杭州市萧山区7457例新生儿听力及耳聋基因筛查结果分析

目的分析杭州市萧山区7457例新生儿听力及耳聋基因筛查结果,了解本地区耳聋基因常见的突变类型。方法对2017年7月至2020年8月杭州市萧山区第一人民医院出生的7457例新生儿进行听力筛查,包括瞬态诱发耳声发射和自动判别听性脑干诱发电位;同时采用遗传性耳聋相关基因检测试剂盒对GJB2、SLC26A4、mtDNA12SrRNA和GJB3等4个我国常见的耳聋基因的15个突变位点进行检测。结果7457例新生儿中,通过听力初筛7437例（99.73%）,复筛未通过者12例（0.16%）。7457例新生儿耳聋基因筛查中,检出常见耳聋基因阳性323例,携带率4.33%,其中GJB2突变177例（2.37%）;SLC26A4突变98例（1.31%）;mtDNA12SrRNA突变25例（0.34%）;GJB3突变18例（0.24%）。双杂合突变5例,其中235delC\IVS7-2A＞G双杂合3例、235delC\2168A＞G双杂合1例、IVS7-2A＞G\1555A＞G双杂合1例,均通过听力筛查。结论GJB2235delC杂合突变是杭州市萧山区最常见的耳聋基因突变位点。新生儿行听力及耳聋基因联合筛查,可检测出耳聋基因位点,进行听力学评估,及早发现潜在风险,针对性进行遗传学咨询,并为新生儿提供有价值的具体预后信息。     

温州地区3620例孕妇耳聋基因产前筛查及临床意义分析

目的分析温州地区3620例孕妇常见遗传性耳聋基因突变筛查情况,探讨温州地区听力正常孕妇进行耳聋基因携带者筛查的临床意义。方法选取2020年2月1日至2022年7月31日在温州市中心医院就诊的3620例听力正常、无耳聋家族史的孕妇为研究对象,采用PCR+导流杂交法检测GJB2、GJB3、SLC26A4以及线粒体12SrRNA4个遗传相关耳聋基因的21个位点。当夫妻双方为相同耳聋基因突变携带者时,予遗传咨询及生育指导。结果3620例孕妇中共检出耳聋基因携带者163例（4.50%）;检出5种GJB2基因突变共85例,其中c.235delC65例;检出6种SLC26A4基因突变共44例,其中IVS7-2A＞G33例;检出线粒体12SrRNA携带者15例,GJB3携带者19例。对孕妇为GJB2或SLC26A4携带者的配偶进行召回行相应基因Sanger测序,结果8例为携带者,其中7例接受产前诊断,其中胎儿1例c.235delC纯合突变,1例SLC26A4IVS7-2A＞G合并c.2168A＞G复合杂合突变,患者选择终止妊娠。结论温州地区听力正常孕妇常见耳聋基因携带率为4.50%,且以GJB2c.235delC、SLC26A4IVS7-2A＞G位点为主,对温州地区孕妇行常见耳聋基因筛查、遗传咨询及产前诊断是耳聋精准防控的有效方法。     

安徽汉族遗传性耳聋患儿142例基因芯片的筛查分析研究

目的 应用耳聋基因芯片技术研究142例安徽汉族遗传性耳聋患儿常见耳聋基因的突变位点的分布特点.方法 取患儿干血斑,提取DNA,用遗传性耳聋基因检测试剂盒(微阵列芯片法),检测患儿GJB2、SLC26A4、GJB3和mtDNA 12s rRNA 4个耳聋相关基因的9个耳聋突变位点.结果 142例遗传性耳聋患儿中,检出携带耳聋相关基因突变患儿68例(47.89％),GJB2、GJB3、SLC26A4、mtDNA 12s rRNA基因突变检出率分别为28.17％(40/142)、0.70％(1/142)、18.31％(26/142)、5.63％(8/142).结论 GJB2、SLC26A4、mtDNA 12s rRNA这3个基因是导致安徽汉族遗传性耳聋患儿耳聋主要基因,其中GJB2的235delC、SLC26A4的IVS7-2A＞G、mtDNA 12s rRNA的1555A＞G是本研究组患儿最常见的致聋基因突变.     

