缺血后处理对大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注后肾小管上皮细胞超微结构的影响

目的:观察缺血后处理对大鼠缺血再灌注后肾小管上皮细胞超微结构的影响.方法:将24只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(S组)、缺血再灌注组(IR组)和缺血后处理组(IPO组),每组8只.分别建立动物模型.IR组在同时夹闭双侧肾动脉45 min后恢复血供,IPO组在肾缺血45 min后采用反复10次再灌注20 s-缺血20 s的后处理方法.恢复血供24 h后留取各组大鼠肾组织标本,在透射电镜下观察肾小管上皮细胞超微结构变化,分别计算微绒毛、细胞器、细胞核的超微病变指数.结果:IR组大鼠肾小管上皮细胞表现出不同程度的变性、坏死、崩解,IPO组大鼠肾小管上皮细胞可见变性、凋亡,较少见坏死及崩解.对病变指数分析提示,其微绒毛、细胞器、细胞核等超微结构改变均较IR组轻.结论:缺血后处理可以减轻缺血再灌注后肾小管上皮细胞的损伤,减少细胞坏死,稳定线粒体等细胞器结构,从而减轻急性肾脏IR损伤.     

肢体远程预适应对大鼠急性肾损伤的保护作用及机制研究

目的:通过建立后肢缺血预适应大鼠模型,研究远程预适应对大鼠肾脏缺血-再灌注损伤保护作用的机制?方法:48只健康雄性SD大鼠摘除右肾后随机分为4组:假手术组(sham组)?单纯后肢预适应组(LIP组)?单纯肾缺血再灌注组(IR组)?后肢预适应 + 肾缺血组(LIP－IR组),再灌注24 h后检测血肌酐?尿素氮水平,肾组织病理学改变,肾组织中一氧化氮(NO)及一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性,包括总NOS(TNOS)?诱导型NOS(iNOS)和结构型NOS(cNOS)?结果:与IR组相比,LIP－IR组血肌酐?尿素氮?肾小管评分,肾组织中TNOS?iNOS活性均明显降低,但肾组织NO?cNOS活性明显增高(P < 0.05);LIP组与sham组相比,上述指标无显著性差异(P > 0.05)?结论:肢体缺血预适应能够减轻大鼠肾脏缺血-再灌注损伤,其可能与LIP上调eNOS表达,同时降低肾脏iNOS而发挥肾保护作用有关?     

缺血后处理对大鼠肾缺血/再灌注损伤及p38MAPK活性的影响

目的研究缺血后处理(IPO)对大鼠肾缺血/再灌注损伤(IRI)及p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)活性的影响。方法将24只SD大鼠依据随机数字表法分为3组,各8只。对照(S)组:仅结扎右侧肾蒂,左肾蒂游离;缺血/再灌注(IR)组:结扎右侧肾蒂,夹闭左侧肾蒂60 min后,开放灌注24 h;IPO组:肾脏缺血60 min后,进行10 s灌注、10 s阻断,共6个循环的IPO,然后开放灌注24 h,余同IR组。检测血尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐,酶联免疫吸附试验法检测肾组织肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素1(IL-1)水平,Western blot法检测肾组织磷酸化p38MAPK蛋白表达,观察肾组织的病理学变化。结果与S组比较,IR组和IPO组血BUN、肌酐,肾TNF-α、IL-1、p38MAPK蛋白表达量及组织病理评分显著增加(P<0.05);IPO组各指标较IR组显著下降(P<0.05)。结论 IPO能减轻肾IRI,其机制与抑制p38MAPK活化,进而抑制炎性因子释放有关。     

