模拟高原运动大鼠心肌重塑与肌球蛋白重链的适应性变化

目的观察缺氧及缺氧复合运动条件下大鼠心肌重塑与肌球蛋白重链(myosin heavy chain,MHC)异构体组成的变化。方法Wisatar大鼠随机分为4组平原对照组、缺氧组、平原运动组和缺氧复合运动组。缺氧复合运动组大鼠持续暴露于模拟海拔5000m高原5周,每天降至4000m高原进行游泳运动1h(6d/周),运动结束后回升至5000m;缺氧组大鼠同时在低压舱内相同海拔高度饲养,但不进行游泳运动;平原运动组和平原对照组在舱外同时饲养,其中平原运动组每天进行游泳运动1h(6d/周)。在末次运动结束后24h处死大鼠,分离左、右心室,称重并计算左、右心室重量指数。用含10%甘油的SDS-PAGE电泳分离左、右心室MHC异构体,观察心室肌MHC异构体组成变化。结果缺氧35d大鼠右心室重量指数增加,缺氧复合运动组大鼠左、右心室重量指数均增加。缺氧组右室MHC异构体组成比例与平原对照组相比无显著变化,平原运动组右室α-MHC异构体比例显著高于平原对照组,缺氧复合运动组右室α-MHC异构体比例显著高于平原对照组和缺氧组,低于平原运动组。左室MHC异构体组成比例变化趋势与右心室相似。结论缺氧复合运动条件下,心肌纤维MHC异构体由β-MHC向α-MHC转换,可能是缺氧条件下适度运动促进机体对高原习服适应的机制之一。     

高原缺氧条件下梭曼中毒大鼠心肌Gi α mRNA表达的变化

目的探讨高原缺氧条件下梭曼中毒大鼠心肌抑制性G蛋白α亚基(Giα)mRNA表达的变化.方法实验大鼠随机分为正常对照组、高原缺氧组、平原中毒组和高原中毒组.采用半定量RT-PCR技术检测各组大鼠心肌GiαmRNA表达的变化.结果缺氧、梭曼中毒单一或复合致伤均可引起心肌GiαmRNA表达降低,与平原中毒组比较,高原中毒24h时大鼠心肌Giα mRNA的表达降低4.1%(P＜0.05).结论高原中毒组大鼠心肌GiαmRNA表达的降低,可能是高原缺氧条件下梭曼中毒大鼠心功能损害加重的重要原因之一.     

低氧调节大鼠骨骼肌线粒体呼吸链复合体非协同性表达

目的观察慢性低氧时大鼠线粒体呼吸链复合体Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ蛋白表达变化并讨论其病理生理学意义。方法成年雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为慢性低氧(4500m,30d)组和对照组,取双侧腓肠肌,分离线粒体,用Clark氧电极法检测线粒体Ⅲ态呼吸(state3,ST3)、Ⅳ态呼吸(state4,ST4)和呼吸控制率(respiratory control ratio,RCR),用Western blot检测线粒体呼吸链复合体Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ蛋白的表达。结果慢性低氧组大鼠腓肠肌线粒体ST3和RCR显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。慢性低氧组大鼠腓肠肌线粒体复合体Ⅰ30×103亚基、复合体Ⅱ70×103亚基、复合体Ⅴα亚基蛋白表达量显著低对照组(P<0.05)。2组线粒体ST4和复合体Ⅲ核心亚基2蛋白表达无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论低氧可调节大鼠骨骼机线粒体复合体蛋白非协同性表达,导致线粒体氧化磷酸化功能下降。     

缺氧复合氯霉素处理对大鼠脑皮质线粒体氧化呼吸功能及COX活性的影响

目的观察大鼠经不同时间低压缺氧并复合线粒体蛋白翻译特异抑制剂氯霉素(CAP)处理后,脑组织线粒体呼吸功能和COX活性的变化以及CAP处理对缺氧过程中线粒体氧化呼吸功能的影响.方法成年雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组、单纯药物处理组和缺氧复合药物处理组,后者为模拟海拔5 000 m高原连续低压缺氧暴露1、5、15 d和30d,分别于动物处死前7 d按100 mg/kg体质量,腹腔注射0.5?P.高速离心密度梯度法分离大鼠脑皮质线粒体,Clark氧电极法测定线粒体呼吸活性,极谱法测量COX活性.结果与对照组相比,单纯CAP处理大鼠脑线粒体ST3、RCR、OPR及COX活性显著降低;复合缺氧后则线粒体呼吸功能及COX活性明显改善,且随缺氧时间的延长而基本恢复到平原对照组水平.结论缺氧可以改善氯霉素处理大鼠脑皮质COX活性及线粒体的氧化呼吸功能,提高氧化磷酸化效率,其改善程度具有时间依赖性,随缺氧时间的延长而逐渐恢复.     

