结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白MPT64的免疫学特性

目的:研究结核分枝杆菌(MTB)分泌蛋白MPT64的免疫学特性. 方法:用原核表达的MPT64蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠,ELISA法检测免疫小鼠的体液免疫应答效果. 分离免疫小鼠的脾淋巴细胞,体外用抗原再刺激,MTT方法检测IFN-γ产生水平和MTT法检测淋巴细胞增殖,并对脾脏细菌负荷计数. 结果:MPT64免疫小鼠可引起体液免疫和保护性细胞免疫,免疫小鼠的脾淋巴细胞体外用抗原再刺激,淋巴细胞的增殖较显着. MTT方法检测小鼠的IFN-γ量为1024 ng/L,而生理盐水对照组低于80 ng/L. 结论:MPT64蛋白有可能作为新型结核疫苗的组分.     

结核分枝杆菌Ag85B成熟蛋白基因免疫

目的　研究已构建的编码结核分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium tuberculosis,MTB) H37Ra株 Ag85 B成熟蛋白基因的真核表达质粒 p TB30 m的表达和免疫原性 .方法　以电穿孔法将 p TB30 m转染 CHO细胞 ,RT- PCR法检测转染细胞中 Ag85 B特异的 m RNA的表达 .将 p TB30 m质粒肌注免疫 BAL B/c和 C5 7BL /6小鼠 ,EL ISA法检测基因免疫的体液免疫应答效果 .分离免疫小鼠的脾淋巴细胞 ,体外用抗原再刺激 ,生物学方法检测 IFNγ产生水平和 MTT法检测淋巴细胞增殖 .结果　 RT- PCR检测证实 p TB30 m可在 CHO细胞中表达 .p TB30 m免疫小鼠可引起较高水平的 Ag85 B特异性的抗体应答 .免疫小鼠的脾淋巴细胞 ,体外用抗原再刺激 ,淋巴细胞增殖显著 ,BAL B/c和 C5 7BL/6小鼠 IFNγ的量分别达到 136 0 ng· L- 1 和 196 5 ng· L- 1 ,而生理盐水和空质粒对照组均低于 80 ng· L- 1 .结论　应进一步研究 p TB30 m作为TB的基因疫苗用于 TB的防治的效果 .     

结核分枝杆菌Ag85B-ESAT6融合蛋白在小鼠体内诱导的免疫应答及其保护力

目的: 研究Ag85B与ESAT6融合蛋白在小鼠体内诱导的体液和细胞免疫应答以及对MTB感染小鼠的保护力.方法: 采用皮下包埋的方法,将预先转移到硝酸纤维素膜上的表达蛋白免疫小鼠3次,每次间隔2 wk,用MTB培养上清滤液蛋白(culture filtrate proteins, CFP)作为抗原,ELASA测定免疫小鼠血清特异性抗体的滴度.为了检测融合蛋白免疫小鼠引起的细胞免疫应答,最后一次免疫完成后4 wk,取一部分免疫小鼠分离脾淋巴细胞,体外用抗原刺激,MTT法检测淋巴细胞刺激反应,ELISA检测悬液中IFN-γ水平. 另一部分免疫的BALB/c小鼠经尾静脉感染MTB毒株H37Rv,4 wk后计数脾脏细菌负荷数. 结果: Ag85B-ESAT6 蛋白免疫小鼠血清特异性抗体滴度为1: 1000,ESAT6-Ag85B 蛋白免疫小鼠血清特异性抗体滴度为1: 5000. 融合蛋白Ag85B-ESAT6和ESAT6-Ag85B免疫组淋巴细胞刺增殖指数分别为2.40±0.17 和2.60±0.25,而生理盐水组只有0.90±0.21;相对应的IFN-γ含量分别为(3.51±0.30) μg/L和(4.05±0.41) μg/L,显著高与生理盐水对照组(0.50±0.25) μg/L, P<0.05,但不及BCG免疫组(5.55±0.31) μg/L. 与生理盐水免疫组(细菌负荷6.31±0.13)相比较,融合蛋白免疫的BALB/c小鼠,对攻击感染后抗MTB在脾脏中增殖有显著作用(细菌负荷分别为5.04±0.11和5.15±0.29, P<0.05),但与BCG免疫组相比脾脏细菌负荷减少甚微. 结论: Ag85B与ESAT6融合蛋白可作为新型结核疫苗的候选组分.     