缺血后处理对大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤的影响

目的 探讨缺血后处理对大鼠肾缺血再灌注(I/R)损伤的影响及其机制.方法 采用摘除右肾夹闭左侧肾蒂45 min再灌注6 h制备肾脏缺血再灌注损伤模型.2 w前已行右肾切除术的30只雄性SD大鼠随机分为3组(n=10):假手术组(S组)、缺血再灌注组(I/R组)和缺血后处理组(IPO组).IPO组在夹闭左侧肾蒂45 min后,再灌注10 s,缺血10 s,重复6次后,完全恢复肾血流.再灌注6 h处死大鼠抽取颈动脉血和切取左肾.测定血清肌酐(Cr)、尿素氮(BUN)浓度,肾组织中丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性;光镜下观察肾组织病理学改变 ,采用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率.结果 与S组比较,I/R组和IPO组Cr和BUN浓度升高,肾组织SOD活性降低,MDA含量升高,肾细胞凋亡率升高,病理损伤明显.与I/R组比较,IPO组Cr和BUN浓度降低,肾组织SOD活性升高,MDA含量降低,肾细胞凋亡率降低,病理损伤减轻.结论 缺血后处理能减轻大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤,其机制与增强肾脏抗氧化能力和制肾组织细胞凋亡有关.     

NLRP3炎性反应小体在缺血再灌注急性肾损伤大鼠肾组织中的表达研究

目的:研究NLRP3炎性反应小体在缺血再灌注急性肾损伤大鼠肾组织中的表达。方法:选取SD雄性大鼠14只,平均分为缺血再灌注组(A组)和假手术组(B组),对比两组之间血肌酐、尿素氮变化及NLRP3表达的差异情况。结果:A组大鼠血肌酐、尿素氮水平明显高于B组大鼠,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);免疫组化显示缺血再灌注急性肾损伤组大鼠肾小管上皮细胞NLRP3的表达显著增强;病理学检查显示缺血再灌注组大鼠肾小管间质损伤较严重。结论:缺血再灌注急性肾损伤会伴随血肌酐水平升高以及肾组织NLRP3表达增强。     

缺血后处理对肾缺血/再灌注损伤后内皮型一氧化氮合酶表达的影响

目的 观察缺血后处理对大鼠急性肾缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用及缺血后处理对内皮型一氧化氮合酶（eNOS）表达的影响.方法 将2012年9月购自武汉大学动物实验中心的38只8周龄雄性Wistar大鼠依据随机数字表法分为4组：假手术组（8只）、缺血/再灌注组（10只）、缺血后处理组（10只）、缺血预处理组（10只）.建立原位大鼠单侧肾缺血/再灌注动物模型,摘除右肾后对左肾行缺血后处理,10 s再灌注,10 s缺血,6次循环后再灌注24 h.采用全自动生化分析仪检测血尿素氮、肌酐,比色法测定血浆一氧化氮.免疫组织化学法和反转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测eNOS表达.蛋白免疫印迹法（Western blot）检测胞质eNOS水平.结果 肾缺血/再灌注24 h后,缺血/再灌注组中血尿素氮、肌酐、一氧化氮较假手术组显著增高（P＜0.05）,组织中eNOS表达较假手术组升高（P＜0.05）,缺血后处理组和缺血预处理组中的血尿素氮、肌酐较缺血/再灌注组降低（P＜0.05）,血清一氧化氮和组织中eNOS较缺血/再灌注组中升高更显著（P＜0.05）.结论 缺血后处理对大鼠肾缺血/再灌注损伤有保护作用,具有临床应用价值.其保护机制可能与缺血后处理诱导eNOS的合成增多有关.     