Mutation analysis of 9 mutation spots related to neonatal deafness by DNA microarray

目的 采用遗传性耳聋基因芯片对新生儿进行突变筛查,评估新生儿中9个常见耳聋基因突变的频率、突变类型以及其与耳聋的相关性.方法 经产妇及家属的知情同意,并自愿要求行耳聋基因检测,收集本科室2010年8月至2011年9月出生的新生儿脐带血756例,提取DNA,用遗传性耳聋基因芯片检测中国人群中常见的4个耳聋相关基因的9个突变位点,包括GJB2(35 del G、176 del 16、235 del C、299 del AT)、GJB3(538 C ＞T)、SLC26A4( IVS7-2A＞G、2168 A＞G)、线粒体DNA 12S rRNA( 1555 A＞G、1494 C＞T),对阳性结果进行测序验证.结果 756例新生儿检测出GJB2( 235del C)突变15例,GJB2(176 del 16)突变1例,GJB2(299 del AT)突变4例,SLC26A4( IVS 7-2 A＞G)突变13例,SLC26A4(2168 A＞G)突变1例,12S rRNA( 1555 A ＞G)均质突变型1例,测序结果与基因芯片结果一致.结论 在没有耳聋家族史的新生儿中,GJB2基因的杂合突变率高于SLC26A4基因突变率,GJB3基因的突变较为少见.     

42708例新生儿耳聋基因筛查结果分析

目的 了解南宁市区新生儿常见耳聋基因的突变类型和突变携带率,并就耳聋基因检测结果进行评价,为遗传性耳聋的远期预防和临床诊断提供依据。 方法 对2016年1月—2018年12月在广西壮族自治区妇幼保健院产科出生、儿科门诊以及耳鼻喉科门诊进行筛查的42 708例新生儿,应用基质辅助激光解析-飞行时间质谱法筛查在我国常见的4个基因包括20个位点GJB2(35delG、176-191del16、167delT、299_300delAT、235delC)、GJB3(538C>T、547G>A)、SLC26A4(281C>T、589G>A、1174A>T、1226G>A、IVS7-2A>G、1229C>T、1975G>C、2162C>T、2027T>A、IVS15+5G>A、2168A>G)、和线粒体12SrRNA(1555A>G、1494C>T)。 结果 42 708例新生儿中检出基因突变940例,总体阳性检出率为2.201%,其中GJB2基因突变492例,突变携带率约1.152%;GJB3基因突变61例,突变携带率约0.143%;SLC26A4基因突变320例,突变携带率约0.749%;线粒体12SrRNA基因突变57例,突变携带率约0.133%。同时检出复合杂合突变1例,双杂合突变9例。 结论 本研究中主要的突变基因是GJB2和SLC26A4,主要的突变位点是235delC和IVS7-2A>G,开展新生儿听力筛查与耳聋基因联合检测有助于耳聋的早期预防特别是药物性耳聋的预防,对降低耳聋发生和出生缺陷的发生有重要意义。      

301例重度及极重度非综合征型耳聋患儿耳聋基因结果分析

目的 研究新疆维吾尔自治区301例重度及极重度非综合征型耳聋患儿耳聋基因筛查结果,为后期人工耳蜗术后康复及遗传咨询提供参考。方法 收集2017~2019年在新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院就诊的重度及极重度非综合征型耳聋患者301例。知情同意后对患者进行耳聋基因筛查,包含GJB2、SLC26A4、mt12SrRNA、OTOF、SLC17A8基因中的25个位点(c.35delG,c.167delT,c.176_191del16,c.235delC,c.299_300delAT,c.281C＞T,c.589G＞A,c.IVS7-2A＞G,c.1174A＞T,c.1226G＞A,c.1229C＞T,c.IVS15+5G＞A,c.1975G＞C,c.2027T＞A,c.2162C＞T,c.2168 A＞G,c.1494C＞T,c.1555A＞G,c.1585A＞G,c.1047A＞G,c.1095T＞C,c.960_961insC/961delT,c.4023G＞A,c.4819C＞T,c.824C＞A),并对检测结果进行分析。结果 301例重度及极重度非综合征型耳聋患者中共计筛查出阳性突变患者80例,总检出率为26.58%(80/301),其中GJB2、SLC26A4、mt12SrRNA基因的突变率分别为10.96%(37/301)、12.62%(38/301)、4.32%(13/301)。GJB2突变的主要形式为c.235delC和c.35delG,分别占突变人数的37.50%(30/80)和8.75%(7/80);SLC26A4突变的主要形式为c.IVS7-2A和c.1174 A＞T,分别占突变人数的26.25%(21/80)和11.25%(9/80);mt12S rRNA主要突变形式为c.960_961insC/961delT和c.1555A＞G,分别占突变人数的7.50%(6/80)和5.00%(4/80)。未检测出OTOF中的c.4023G＞A、c.4819C＞T突变和SLC17A8中的c.824C＞A突变。汉族中突变位点的总检出率极显著高于维吾尔族(χ²=19.064、P<0.001)。结论 GJB2、SLC26A4 为新疆维吾尔自治区重度及极重度非综合征型耳聋患儿常见致病基因。维吾尔族中可能存在其他热点突变位点。     

