed DCS also recorded blood flow in vivo, in human forearm, with signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range comparable to conventional DCS. Lossless 87.5% efficient compressed sensing counting of photon counts meets and exceeds benchmarks set by conventional DCS systems, offering a low-cost alternative for fast (~100 Hz) deep tissue blood flow measurement with optics.