融合表达ESAT6-CFP10蛋白的重组耻垢分枝杆菌诱导小鼠的免疫应答及其保护力

目的研究融合表达ESAT6-CFP10蛋白的重组耻垢分枝杆菌诱导的小鼠体液和细胞免疫应答水平。方法以106CFU/0.1 mL重组M.S通过尾静脉途径免疫小鼠。用MTB培养上清滤液蛋白(CFP)作为抗原,用ELISA法测定免疫小鼠血清特异性抗体的滴度。取部分免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞,体外用ESAT6-CFP10融合蛋白刺激后,以MTT比色法检测淋巴细胞增殖反应,同时检测免疫小鼠IFN-γ和IL-2水平及脾细胞杀伤效应。结果融合表达ESAT6-CFP10蛋白的重组耻垢分枝杆菌免疫小鼠血清特异性抗体的滴度为1∶6 400。淋巴细胞刺激增殖指数为2.8,明显高于生理盐水组(0.90);IFN-γ和IL-2的含量分别为2230±11 pg/mL和221±17 pg/mL,显著高于生理盐水对照组,但不及BCG免疫组;同时重组耻垢分枝杆菌诱导的脾细胞杀伤率为45%。结论融合表达ESAT6-CFP10蛋白的重组耻垢分枝杆菌能诱导小鼠产生特异性体液和细胞免疫应答,可作为结核新型疫苗使用。     

结核分枝杆菌Ag85B和MPT64基因疫苗的免疫原性比较

目的 :研究并比较结核分枝杆菌 (H37Rv)Ag85B和MPT6 4DNA疫苗免疫学特性 .方法 :雌性C5 7/6小鼠 2 0只 ,随机分为 4组 .A组 (PBS)、B组 (pcDNA3.1)、C组 (pcDNA/Ag85B)、D组 (pcDNA/MPT6 4 ) ;分别于胫前肌注射 7.5g·L-1利多卡因和质粒混合物 (1∶4 ,5 0 μL) ,含质粒 70 μg/次 ,末次免疫后 4wk收集血清测总IgG ,分离脾淋巴细胞用PPD刺激后分别作脾淋巴细胞增殖实验 (MTT法 )和测上清中IFN γ 含量 .结果 :Ag85B和MPT6 4基因疫苗均能诱导小鼠产生特异性的IgG(平均滴度为 1∶80和 1∶6 0 )、脾淋巴细胞增殖 (比值≥ 2 )和IFN γ 的分泌 (Ag85B 176 2ng·L-1;MPT6 4 15 2 3ng·L-1) ,其淋巴细胞增殖和IFN γ 的分泌水平 ,Ag85B优于MPT6 4 .结论 :Ag85B和MPT6 4DNA疫苗均能诱导小鼠产生特异性细胞免疫和体液免疫 .     

结核分枝杆菌H37Rv两种抗原Ag85b、HspX的制备及其与佐剂的联合应用

目的 用分子生物学方法制备H37Rv的两种抗原Ag85b、HspX,通过与铝佐剂和CpG佐剂联用免疫小鼠进行初步药理学实验以观察其生物学活性.方法 常规方法分别构建重组表达质粒pET30a-Ag85b和pET30a-HspX,内切酶鉴定目的 片段后两种质粒分别转化BL-21大肠杆菌,经异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷诱导后分别产生两种蛋白;用阴离子交换柱Source30、QHP以及疏水层析柱对两种蛋白进行纯化;蛋白测序进行鉴定.纯化后的两种蛋白分别与铝佐剂和CpG佐剂联用(Ag85b,Ag85b+Al,Ag85b+CpG,Ag85b+Al+CpG;HspX,HspX+Al,HspX+CpG,HspX+Al+CpG),免疫C57/BL小鼠,同时设置生理盐水对照组,取脾细胞进行酶联免疫斑点实验(ELISPOT)检测干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)的分泌;同时进行淋巴细胞增殖实验检测脾淋巴细胞经体外刺激后的增殖情况.结果 成功构建了两种重组表达质粒pET30a-Ag85b和pET30a-HspX,成功诱导表达了两种蛋白;经过纯化,两种蛋白纯度均达到95%;经鉴定两种蛋白纯化产物的N端15个氨基酸序列与目的序列相同;Ag85b+CpG、Ag85b+Al和Ag85b+CpG+Al组经Ag85b(80 μg/ml)体外刺激后分泌IFN-γ显著升高,与生理盐水组比较差异具有显著性(P<0.05);HspX+CpG+Al组经HspX(80μg/ml)体外刺激后分泌IFN-γ显著升高,与生理盐水组比较差异具有显著性(P<0.05).结论 成功表达并纯化了结核分枝杆菌H37Rv的两种抗原Ag85b和HspX,与铝佐剂和CpG佐剂联用后成功刺激小鼠产生了细胞免疫反应,证实了两种重组蛋白的生物学活性,为下一步药效学评估奠定了基础.     

ESAT6抗原DNA疫苗在小鼠体内诱导的免疫应答

目的:构建结核杆菌ESAT6抗原DNA疫苗,并观察其在BALB/c小鼠体内诱导的免疫应答.方法:构建结核杆菌ESAT6抗原DNA疫苗pVAX-ESAT6,并将其肌肉注射免疫BALB/c雌性小鼠,用ELISA方法检测小鼠的血清抗体(IgG、IgG2a/IgG1)水平,并在体外用特异抗原刺激小鼠脾细胞,检测其分泌细胞因子(IFN-γ、IL-4)的水平;用乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放法测定小鼠细胞毒性T淋巴细胞反应.结果:pVAX-ESAT6 DNA疫苗诱导了抗原特异的体液免疫应答和细胞免疫应答,抗体亚型检测显示IgG2a与IgG1的比值为(2.28±0.4),脾细胞分泌的细胞因子水平检测显示IFN-γ的水平(360士45 Pg/ml)高于IL-4的水平(124±16 Pg/m).结论:成功地构建了pVAX-ESAT6 DNA疫苗,它能在小鼠中诱导抗原特异的免疫应答,应答类型以Th1型占优势.     

