赖氨酰氧化酶基因在乳腺癌组织中的表达及意义

目的:研究赖氨酰氧化酶(LOX)在乳腺癌组织、正常乳腺组织及乳腺良性病变组织中的表达,并与乳腺癌常规预后指标(患者年龄、肿瘤大小、淋巴结转移与否、临床分期)进行比较,探讨其与乳腺癌侵袭或转移的关系.方法:应用逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)的方法检测56例乳腺癌组织、56例正常乳腺组织及20例乳腺良性病变组织中LOX mRNA的表达情况,并应用相关统计学方法进行分析.结果:LOX mRNA在乳腺癌组织、正常乳腺组织及乳腺良性病变组织中的表达率分别为57.14%、32.14%、25.00%,乳腺癌组织中LOX mRNA的表达率明显高于正常乳腺组织及乳腺良性病变组织(P=0.008,P=0.014).LOX mRNA在不同临床分期(P=0.001)及淋巴结转移(P=0.013)中的表达率存在显著差异,但在不同年龄及肿瘤大小患者的癌组织中LOX mRNA的表达率无差异(P=0.076).结论:LOX mRNA在乳腺癌中的表达率明显高于正常乳腺组织及乳腺良性病变组织.LOX mRNA与乳腺癌临床分期密切相关,临床分期越晚,其肿瘤组织中LOX mRNA的表达率越高.伴淋巴结转移乳腺癌LOX mRNA表达率高于无淋巴结转移者.LOX mRNA表达率与肿瘤大小、患者年龄无关.     

HIF-1α蛋白在乳腺癌发生、发展不同阶段的表达及意义

目的:本研究通过观察HIF-1α正常乳腺组织及乳腺癌组织中的蛋白表达,探讨HIF-1α在乳腺癌发生、发展中的作用.方法:采用免疫组织化学SP法检测正常乳腺组织(20例)、乳腺囊性增生组织(20例) 、乳腺不典型增生组织(20例)及乳腺癌组织(60例)中HIF-1α蛋白的表达,并分析其和乳腺癌临床病理特征的关系.结果:HIF-1α蛋白在正常乳腺组织无阳性表达,在乳腺囊性增生组织、乳腺不典型增生组织及乳腺癌组织中的阳性率分别为5%, 30%, 61.67%,组间比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);低分化组癌组织中HIF-1α蛋白的表达率高于高、中分化组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);并且随着分期越高,其阳性表达率越高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);淋巴结转移组中的HIF-1α表达明显高于无转移(P＜0.05);HIF-1α蛋白表与患者5 a生存率有关(P＜0.05).结论:HIF-1α蛋白在乳腺癌发生、发展不同阶段的表达呈进行性上升的趋势,过度表达提示预后不良.     

胰岛素样生长因子-1和缺氧诱导因子-1α蛋白在浸润性乳腺癌组织中的表达及其临床病理学意义

目的检测乳腺良、恶性病变及正常乳腺组织中胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)和缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)蛋白的表达情况,并分析其与相关临床病理学参数的关系。方法采用免疫组织化学SP法检测120例浸润性乳腺癌、40例乳腺纤维腺瘤和40例正常乳腺组织中IGF-1和HIF-1α蛋白的表达情况。结果浸润性乳腺癌和乳腺纤维腺瘤组织中IGF-1和HIF-1α蛋白的阳性表达率高于正常乳腺组织(χ2IGF-1=36.323、6.050,P<0.001、0.05;χ2HIF-1α=54.889、12.468,P<0.001);浸润性乳腺癌组织中IGF-1和HIF-1α蛋白的阳性表达率高于乳腺纤维腺瘤组织(χ2IGF-1=12.919,P<0.001;χ2HIF-1α=30.691,P<0.001)。IGF-1、HIF-1α的表达与肿瘤大小和腋窝淋巴结转移情况密切相关(P<0.05),但与组织学类型、雌激素受体和孕激素受体表达情况无显著相关性(P>0.05)。蛋白之间的相关性分析显示,IGF-1和HIF-1α蛋白表达之间呈明显的正相关关系(r=0.206,P<0.05)。结论 IGF-1和HIF-1α蛋白的表达与浸润性乳腺癌的进展有一定的相关性,联合检测二者的表达可以对浸润性乳腺癌的治疗及预后判断提供一定的理论依据。     