Expression and significance of Trps1 in rat kidney repair after ischemia/reperfusion injury

目的 观察大鼠缺血再灌注损伤肾组织Trps1的表达变化及其与肾组织病变的关系,探讨Trps1在肾脏修复再生中的作用.方法 42只雄性SD大鼠分为假手术组、缺血再灌注组.经腹正中切口分离大鼠双侧肾蒂,用无损动脉夹夹闭60 min后恢复灌注,假手术组仅暴露肾蒂不夹闭.于再灌注后1、3、7、14、21 d取大鼠动脉血及肾组织标本,采用自动生化分析仪检测大鼠血肌酐、尿素氮水平,PAS染色检测肾组织损伤情况,免疫组化和Western blot检测肾组织Tprs1表达变化.结果 假手术组大鼠血肌酐和尿素氮分别为(30.12±2.95) μmol/L、(5.89±0.67) mmol/L.与假手术组相比,大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注后1、3、7d血肌酐[(319.25±25.49)、(338.20±22.70)、(216.07±18.54)μmol/L]及尿素氮[(33.53±8.06)、(78.05±7.13)、(42.61±11.87) mmol/L]显著升高(P＜0.05),14、21 d血肌酐[(33.33±6.46)、(32.06±8.74)μmol/L]及尿素氮[(6.02±1.27)、(6.93±3.28) mmol/L]与假手术组相比无显著差异(P＞0.05).PAS 染色显示肾组织在再灌注1d时即出现损伤,3d时损伤最重,7d时损伤开始修复,至第21天修复完全.免疫组化及Western blot显示,假手术组Trps1主要在皮质肾小管上皮细胞表达,缺血再灌注后1d肾组织Trps1表达显著下降(P＜0.05),3d仅见微弱表达(P＜0.05),7、14 d表达开始上升,但仍有显著差异(P＜0.05),21 d与假手术组水平无显著差异(P＞0.05).相关性分析显示Trps1表达变化与肾小管急性损伤评分呈负相关(r=-0.81,P＜0.05).结论 Trps1在AKI肾脏损伤修复期表达上调,与肾组织损伤指标呈负相关,提示其可能具有促进肾脏修复再生的作用.     

水飞蓟素对大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及机制探讨

目的探索水飞蓟素对大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤（IRI）的保护作用及是否与抑制NF-κB 活化有关。方法将30 只成年雄性SD 大鼠随机为假手术组（S 组）、缺血再灌注模型组（IR 组）及药物组（SM 组）。全自动生化分析仪检测血肌酐、血尿素氮,HE 染色检测肾小管损伤程度,免疫组织化学检测肾脏IL-6 及NF-κB p65 表达,酶联免疫吸附法测定肾组织匀浆上清液NF-κB、IL-6 浓度。结果IR组血肌酐、尿素氮、组织匀浆细胞核内NF-κB 及细胞浆中IL-6 水平较S 组升高（P <0.05）,SM 组较IR 组降低（P <0.05）,IR 组肾小管损伤较重,肾脏IL-6、NF-κB p65 表达增强。而给药组肾小管损伤减轻,肾脏IL-6、NF-κB p65 表达减弱。结论水飞蓟素对大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用,其与抑制NF-κB活化有关。     

Trps1在大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤修复过程中的表达及意义

目的观察大鼠缺血再灌注损伤肾组织Trps1的表达变化及其与肾组织病变的关系,探讨Trps1在肾脏修复再生中的作用。方法 42只雄性SD大鼠分为假手术组、缺血再灌注组。经腹正中切口分离大鼠双侧肾蒂,用无损动脉夹夹闭60 min后恢复灌注,假手术组仅暴露肾蒂不夹闭。于再灌注后1、3、7、14、21 d取大鼠动脉血及肾组织标本,采用自动生化分析仪检测大鼠血肌酐、尿素氮水平,PAS染色检测肾组织损伤情况,免疫组化和Western blot检测肾组织Tprs1表达变化。结果假手术组大鼠血肌酐和尿素氮分别为(30.12±2.95)μmol/L、(5.89±0.67)mmol/L。与假手术组相比,大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注后1、3、7 d血肌酐[(319.25±25.49)、(338.20±22.70)、(216.07±18.54)μmol/L]及尿素氮[(33.53±8.06)、(78.05±7.13)、(42.61±11.87)mmol/L]显著升高(P<0.05),14、21 d血肌酐[(33.33±6.46)、(32.06±8.74)μmol/L]及尿素氮[(6.02±1.27)、(6.93±3.28)mmol/L]与假手术组相比无显著差异(P>0.05)。PAS染色显示肾组织在再灌注1 d时即出现损伤,3 d时损伤最重,7 d时损伤开始修复,至第21天修复完全。免疫组化及Western blot显示,假手术组Trps1主要在皮质肾小管上皮细胞表达,缺血再灌注后1 d肾组织Trps1表达显著下降(P<0.05),3 d仅见微弱表达(P<0.05),7、14 d表达开始上升,但仍有显著差异(P<0.05),21 d与假手术组水平无显著差异(P>0.05)。相关性分析显示Trps1表达变化与肾小管急性损伤评分呈负相关(r=-0.81,P<0.05)。结论 Trps1在AKI肾脏损伤修复期表达上调,与肾组织损伤指标呈负相关,提示其可能具有促进肾脏修复再生的作用。     