氯霉素处理对急性缺氧大鼠脑线粒体氧化呼吸功能变化研究

目的通过观察氯霉素处理大鼠急性缺氧暴露后脑线粒体呼吸功能和细胞色素氧化酶(COX)活性变化,了解线粒体基因组表达在缺氧引起线粒体呼吸功能改变中的作用.方法以成年雄性Wistar大鼠建立氯霉素药物处理及高原缺氧模型.应用差速离心法提取脑皮质线粒体,Clark氧电极法测定线粒体呼吸功能,及细胞色素C氧化酶(COX)的活性.结果①急性缺氧24 h后大鼠脑线粒体Ⅲ态呼吸(ST3)、呼吸控制率(RCR)显著降低,呼吸Ⅳ态(ST4)较对照组显著升高;②氯霉素处理加缺氧组大鼠脑线粒体ST3较对照组显著降低,ST4较对照组、单纯缺氧、氯霉素组比较均显著降低,RCR与对照组比较显著降低,但高于单纯缺氧、氯霉素组;③单纯缺氧、氯霉素处理组脑组织COX活性显著降低,而氯霉素处理加缺氧组较单纯缺氧组COX活性从正常组的65.7%恢复至86.5%.结论①线粒体蛋白合成的抑制可导致线粒体氧化功能障碍,提示线粒体基因组的完整表达在其呼吸功能发挥中的重要作用;②氯霉素处理对缺氧造成的线粒体功能障碍具有保护作用.     

模拟高原缺氧大鼠脑线粒体UCP活性与含量的变化及其对线粒体能量合成的影响

目的 观察模拟高原暴露大鼠脑线粒体UCP活性和含量的改变,探讨其对线粒体能量合成功能的影响.方法 健康成年SD大鼠置于模拟海拔5 000 m低压舱中,23 h/d,连续3 d.差速离心法分离大鼠脑组织线粒体,Clark氧电极法测定线粒体的呼吸活性,罗丹明123法测定线粒体膜电位,高压液相色谱法测定腺苷酸的含量,用[3H]-GTP结合法测定线粒体UCP活性及含量.结果 高原缺氧导致大鼠脑线粒体解偶联蛋白与[3H]-GTP结合的解离常数Kd下降37%,结合[3H]-GTP的最大量Bmax增加2.9倍(P＜0.01);线粒体的呼吸ST3氧耗减为对照组的83.1%,而ST4则升高28%,RCR降为对照的66.67%(P＜0.01);相关分析显示,ST4与反映UCP活性的Kd呈显著负相关,而与UCP含量Bmax呈显著正相关(P＜0.01);同时线粒体内ATP含量仅为对照组的58.4%(P＜0.01),线粒体膜电位显著下降(P＜0.01).结论 模拟高原缺氧暴露可增加脑线粒体解偶联蛋白活性和含量,揭示缺氧时线粒体的呼吸氧耗及能量的生成的改变与关系.     

牛磺酸对缺氧大鼠视网膜缺氧诱导因子-1α表达的影响

目的观察牛磺酸对高原缺氧条件下大鼠视网膜中缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)表达的影响,探讨牛磺酸对视网膜缺氧适应的影响.方法 SD大鼠分为4组,平原对照组(C)、模拟5 500 m高度缺氧组(H)与平原牛磺酸组(T)、模拟5 500 m高度缺氧牛磺酸组(HT),分别以基础饲料和添加了2.4%牛磺酸的饲料喂养1周,营养干预后平原对照组、平原牛磺酸组在平原继续饲养,模拟缺氧组、模拟缺氧 牛磺酸组放入低压舱模拟5 500 m高原缺氧,分别在处理0、2、6、12、24、48、72 h后取视网膜.应用RT-PCR、免疫组化和Western blot方法检测视网膜中HIF-1α在mRNA和蛋白水平的表达.结果缺氧后视网膜中HIF-1α免疫阳性神经元数目明显增多,主要分布在视网膜内层,内核层(INL)中细胞免疫阳性率从缺氧2 h开始增加,到72 h阳性率下降到与对照无显著性差异.mRNA与蛋白的表达在缺氧早期高于后期.牛磺酸处理后细胞免疫阳性率增加,HIF-1αmRNA与蛋白的表达量也明显增强.结论牛磺酸能通过缺氧诱导因子途径促进视网膜缺氧适应性调节,保持正常的视觉功能.     

