生脉注射液对百草枯中毒大鼠急性肺损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨生脉注射液对急性百草枯中毒大鼠所致肺损伤(ALI)的保护作用.方法 将50只SD大鼠随机分成5组,空白组、阴性对照组、阳性对照组、生脉低剂量组和生脉高剂量组.观察大体标本,组织病理以及生物学标志:肺湿/干重比、肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中性粒细胞比和蛋白含量.同时测定血清和BALF中MDA含量、SOD和GSH-Px活力,以及肺组织核因子-κB和iNOS活性.结果 与阴性对照组相比,生脉低剂量组肺组织病理显示肺淤血、肺水肿明显减轻;而且血浆和BALF中MDA含量下降,差异有显著性(P<0.01);GSH-Px和SOD活力升高,差异有显著性(P<0.01);核因子-κB和iNOS降低(P<0.05,P<0.01). 结论 急性百草枯中毒可以引起肺组织脂质过氧化损害,而且核因子-κB及iNOS在百草枯所致肺损伤中起重要作用.生脉注射液可使急性百草枯中毒引起的脂质过氧化损害得到改善,并且能降低核因子-κB及iNOS水平,减轻百草枯中毒大鼠肺组织损伤.     

依达拉奉对百草枯中毒大鼠肺损伤的保护作用

目的 自由基清除剂依达拉奉(Edaravone)在临床用于治疗急性脑梗死,其抗氧化作用亦可保护肺损伤.文中研究探讨依达拉奉对急性百草枯(Paraquat, PQ)中毒致大鼠肺损伤的保护作用.方法 72只SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组、染毒组和依达拉奉治疗组.空白对照组:8只,一次性给予与染毒组等量的等渗盐水;染毒组:32只,一次性腹腔注射百草枯溶液18mg/kg,染毒后不进行任何治疗;依达拉奉治疗组:32只,PQ染毒后即刻给予依达拉奉腹腔注射6mg/kg,1次/d,连续7d,每组按1、3、5和7d分为4个观察时段,测定不同时段大鼠肺组织匀浆与支气管肺泡灌洗液(bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, BALF)中丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase, SOD)活力和组织匀浆中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase, GSH-PX)活力,以及肺组织匀浆和支气管肺泡灌洗液中的白细胞介素-6(interleukin, IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子(tumor necrosis factor, TNF-α)的含量,并观察3组大鼠的肺损伤表现及光镜下肺组织的病理学改变.结果 染毒组各时段的大鼠肺组织匀浆和BALF中的MDA含量较空白对照组明显升高,SOD、GSH-PX活力下降,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);肺组织匀浆和BALF中的IL-6、TNF-α均较空白对照组明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).依达拉奉治疗组与染毒组比较,各时段大鼠肺组织匀浆和BALF中MDA含量下降,SOD活力升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);BALF中的GSH-PX升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);肺组织匀浆和BALF中的IL-6、TNF-α的含量也有不同程度降低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).依达拉奉治疗后光镜下肺损伤的表现较染毒组减轻,未观察到早期纤维化改变.结论 依达拉奉是一种新型的自由基清除剂,能减轻百草枯中毒后氧自由基损伤,抑制脂质过氧化反应,降低肺损伤早期的炎症介质水平,改善百草枯中毒后所引起的弥漫性肺损伤,可能成为一种新的治疗急性PQ中毒的药物.     

辛伐他汀对脓毒血症大鼠肺损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨辛伐他汀对脓毒血症大鼠肺损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法 选取成年雄性Wistar大鼠36只，随机分为假手术组、脓毒血症组和治疗组。建模前1周进行药物干预，其中，治疗组腹腔注射辛伐他汀0.2μg/g，每12 h 1次，连续治疗1周。假手术组和脓毒血症组腹腔注射同等剂量安慰剂。取建模24 h后的支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF），利用蛋白定量试剂盒对总蛋白进行定量，采用酶联免疫吸附法测定脂钙蛋白2(LCN2)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平，并对多形核中性粒细胞（PMN）进行计数。取各组大鼠肺组织，采用硫代巴比妥酸（TBA）法检测丙二醛（MDA）水平，黄嘌呤氧化酶法检测超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性。肺湿/干重（W/D）比值评估肺水肿情况。HE染色评估肺组织病理变化。结果 与假手术组相比，脓毒血症组的支气管肺泡灌洗液中LCN2、TNF-α和总蛋白水平以及PMN计数均显著增高，肺组织SOD活性下降，MDA水平升高，W/D比值升高。与脓毒血症组相比，治疗组支气管肺泡灌洗液中LCN2、TNF-α、总蛋白水平以及PMN计数均显著降低，肺组织SOD活性增高，MDA水平降低，W/D比值下降。肺组织...     