臭氧后处理对大鼠肾脏HIF-1α的表达及细胞凋亡的影响

目的:探讨臭氧后处理对大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤(IRI)中缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)及肾小管上皮细胞凋亡的影响。方法:随机将36只SD大鼠分为假手术组、缺血再灌注组和臭氧后处理组,每组12只,进行如下实验:①假手术组:切除大鼠右肾后缝合腹壁;②缺血再灌注组:切除大鼠右肾后,用无创伤血管夹夹闭左肾动、静脉45min进行缺血,然后开放血管夹进行再灌注;③臭氧后处理组:手术步骤与缺血再灌注组相同,但在术后10d内,每天对该组大鼠经直肠吹入氧气和臭氧的混合气体2.5-3.0ml[臭氧浓度为50mg/L,0.5mg/(kg·d)]。全自动生化分析仪检测大鼠血清肌酐和尿素氮,观察大鼠肾组织的病理改变和细胞凋亡情况,蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测各组大鼠HIF-1α的含量。结果:与假手术组相比,缺血再灌注组和臭氧后处理组血清尿素氮、肌酐水平均显著升高,而缺血再灌注组的尿素氮、肌酐表达量又明显高于臭氧后处理组。臭氧后处理组的肾组织病理学改变较缺血再灌注组轻。假手术组、缺血再灌注组、缺血后处理组大鼠肾组织的细胞凋亡指数分别为4.32±1.84、39.28±4.06和27.42±2.83,3组间比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Western Blot结果显示,在假手术组、缺氧再灌注组和臭氧后处理组中HIF-1α表达量依次增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:臭氧后处理可能通过显著增加HIF-1α的表达而抑制肾小管上皮细胞的凋亡,从而发挥肾脏保护作用。     

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.     

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.     

The clinicopathological and immuohistochemical analysis of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas： report of 9 cases

Objective：To investigate the clinical features, pathological characteristics and immunophenotype of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas（SPTP）. Methods：Nine surgically treated cases of SPTP were retrospectively reviewed. Hematoxylin and Eosin（HE） staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to analyze all cases, and the general clinical data was collected. Results：Six patients were asymptomatic except for a palpable mass. Two patients complained of vague-epigastric pain. One patient appeared jaundice. The tumor was encapsulated and solid tissues alternately with cystic tissues. Histologically, the histological structure of solid portion was pseudopapillary with a fibrovascular core. Tumor cells were uniform and medium-sized which were arranged in sheets ets or nests or pseudopapillary patterns. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that SPTP proved positive in vimentin（9/9 cases）, AAT（9/9 cases）, NSE（9/9 cases）, ACT（7/9 cases）, CK20（2/9 cases）, CgA（1/9 cases）, S-100（3/gcases）, PR（4/gcases）, Syn（3/9 cases） and CD56（5/9cases）, negative in CEA and ER. Conclusion：SPTP is a tumor predominantly occurring in young women frequently without special symptoms. This tumor has various characteristical histological patterns with different immunophenotype.     

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.