结核分枝杆菌基因Rv2660c、Rv2460c、Rv3875、Rv3804c细胞表位融合蛋白的表达及其免疫原性评价

  目的  评价结核分枝杆菌基因Rv2660c、Rv2460c、Rv3875和Rv3804c的细胞表位融合蛋白的免疫原性,为研制新型多阶段结核疫苗提供可靠的靶抗原。  方法  将Rv2660c、Rv2460c、Rv3875和Rv3804c基因中的细胞表位串联构成融合抗原基因(命名为msv),克隆到原核表达载体pEASY-Blunt E1中,诱导表达后采用亲和层析纯化表达产物,经SDS-PAGE和Western blot鉴定后,用纯化的融合抗原蛋白免疫小鼠,ELISA法检测免疫小鼠的特异性抗体滴度;分离免疫小鼠的脾淋巴细胞,采用淋巴细胞增殖法检测其免疫原性。  结果  成功构建了能表达融合抗原基因msv的原核表达质粒;SDS-PAGE和Western blot结果表明,表达产物亲和层析纯化后,获得相对分子质量为41.3×103的目的蛋白;ELISA检测免疫小鼠血清抗体滴度,结果表明特异性抗体效价约为1:81 920;淋巴细胞增殖实验结果表明,抗原致敏的淋巴细胞经融合蛋白msv刺激后明显增殖。  结论  成功表达并纯化出融合蛋白msv,该融合蛋白可诱导小鼠特异性抗体表达和刺激细胞免疫应答,可作为结核疫苗的抗原组分。     

结核分枝杆菌Ag85A在毕赤酵母中的表达、纯化及酶联免疫斑点试验研究

目的利用毕赤酵母表达和纯化结核分枝杆菌AgS5A蛋白,以期得到高效刺激T淋巴记忆细胞产生1．干扰素的特异性抗原。方法用PCR扩增得到Ag85a基因,构建出重组质粒pPic9k085a,通过电转化进入毕赤酵母,经遗传霉素G418抗性筛选、硫酸铵沉淀浓缩及离子交换层析纯化得到目的蛋白。最后以大肠杆菌和毕赤酵母表达的A邸5A分别为抗原刺激物进行酶联免疫斑点（Elispot）试验,分析其刺激BCG免疫小鼠T淋巴细胞产生Υ-干扰素（IFN-Υ）的能力。结果在毕赤酵母中成功克隆并稳定表达了Ag85A蛋白,Elispot检测结果表明,毕赤酵母比大肠杆菌产生的Ag85A蛋白,对小鼠T淋巴细胞的刺激效果更加明显（P〈0．05）,能产生更多的免疫斑点。结论毕赤酵母表达的Ag85A蛋白可以更高效的刺激T淋巴细胞,可用于检测结核杆菌感染诱导的细胞免疫应答。     

结核菌H37Ra在小鼠体内诱导的抗结核细胞免疫应答的研究

目的:研究结核菌H37Ra免疫小鼠后产生的特异性细胞免疫应答及其对结核分枝杆菌(Mycobacteriun tubetculosisMTB)毒株感染的保护力.方法:Balb/c小鼠随机分为H37Ra组、BCG组和生理盐水(NS)组,皮内免疫8周后处死小鼠,流式细胞分析仪检测小鼠脾脏T淋巴细胞亚群的变化;取小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外培养并用PPD刺激,MTT法检测脾淋巴细胞的刺激指数(SI);ELISA法检测培养上清液中IFN-?;免疫后第8周,用MTB毒株H37Rv经小鼠腹腔注射,4周后处死小鼠,测定小鼠肺脏荷菌量,观察免疫小鼠对MTB抵抗作用.结果:H37Ra免疫小鼠脾脏CD3 T细胞、CD4 T细胞的百分率分别为(41.63±1.68)%、(27.08±0.58)%,显著高于NS对照组(38.34±0.74)%、(24.37±1.60)%(P<0.05). H37Ra免疫组脾脏CD3 T细胞、CD4 T细胞及CD8 T细胞的百分率均不同程度地高于BCG免疫组,但差异无统计学意义.脾淋巴细胞SI和IFN-?水平检测均发现H37Ra免疫组显著高于NS对照组(P<0.05),略高于BCG免疫组.感染4周后H37Ra组小鼠肺脏荷菌量与NS对照组比较下降0.954log10CFU,差异有显著性(P<0.05),与BCG组之间差异均无显著性(P>0.05).结论:H37Ba免疫小鼠后可以诱导产生特异性抗结核的细胞免疫应答,能够抵抗毒株H37Rv的攻击,且免疫效果与BCG相近.     

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.