东莞地区婴幼儿先天性耳聋的基因检测结果探析

目的：：调查东莞地区非综合性遗传性耳聋的致聋基因分布特征,为政府制定优生优育计划、提高人口素质、降低人口出生缺陷提供科学依据。方法：对200例先天性耳聋患儿,抽取患者的外周血2~3mL,利用耳聋基因芯片对与非综合性遗传性耳聋密切相关的4个致聋基因 SLC26A4( PDS)(IVS7－2A > G、2168G)、GJB2(299delAT、235delC、176del16bp 及35delG)、GJB3( C538T)和线粒 DNA 12SrRNA(A1555G、C1494T)上的9个突变位点进行检测。结果：在本组患者中,有15例检出 GJB2基因突变(22％),10例检出 SLC26A4基因突变(14.3％),DNA12SrRNA 基因突变3例(4.4％),没有检出有GJB3基因突变患儿。结论：东莞地区非综合性遗传性耳聋的有效检出率与全国调查结果相当,其中GJB2基因突变检出率最高,SLC26A4基因突变检出率其次,再次是线粒体 DNA12SrRNA 基因突变,可见利用耳聋基因检测技术对目标人群进行耳聋基因筛查,是减少聋儿出生的重要途径。     

南宁市1 027例新生儿耳聋基因筛查结果分析

目的:探讨GJB2、GJB3、SLC26A4和线粒体12SrRNA四个耳聋基因在南宁市新生儿耳聋基因检测中的应用价值。方法:随机选取2016年1月-2018年12月南宁市新生儿疾病筛查中心1 027例新生儿足跟血滤纸片,并提取DNA,应用测序法检测耳聋基因突变位点,包括GJB2(c.35del G、c.176-191del16、c.235delC、c.299-300del AT、c.109GA、c.11 GA)、GJB3(c.538CT)、SLC26A4(IVS 7-2AG、c.2168AG)和线粒体12SrRNA(1555AG、1494CT)共11个突变位点。结果:1 027例新生儿中检出耳聋基因的突变者183例,占17.82%,其中GJB2基因突变176例,占17.14%,其中纯合子突变23例(c.235del C 1例,c.109GA 22例),占2.24%;杂合子突变153例(c.235del C 10例,c.299-300del AT 1例,c.109GA 138例,c.11 GA 4例),占14.90%。GJB3(c.538CT)杂合子突变1例,占0.10%。SLC26A4(IVS 7-2AG)杂合子突变3例,占0.29%。线粒体12SrRNA(1555AG)均质突变3例,占0.29%。本地区的GJB2和SLC26A4突变率与济宁、东莞、珠海、绍兴的突变率比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:南宁市新生儿耳聋GJB2基因突变率比较高,GJB3、SLC26A4和线粒体12SrRNA基因突变率较低。致病基因以GJB2 c.109GA为主,通过测序方法才能检测出基因突变位点比较多,有利于发现本区域的致病基因突变位点。     