氢气对百草枯中毒大鼠急性肺损伤的保护作用

目的:探讨氢气对百草枯中毒大鼠急性肺损伤的保护作用。方法:24只大鼠随机分为3组:对照组、百草枯组和氢气组,百草枯组和氢气组腹腔注射百草枯(35mg/kg),氢气组于注射后立即开始吸入含2%氢气的空气。72h后检测肺湿/干比、肺泡灌洗液PMN、PaO2、肺损伤评分、肺组织丙二醛含量。结果:与对照组比较,百草枯组、氢气组肺湿/干比、肺泡灌洗液PMN、肺损伤评分、肺组织丙二醛含量升高,PaO2降低;与百草枯组比较,氢气组肺湿/干比、肺泡灌洗液PMN、肺损伤评分、肺组织丙二醛含量降低,PaO2升高。结论:吸入氢气能够通过抑制脂质过氧化,抑制白细胞在肺部的聚集,从而减轻百草枯中毒后引起的急性肺损伤。     

大鼠血红素加氧酶-1表达对呼吸机相关性肺损伤时SOD、MDA的影响

目的以大鼠呼吸机相关性肺损伤（VILI）为模型,用血晶素（hemin）诱导大鼠血红素加氧酶-1（HO-1）表达,观察VILI时超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和丙二醛（MDA）活性变化及HO-1对SOD和MDA的影响,探讨在VILI过程中的抗氧化应激保护作用及其机制。方法32只雄性SD大鼠随机分成4组（每组n=8）：对照组只做气管切开术,保留自主呼吸;模型组气管切开后行机械通气4 h;诱导剂组于模型制备前24 h腹腔注射血晶素40μmol/kg;抑制剂组于模型制备前24 h腹腔注射锌原卟啉（ZnPP）10μmol/kg。机械通气4 h后处死大鼠,收集肺组织和支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）标本,测定BALF中总蛋白含量,肺组织湿/干重比值（W/D）,肺组织LDH、SOD活性和MDA含量,检测肺组织HO-1蛋白表达,光镜下行肺组织病理学观察。结果与对照组相比,模型组大鼠肺组织病理损伤严重,肺W/D、BALF中总蛋白、LDH活性均明显增加,VILI模型复制成功。与模型组比较,诱导剂组肺组织HO-1表达增加,肺组织病理损伤明显减轻,SOD活性明显增加而MDA含量明显下降,用ZnPP抑制HO-1表达,此种保护作用消失。结论血晶素诱导大鼠HO-1表达可以增加SOD活性,降低MDA含量,减轻肺的氧化应激损伤,降低VILI的程度。     

依达拉奉在急性肺损伤大鼠中的抗氧自由基作用

目的 了解依达拉奉在大鼠急性肺损伤中抗氧自由基作用。方法 将实验大鼠随机分为对照组（A组）、油酸损伤组（B组）、油酸损伤＋依达拉奉预防组（C组）、油酸损伤＋依达拉奉治疗组（D组）。注入油酸6h后检测血浆丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷光甘肽（GsH）及谷光甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH—px）含量来评定氧自由基水平；计算肺湿／干重比（W/D）及肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中总蛋白含量来评定急性炎症肺水肿程度；取右肺尖做光镜病理切片检查。结果 C组和D组MDA明显低于B组，而SOD、GSH、GSH-px水平明显高于B组（P〈0．01），肺湿／干重比及肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中总蛋白含量也低于B组（P〈0．01）；C组和D组肺组织病理切片显示损伤较轻。结论 依达拉奉可以保护油酸所致的大鼠急性肺损伤。     

高浓度氧加重大鼠通气机所致肺损伤的实验研究

目的研究高浓度氧（100％）对大鼠通气机所致肺损伤（VILI）的影响。方法将48只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组，行机械通气，通气时间4h。A组实施空气常规潮气量（VT=8mL／kg）通气，B组实施高氧常规潮气量通气，C组实施空气大潮气量（VT=40mL／kg）通气，D组实施高氧大潮气量通气。每小时行1次动脉血气分析，计算氧合指数（PaO2／FiO2）。行支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）白细胞、中性粒细胞计数，测定左肺湿干重比值（W／D），BALF中肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）、巨噬细胞炎症蛋白2（MIP-2）含量以及肺组织丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）水平，并观察肺脏的组织病理学改变。结果组织病理学显示D组大鼠较C组肺脏内有更多的中性粒细胞浸润和肺泡壁结构的破坏。与C组比较，D组大鼠氧合指数显著下降，左肺W／D值显著升高，BALF中自细胞、中性粒细胞计数明显增加，BALF中TNF-α、IL-1β、MIP-2含量显著增高，肺组织MDA水平显著增加，SOD水平显著下降。B组与A组比较，除肺组织中MDA水平增加、SOD活性下降外，其余各项指标差异均无统计学意义。结论高浓度氧能明显加重大鼠大潮气量通气所致肺损伤，而对常规潮气量通气影响较小。     