赖氨酰氧化酶与乳腺癌侵袭转移相关因子的研究

目的探讨赖氨酰氧化酶(LOX)与乳腺癌侵袭转移相关因子基质金属蛋白酶(MMPs)及低氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)的相关性以及LOX在乳腺癌侵袭转移中的可能机制。方法构建LOX基因的特异性慢病毒干扰载体(LOX-RNAi-LV),稳定转染至乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231,实验设空白组、干扰组和阴性对照组,实时定量荧光PCR检测3组细胞中LOX、MMP-2、MMP-9和HIF-1α的表达,Western blot检测各组LOX蛋白的表达;构建乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231,MCF-7和LOX基因干扰的MDA-MB-231裸鼠移植瘤模型,6周后测定移植肿瘤的生长及转移情况,SP免疫组织化学技术检测移植瘤中LOX、MMP-2、MMP-9及HIF-1α蛋白的表达情况。结果转染LOX-RNAi-LV后乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231中的LOX mRNA和蛋白被明显抑制,抑制率为89.20%和82.97%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);干扰组的MMP-2、MMP-9及HIF-1α表达与阴性对照组及空白组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);6周后裸鼠的MDA-MB-231组LOX、MMP-2、MMP-9及HIF-1α蛋白表达水平明显高于LOX基因干扰组及MCF-7组,相关分析显示,LOX蛋白与MMP-2(r=0.696,P=0.000)、MMP-9(r=0.735,P=0.000)、HIF-1α(r=0.737,P=0.000)蛋白呈显著正相关。结论 LOX-RNAi-LV可有效下调乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231中LOX mRNA和蛋白表达水平;LOX促进乳腺癌侵袭转移的机制可能与MMP-2、MMP-9及HIF-1α的异常表达相关。     

乳腺癌组织中HIF-1α及VEGF-C蛋白表达分析

目的:分析乳腺癌组织中缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)及血管内皮生长因子-C(VEGFC)的表达及二者的相关性,探讨其与临床病理特征的关系。方法:采用免疫组化SP法检测乳腺纤维腺瘤和乳腺癌组织中HIF-1α、VEGF-C蛋白的表达,并进行统计学分析。结果:HIF-1α蛋白在乳腺癌中阳性率(52.08%)明显高于在乳腺纤维腺瘤中的阳性率(20.00%);VEGF-C蛋白在乳腺癌中的阳性率(66.67%)明显高于在乳腺纤维腺瘤中的阳性率(33.33%)。HIF-1α、VEGF-C的表达均与临床分期、组织学分级及淋巴结转移呈正相关,与肿块大小、PR、ER无关,HIF-1α的表达还与VEGF-C呈正相关。结论:HIF-1α及VEGF-C在乳腺癌组织中表达明显上调且呈正相关,提示二者在乳腺癌的生长,淋巴管的生成及淋巴结的转移中可能有协同作用。     

女性乳腺癌组织ERα、ERβ的表达及其意义

目的: 研究雌激素受体α(ERα)与ERβ mRNA及ERα蛋白在女性乳腺癌组织中的表达,并探讨ER亚型的表达与乳腺癌临床病理特征之间的关系及其表达意义。方法: 采用R T-PCR及免疫组化S-P法,检测52例乳腺癌组织及19例乳腺纤维腺瘤组织中ERα与ERβ mRNA及ERα蛋白的表达。结果: ERβ mRNA总表达率在乳腺癌组织中为51.9%,高于其在乳腺纤维腺瘤组织中的表达率21.1%(P<0.05);ERαmRNA单独表达率在乳腺纤维腺瘤组织中为63.2%,高于其在乳腺癌组织中的表达率25.0%(P<0.05);ERα与ERβ mRNA共表达表型在乳腺癌组织中的表达率为51.9%,高于其在乳腺纤维腺瘤组织中的表达率15.8%(P<0.05);在乳腺癌组织中ERα与ERβ共表达表型与淋巴结转移有一定关系(P<0.05),并趋向于更高的肿瘤病理学分级;ERα蛋白在乳腺癌及乳腺纤维腺瘤两种组织中的表达率相似。结论: 在乳腺癌组织中ERα与ERβ共同表达可能是乳腺癌患者预后不良的指标。     

HIF-1α和CXCR4蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的表达及意义

目的 探讨缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)和趋化因子受体4(CXCR4)蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的表达及与临床病理因素的关系.方法 采用免疫组化法检测60例乳腺癌、30例乳腺纤维腺瘤和20例正常乳腺组织中HIF-1α和CXCR4蛋白的表达,分析乳腺癌组织中HIF-1α和CXCR4蛋白表达之间及其与临床病理因素的关系.结果 HIF-1α和CXCR4蛋白在正常乳腺组织中无阳性表达;在乳腺纤维腺瘤和乳腺癌组织中,HIF-1α蛋白的阳性表达率分别26.7%和65.0%(P<0.05),CXCR4蛋白的阳性表达率分别为23.3%和56.7%(P<0.01).HIF-1α蛋白表达与淋巴结转移、肿瘤分期、组织学分级和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达密切相关(P<0.05),与年龄、肿瘤大小、雌激素受体(ER)和孕激素受体(PR)表达无关;CXCR4蛋白表达与淋巴结转移、肿瘤分期以及VEGF、ER和PR表达密切相关(P<0.05),与年龄、肿瘤大小和组织学分级无关.HIF-1α与CXCR4蛋白表达呈正相关(r=0.346,P=0.007).结论 HIF-1α和CXCR4蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的高表达与乳腺癌发生、发展及淋巴结转移密切相关.联合检测HIF-1α和CXCR4蛋白的表达,有利于评估乳腺癌的生物学行为,提高预后判断的准确性,并对临床治疗有重要的指导意义.     