广西新生儿遗传性非综合征型耳聋基因筛查

目的 应用基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF-MS)技术检测广西新生儿遗传性非综合征型耳聋(NSHI)基因突变基因,探讨耳聋基因筛查在临床中应用的有效性和可行性.方法 对7 100例出生的新生儿采用自动判别听性脑干诱发电位(AABR)进行听力初筛和复筛,并通过足跟血斑提取基因组DNA,采用MALDPTOF-MS进行4个耳聋易感基因20个突变住点检测.结果 7 100例新生儿听力初筛通过率为97.11％(6 895/7 100),新生儿基因突变阳性率为3.54％(251/7 100),其中GJB2基因突变131例,携带率为1.84％,235delC杂合突变108例.SLC26 A4基因突变93例,以1229C＞T杂合突变和IVS7-2A＞G杂合突变为主,mtDNA12SRNA基因突变16例,GJB3基因突变11例.结论 采用MALDI-TOF-MS技术筛查可提高常见耳聋相关基因热点突变检出率,从分子水平发现新生儿遗传性NSHI,可为早期发现、预测耳聋的发生及制订干预措施提供相应的遗传咨询指导.     

广州地区非综合征性耳聋患者耳聋相关基因突变分析

目的分析广州地区非综合性耳聋患者相关耳聋基因突变,初步了解广州地区耳聋患者发病的分子机制。方法详细询问病史和临床检查后,收集广州地区52例非综合性耳聋患者的外周血,提取基因组DNA,用遗传性耳聋基因芯片对4个常见耳聋相关基因(GJB2、SLC26A4、线粒体12SrRNA及GJB3基因)的9个位点进行检测。结果 52例耳聋患者中共检出18例带有耳聋基因突变,检出阳性率为34.6%,其中GJB2基因235delC纯合突变6例,杂合突变2例,299delAT纯合突变1例;SLC26A4基因IVS7-2A>G纯合突变4例,杂合突变1例;线粒体12SrRNA A1555G均质突变4例。结论广州地区非综合性耳聋患者的耳聋相关基因检出阳性率、GJB2基因及SLC26A4基因的携带率均低于全国平均水平,而线粒体基因突变的携带率明显高于全国平均水平。     

Value of D-Dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection

Objective: To evaluatel the value of D-dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods: This study consisted of 16 patients with AAD and 27 non-AAD patients. Serum D-dimets were measured by Sta-Liatest D-DI immunoturbidimetric assay. Results: D-dimer level was higher (P ＜ 0.001) in patients with AAD(7.91 ± 5.52 μg/ml) than that in non- AAD group(1.57±1.24 μg/ml). D-dimer was positive (＞0.4 μg/ml) in all patients with AAD and in 10 control group patients (37%). Among patients with acute AAD, D-dimers tended to be higher in Stanford A than in Stanford B (8.67 ± 4.31 μg/ml vs. 3.24±1.27 μg/ml, P ＜0.01). D-dimer values tended to be higher in more extended disease(3.84 ± 1.65 μg/ml, 8.57 ± 3.58 μg/ml and 11.87 ± 5.69 μg/ml in thoracic aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta and iliacal arteries, respectively, P ＜ 0.05 for both 8.57 ± 3.58 and 11.87 ± 5.69 vs. 3.84 ± 1.65 ). Including the control group into the analysis, we found a sensitivity of 100%, a negative predictive value of 100%, and a specificity of 66% and a positive predictive value of 64% for D-dimer in diagnosis of AAD in our patients with suspected AAD. Conclusion: D-dimer was elevated in patients with AAD. A negative D-dimer test result could be useful in excluding AAD.     

Research of combined liver-kidney transplantation model in rats

Objective： To set up a simple and reliable rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation. Methods： SD rats served as both donors and recipients. 4℃ sodium lactate Ringer＇s was infused from portal veins to donated livers,and from abdominal aorta to donated kidneys, respectively. Anastomosis of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava （IVC） inferior to the right kidney between the graft and the recipient was performed by a double cuff method, then the superior hepatic vena cava with suture. A patch of donated renal artery was anastomosed to the recipient abdominal aorta. The urethra and bile duct were reconstructed with a simple inside bracket. Results： Among 65 cases of combined liver-kidney transplantation, the success rate in the late 40 cases was 77.5%. The function of the grafted liver and kidney remained normal. Conclusion： This rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation can be established in common laboratory conditions with high success rate and meet the needs of renal transplantation experiment.     

