Effects of maternal pulmonary arterial hypertension on fetal hemodynamics and maternal-fetal outcome in late pregnancy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) on fetal hemodynamics in the third trimester and to identify hemodynamic indicators associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.

Methods: We recruited 48 pregnant women with PAH in the third trimester and 32 women with normal pregnancies as controls matched for age and gestational week. Fetal growth and hemodynamic parameters were assessed by two-dimensional and color Doppler.

High Proton Conductivity of the UiO-66-NH-SPES Composite Membrane Prepared by Covalent Cross-Linking.

A sulfonated poly(ethersulfone) (SPES)-metal-organic framework (MOF) film with excellent proton conductivity was synthesized by anchoring UiO-66-NH to the main chain of the aromatic polymer through the Hinsberg reaction. The chemical bond was formed between the amino group in MOFs and the -SOCl group in chlorosulfonated poly(ethersulfones) to conduct protons in the proton channel of the membrane, making the membrane have excellent proton conductivity. UiO-66-NH is successfully prepared as a result of the consistency of the experimental and simulated powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns of MOFs.

Heart Model Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Evaluation of Left Ventricular Function and Parameter Setting.

Objective: This study aims to explore the feasibility of HeartModel (HM) three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) to assess left ventricular function and discover suitable border parameter settings.

Methods: A total of 113 patients that underwent echocardiography in our hospital were eligible for inclusion. The HM 3DE (HM method) and conventional 3DE (3D method) were used to analyze echocardiography images.

Synthesis and biological activity of squaramido-tethered bisbenzimidazoles as synthetic anion transporters.

A series of squaramido-tethered bisbenzimidazoles were synthesized from the reaction of diethyl squarate with substituted 2-aminomethylbenzimidazoles. These conjugates exhibit moderate binding affinity toward chloride anions. They are able to facilitate the transmembrane transport of chloride anions most probably an anion exchange process, and tend to be more active at acidic pH than at physiological pH.

Mitral annulus displacement measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging to assess the left ventricular longitudinal systolic function in coronary heart disease.

Aim: To assess the clinical utility of measuring mitral annulus displacement (MAD) by two-dimensional speckle tracking for the rapid evaluation of left ventricular longitudinal systolic function in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: Left ventricular longitudinal systolic function was evaluated by MAD using speckle tracking echocardiography in 30 healthy volunteers (controls) as well as in 30 patients with mild, 30 patients with moderate, and 30 patients with severe CHD. All participants had their apical four-chamber and two-chamber view echocardiographic images recorded.