赖氨酰氧化酶体内外对乳腺癌增殖和侵袭作用的研究

目的 探讨赖氨酰氧化酶(lysyl oxidase,LOX)对人乳腺癌细胞的生长增殖、侵袭及转移能力的影响及可能作用的机制.方法 构建LOX基因的特异性慢病毒干扰载体(LOX-RNAi-LV),稳定转染至乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231,实验设3个组,即空白组(Con)、干扰组(RNAi)、阴性对照组(Mock),四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法、细胞集落形成实验及流式细胞仪观察细胞生长及增殖情况,细胞侵袭迁移实验(Transwell)检测细胞侵袭及迁徙能力改变;免疫组织化学法检测111例人乳腺癌组织、癌旁乳腺组织及20例乳腺良性病变组织中LOX、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP-2,MMP-9)的表达,并对LOX与临床病理资料及MMP-2、MMP-9的相关性进行分析.结果 转染72h后,MTT法显示干扰组细胞生长明显受抑制;细胞集落形成实验显示干扰组的细胞集落形成率明显低于空白组和对照组;Transwell侵袭和迁移实验结果显示RNAi组穿过Transwell小室滤过膜细胞数分别为47 +2和63 +2,差异有统计学意义(P=0.000);流式细胞仪测定细胞周期,3组之间差异无统计学意义.LOX蛋白在人乳腺癌、癌旁乳腺组织及乳腺良性肿瘤组织中的表达率分别为48.64％ (54/111)、26.13％(29/111)、20.00％(4/20),乳腺癌组织中LOX蛋白的表达率明显高于癌旁乳腺组织及乳腺良性肿瘤组织(P =0.019).LOX蛋白在不同肿瘤大小、临床分期、淋巴结转移的表达率存在显著差异.相关分析显示,LOX蛋白表达与MMP-2(r =0.262,P=0.005)、MMP-9(r =0.424,P=0.000)蛋白之间呈显著正相关.结论 LOX可以促进乳腺癌的侵袭转移;LOX和MMP-2、MMP-9转移因子可能具有协同促进作用,促进了乳腺癌的侵袭转移.     

乳腺癌组织中Survivin和HIF-1α的表达及临床意义

目的 探讨Survivin、HIF-1α在乳腺癌中的表达和意义.方法 用免疫组化SP法检测5例正常乳腺组织、5例增生乳腺组织、15例原位乳腺癌组织、60例浸润性乳腺癌组织中Survivin、HIF-1α蛋白的表达.结果 Survivin、HIF-1α蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的阳性率明显高于正常乳腺组织或增生乳腺组织,差异有显著性(P<0.05).在乳腺癌组织中,随组织学病理分级的增加、临床分期的进展和腋窝淋巴结的转移,Survivin、HIF-1α表达阳性率逐渐上升,差异有显著性(P<0.05);Survivin、HIF-1α蛋白表达相关(P<0.01).结论 Survivin、HIF-1α仅在乳腺癌的发生、发展过程中起着重要的作用,联合检测可为乳腺癌的早期诊断、进一步治疗及预后判断提供必要的理论依据.     

乳腺癌组织CK5/6 HIF-1α的表达及临床意义

目的研究CK5/6、HIF-1α在乳腺癌组织中的表达情况,并探讨其临床意义。方法采用免疫组织化学染色法检测正常乳腺、三阴性乳腺癌及非三阴性乳腺癌组织中CK5/6、HIF-1α的表达情况。结果 1)三阴性乳腺癌组及非三阴性乳腺癌组织组中CK5/6、HIF-1α的表达明显高于正常乳腺组织(P<0.05);2)三阴性乳腺癌组中CK5/6、HIF-1α的表达明显高于非三阴性乳腺癌组织组(P<0.05);3)乳腺癌组中CK5/6在三阴性乳腺癌中的表达与患者年龄、月经状态、肿瘤分期、肿瘤大小和淋巴结累及情况均无关;4)三阴性乳腺癌组中HIF-1α高表达与乳腺癌组织学分期、临床分期和淋巴结转移关系密切。结论 CK5/6的表达反映了肿瘤的起源,HIF-1α在乳腺癌中的表达程度可能与肿瘤的侵袭进展相关。     

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.