BLOOD PRESSURE CHANGE WITH AGE IN SALT-SENSITIVE TEENAGERS

Objective To observe blood pressure change with age in salt-sensitive teenagers whose salt sensitivity were determined by repeated testing.Methods Salt sensitivity was determined through intravenous infusion of normal saline combined with volume-depletion by oral diuretic furosemide in 55 teenagers. After five years, salt sensitivity was re-examined and subject blood pressure was followed up. Blood pressure changes in salt-sensitive teenagers were compared to that of non-salt sensitive teenagers over five years.Results After 5 years, the repetition rate of salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading is 92.7%. In teenagers with salt sensitivity on the baseline, both the systolic blood pressure increments and increment rates were much higher than non-salt sensitive teenagers (12.7±12.1 mmHg vs. 2.8±5.2 mmHg, P＜ 0.01; 12.2%± 12.0% vs. 2.5% ±4.4%, P＜ 0.001,respectively). There was a similar trend for diastolic blood pressure (8.4 ± 6.4 mmHg vs. 3.7 ± 6.4 mmHg, P = 0.052; 13.2% ±10.6 % vs. 6.8%± 10.1%, P = 0.053, respectively).Conclusions Salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading showed good reproducibility. Blood pressure increments with age were much higher in salt-sensitive teenagers than non-salt sensitive teenagers, especially in terms of systolic blood pressure.     

APPLICATION OF LORNOXICAM TO PATIENT-CONTROLLED ANALGESIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ABDOMINAL SURGERIES

FOR anesthesiologis s ,treatingpostoperativepainhas alwaysbeen a problem.Althoughopioidshave been provedtobe effective,theirsideeffectscouldnotbeignored.With thedevelopmentofscienceand pharmacology,many drugs with aspectsof satisfactoryanalgesicefficacyand couldbe welltoleratedby patientshave been developed.And lornoxicamisone of them, which isa non-steroidalanti-inflammatorydrug (NSAID ), with analgesic, anti-infl-ammatory,andantipyreticproperties.Itseliminationhalf-time(3 to 5 hours) isle…     

安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术后生活质量影响的研究

目的：评价使用安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术（PPCI）术后生活质量的影响.方法：将160例接受PPCI的急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者随机分为安心颗粒组（术前顿服安心颗粒8.8g,术后安心颗粒4.4 g/次,每日2次）和对照组（仅接受基础药物治疗）.所有患者均服用阿司匹林、氯吡格雷和阿托伐他汀.分别在入院时、出院前1d、出院后180 d时,应用心肌梗死多维度量表（MIDAS）、中文版SF-36评价量表对患者生活质量评分.并观察术后30 d以内的出血并发症、血小板减少症发生情况.结果：入院时和出院前1d,两组患者的心肌梗死MIDAS、SF-36量表评分比较无差异（P＞0.05）;出院后180 d时,与对照组比较,安心颗粒组MIDAS、SF-36评分明显减低（P＜0.05）;组内与入院时比较,两组出院前1d、出院后180 d时,MIDAS、SF-36评分均降低（P＜0.05）.两组患者在随访期间均无大量出血、少量出血、重度和极重度血小板减少症发生,安心颗粒组有4例、对照组有7例发生不明显出血（P＞0.05）.两组发生轻度血小板减少症的患者数比较无差异（P＞0.05）.结论：PPCI使用安心颗粒,能改善急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者的生活质量,且不增加出血风险.     

The comparative studies of the influences of Urapidil and Nicardipine on sino-atrial node function, atrio-ventricular node function and hemodynamics