利多卡因对兔内毒性素急性肺损伤的预防作用

目的：研究利多卡因对兔内毒素性急性肺损伤的预防作用。方法：雄性健康新西兰兔24只，分3组：空白组（S－S，输注生理盐水），内毒素组（L－S，输注内毒素后输注生理盐水），预防组（Ld2-L，输注内毒素前10min输注利多卡因负荷量2mg.kg^-1，然后2mg.kg^-1.h^-1)，控制呼吸，吸氧浓度95％，输注内毒素后6h杀兔。观察氧合指数（PaO2/FiO2）、肺动脉顺应性（Cdyn)、支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）白蛋白含量，肺湿／干重比值，肺组织超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）和这氧化物酶（MPO）以及肺形态学变化。结果：内毒素组PaO2/FiO2,Cdyn和肺组织SOD活性明显下降，BALF白蛋白含量，肺湿／干重比值和肺组织MDA和MPO含量明显上升，肺泡结构严重毁坏，肺泡间隔增宽，大量炎症细胞浸润，利多卡因预防可明显减轻这些变化。结论：利多卡因对兔内毒素性急性肺损伤有明显的预防作用。     

沐舒坦对盐酸吸入后大鼠氧化抗氧化系统的影响

目的：观察沐舒坦对盐酸吸入性肺损伤是否具有保护作用,并探讨其可能机制。方法：30只健康SD大鼠随机分成3组（A组：生理盐水吸入组;B组：稀盐酸吸入组;C组：稀盐酸吸入＋沐舒坦处理组）。C组予以50 mg/kg沐舒坦腹腔注射,每天1次,连续3 d,A,B组则以等体积生理盐水腹腔注射代替。第3 d腹腔注射沐舒坦或生理盐水30 min后,A组以1.2 ml/kg生理盐水经气管注入作为对照组;B,C组用pH 1.25盐酸+生理盐水混合液1.2 ml/kg气管注入。观察盐酸注入5 h后大鼠动脉血气、肺组织匀浆和血清中SOD活力、MDA含量。结果：沐舒坦预先处理能抑制盐酸吸入后引起的PaO2下降,3组间比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）。盐酸吸入5 h后B组肺匀浆和血中SOD活力均明显下降、肺匀浆MDA升高,而C组在盐酸吸入5 h后肺匀浆以及血中SOD活力明显高于B组,肺匀浆MDA则比B组明显低（P<0.01）,但3组血中MDA值比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：沐舒坦对盐酸吸入性肺损伤有保护作用,抑制脂质过氧化反应、提高抗氧化能力可能是沐舒坦减轻盐酸吸入性肺损伤的机制之一。     

脱氢穿心莲内酯琥珀酸半酯通过抑制iNOS 减轻LPS诱导的急性肺损伤导致的氧化应激

目的探讨脱氢穿心莲内酯琥珀酸半酯（DAS）通过抑制iNOS减轻LPS诱导的急性肺损伤导致的氧化应激。方法30只雄
性BALB/C小鼠平均分为对照组（Control组）、治疗组（LPS+DAS组）和模型组（LPS组）。使用ELISA对肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中
IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α水平进行测定。测量BALF中丙二醛（MDA）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）水平。对肺组织进行湿/干比（wet
to dry ratio, W/D）测定。HE染色用于肺组织病理变化观察和肺组织损伤评分测量。RT-PCR被用于iNOS mRNA的测定。使
用Western blot测定iNOS和β-肌动蛋白（β-actin）蛋白的表达。结果LPS干预后小鼠BALF中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α和MDA水平
明显上升而SOD水平显著下降,W/D比值和肺组织损伤评分明显升高,iNOS mRNA和蛋白的表达明显增加。LPS+DAS组小
鼠BALF中IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α和MDA水平、W/D比值、肺组织损伤评分、iNOS mRNA和蛋白的表达较LPS组小鼠明显下降;同
时BALF中SOD水平较LPS组小鼠明显增加。结论DAS可能是通过抑制iNOS表达减轻LPS诱导的急性肺损伤导致的氧化
应激。
     

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.