糖脂平对胰岛素抵抗大鼠PGC-1α、细胞色素C、ATP合成酶β亚基基因表达影响

目的观察糖脂平对高脂饮食诱导的胰岛素抵抗(IR)大鼠过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ辅助因子1α(PGC-1α)、细胞色素C、ATP合成酶β亚基基因表达的影响。方法将80只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常组(20只)和造模组(60只),造模组用高脂高糖饲料喂养8周造模,其中54只造模成功的大鼠分为模型组、中药组、西药组,每组18只。中药组和西药组分别给予糖脂平和二甲双胍灌胃,模型组和正常组灌服等量的生理盐水。给药8周后,用RT-PCR测定各组大鼠骨骼肌PGC-1α和细胞色素C、ATP合成酶β亚基基因表达情况。结果与正常组相比,模型组大鼠PGC-1α、细胞色素C及ATP合成酶β亚基基因表达量明显下降(P0.05);与模型组比较,糖脂平可以上调PGC-1α、细胞色素C及ATP合成酶β亚基的基因表达量(P0.05)。结论中药糖脂平可以上调PGC-1α的基因表达量,从而提高细胞色素C及ATP合成酶β亚基基因表达量,具用明显改善IR大鼠线粒体氧化磷酸化功能的作用。     

急性缺氧对大鼠心肌组织AMPK磷酸化和糖原含量的影响

目的研究急性缺氧对大鼠心肌组织AMPK磷酸化和糖原含量的影响,探讨急性缺氧时心肌组织的能量代谢状况。方法用随机数字表将16只健康雄性SD大鼠分为平原对照组(n=8)和急性缺氧组(n=8)。急性缺氧组大鼠置于模拟海拔5 000 m高原的低压舱中。24 h后测定2组大鼠血糖、血乳酸以及心肌组织糖原含量,用心导管技术测定大鼠心脏功能,Western blot法检测心肌组织AMPK、磷酸化AMPK(pAMPK)水平以及葡萄糖转运体-4(GLUT4)的表达。结果与平原对照组相比较,急性缺氧组大鼠肺动脉压显著升高,右心室功能显著增强,左心室功能无明显变化;血糖含量显著升高[(5.6±0.6)mmol/Lvs(7.5±0.5)mmol/L,P<0.05];左、右心室心肌组织GLUT4表达显著增强,糖原含量显著增加[右心室心肌:(4.78±1.29)mg/gvs(6.55±1.20)mg/g,P<0.05;左心室心肌:(4.15±0.77)mg/gvs(5.73±1.57)mg/g,P<0.05];左、右心室心肌组织AMPK含量无明显变化,但pAMPK含量显著降低,pAMPK/AMPK比值显著降低(P<0.05)。结论模拟高原5 000 m急性缺氧静息状态下心肌组织AMPK磷酸化水平降低,说明心肌能量供求处于平衡状态,心肌糖原含量增加可能是AMPK磷酸化水平降低的机制之一。     

热习服对湿热环境运动刺激大鼠大脑皮质和心肌线粒体的影响

目的 探究热习服是否能够对湿热环境下进行中高强度运动大鼠的大脑皮质和心肌线粒体结构与功能起保护作用,并探讨其保护机制.方法 40只SD大鼠通过负重力竭实验剔除游泳时间过短和过长的大鼠各4只,剩余32只大鼠随机分成常温自由活动(RA)组、常温运动(RE)组、高温自由活动(HA)组和高温运动(HE)组,每组8只.RA和HA组大鼠分别置于常温[(24±1)℃]和高温[(32±1)℃]条件下自由活动2 h/d;RE和HE组大鼠分别置于常温[(24±1)℃]和高温[(32±1)℃]条件下的饲养笼内自由活动1 h/d后,在动物跑步机上匀速跑步1 h/d(坡度为0°,速度为14m/min);连续训练14 d建立热习服大鼠模型.建模后第3天开始,各组大鼠在湿热环境下中高强度运动30 min.测量并记录湿热环境下中高强度运动前、后大鼠体质量丢失率、肛温,采用放射免疫法测量血浆去甲肾上腺素(NE)、血管加压素(AVP)和皮质醇(Cort)含量,透射电镜观察运动后大鼠大脑皮质和心肌线粒体的超微结构,ELISA法检测ATP合成酶和活性氧(ROS)含量,总抗氧化能力测试(ABTS)法检测总抗氧化能力.结果 HE组大鼠在湿热环境下中高强度运动后体质量丢失率高于RA组(P＜0.01);HE组大鼠运动前、后肛温以及肛温升高幅度均低于RA、RE和HA组(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).HE组大鼠运动后血浆中Cort含量低于RA、RE和HA组(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),大脑皮质和心肌线粒体中ATP合成酶和组织中总抗氧化能力高于RA、RE和HA组(P＜0.01),ROS含量低于RA、RE和HA组(P＜0.01).HE组大鼠大脑皮质中线粒体和突触结构以及心肌中线粒体、Z线和横小管的结构优于RA、RE和HA组.结论 热习服训练能够增强线粒体氧化呼吸功能、降低细胞的氧化应激水平和血浆中Cort含量,从而保护湿热环境下中高强度运动后大鼠的大脑皮质神经元和心肌细胞线粒体结构.     

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.