Objective:To investigate the influences of urapidil and nicardipine on rabbit sinus function,atrio-ventricular node function and hemodynamics.Methods:Thirty-two Angora's rabbits were selected and randomly divided into four groups.U1 group:urapidil 0.25 mg/kg;U2 group:urapidil 0.5 mg/kg;N1 group:nicardipine 10 μg/kg;N2 group:nicardipine 20 μg/kg.All these medicine were administrated within 30 seconds.Measurements were taken before and after the administration of urapidil or nicardipine for the following data:mean blood pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),sino-atrial conduction time(SACT),maximal sinoatrial recovery time(SNRTmax)corrected sinus node recovery time(CSNRT),index of sinus node recovery time(SNRTI),Wenckebach A-V conduction frequency (WB),and P-R interval.Results:Significant MAP and HR changes were identified in all of the four groups before and after administration of both urapidil and nicardipine.No significant changes could be found in the rest of the parameters.Intergroup analysis showed that SACT and CSNRT of N1 and N2 groups were shorter than those of the U2 group(P＜0.01);the MAP decreased(P＜0.01)and the HR increased drastically(P＜0.01).Conclusions:Neither urapidil(0.25 mg/kg,0.5 mg/kg)nor nicardipine(10μg/kg,20μg/kg)has any significant influence on rabbit sinus function or rabbit atrio-ventricular node function.Nicardipine could be a better choice than urapidil for parafunctional sinus node patients.     

Expression of OPGmRNA and ODFmRNA in the patients of hip fracture due to osteoporosis

Objective：To investigate the gene expression of osteoprotegerin（OPG） and osteoclast differentiation factor（ODF） in the bone tissue of patients with hip fracture due to osteoporosis. Methods：OPGmRNA and ODFmRNA in the bone tissue in 50 cases of osteoporosis sufferers（over 50 years old） with hip fracture（Observer Group） and 30 cases of hip facture sufferers with no osteoporosis（Control group） were analyzed with the Semi-Quantitative RT-PCR method. Results：The mRNA expressed of ODF, OPG were both high in the patients with hip fracture. In the control group, the expression of OPG mRNA was observed, while the expression of ODF mRNA was very slight. Conclusion：Aged patients contained all signals including OPG, ODF that are essential for inducing osteoclastogenesis and promoting bone resorption.     

Dynamic Changes in Serum Estradiol and Progesterone levels in Patients of Premenstrual Syndrome with Adverse Flow of Liver-qi

Objective:To probe into the influence of changes of ovarian hormones on the pathogenesis of the specific sub-type premenstrual syndrome(PMS)and reveal partial microcosmic mechanisms of adverse flow of liver-qi.Methods:Estradiol(E2)and progesterone(P)levels in serum were determined at different phases of menstrual cycle by radioimmunoassay.Results:In the group of PMS with adverse flow of liver-qi.the secretive peak value Of E2 and P at the follicular phase significantly decreased,and the secretive peak value at the luteal phase did not come into being.Conclusions:Low E2 and P secretive peak at the follicular phase and absence of secretive peak at the luteal phase is one of the microcosmic mechanisms of PMS with adverse flow of liver-qi.One of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of specific sub-type PMS is probably the continuous low level of E2and P.     

Real-time Three-dimensional Echocardiography in Assessment of Left Ventricular and Right Ventricular Volumes

Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE)is a new ultrasound technique that enables dynamic threedimensional visualization and quantification of the heart in real time. Investigation of feasibility and methodology of RT3DE in determining left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes, RT3DE was performed in 35 normal adults using Philips SONOS 7500 system with a 2-4 MHz matrix array transducer. The 60°×60° "pyramid" volume database was obtained and analyzed on a TomTec echo workstation. Both LV and RV volumes were calculated with four 3DE methods (i.e. apical 2, 4, 8, and 16-plane) through manually tracing ventricular endocardial borders in end diastole and end systole. Stroke volumes were then calculated. LV volume was also measured by 2DE Simpson's rule using GE VIVID 7 ultrasound machine.     

SCREENING FOR A 21-CHROMOSOME ABNORMALITY IN PREIMPLANTED EMBRYOS OF ELDERLY WOMEN

Increasing maternal age is the only etiological factor unequivocally linked to Down's syndrome in humans. The occurrence rate of newborns with Down's syndrome is about 1/220 in women over 35 years old. However, the occurrence rate in embryos fertilized in vitro, of the elder woman is unclear. Using FISH we screened the number of chromosome 21 in preimplanted embryos of 5 elderly women (average age, 38.4 years) to study the feasibility and necessity of screening trisomy 21 in embryos in patients over 35 years old at the in vitro fertilization (IVF) center.