miR⁃552⁃3p通过抑制DACH1促进肝细胞性肝癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭

目的：探讨miR?552?3p在肝细胞性肝癌（hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC）中的表达及其促进细胞增殖和迁移、侵袭的机制。方法：qRT?PCR检测HCC细胞系及人正常肝细胞系中miR?552?3p的表达情况;下载TCGA数据库中HCC样本的微阵列数据,分析miR?552?3p在HCC癌组织及癌旁组织中是否存在表达差异;miR?552?3p mimics以及miR?552?3p inhibitor转染HCC细胞,荧光素酶报告基因验证miR?552?3p与DACH1是否存在靶向关系,CCK?8及Transwell实验检测miR?552?3p及其与DACH1相互作用对于HCC细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭的影响。结果：TCGA数据库中HCC样本的分析结果表明,miR?552?3p在HCC中高表达,同时qRT?PCR显示miR?552?3p在HCC细胞系中的表达水平显著高于人肝细胞系L02;miR?552?3p的高表达促进HCC细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭,而抑制miR?552?3p表达后则相反;荧光素酶报告实验证实miR?552?3p靶向作用于DACH1的3′?UTR,上调miR?552?3p可抑制DACH1的表达,而下调miR?552?3p则增加DACH1表达;DACH1的过表达可抑制HCC细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭,但同时过表达miR?552?3p后DACH1对于HCC细胞相关功能的抑制即可解除;miR?552?3p正向调控Wnt/β?catenin信号通路的激活。结论：miR?552?3p靶向作用于DACH1促进HCC细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭,并参与调控Wnt/β?catenin信号。可能为HCC的诊疗策略提供潜在靶点。     

miR-141-3p靶向UNC5C促进结肠癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭

目的 本文旨在探究miR-141-3p对结直肠癌细胞的生物学功能及其影响结直肠癌发展的分子机制。方法 用生信分析法分析结肠癌组织中的差异表达基因;qRT-PCR检测细胞中miR-141-3p和UNC5CmRNA的表达;WB检测各细胞中UNC5C的蛋白表达;通过MTT实验、细胞划痕实验、Transwell实验分别检测各细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭情况。双荧光素酶实验检测miR-141-3p对UNC5C的靶向作用。结果 结肠癌细胞中miR-141-3p高表达;下调miR-141-3p抑制结肠癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭;UNC5C在结肠癌细胞中低表达, miR-141-3p靶向抑制UNC5C的表达;miR-141-3p通过靶向UNC5C促进结肠癌细胞的增殖, 迁移和侵袭。结论 miR-141-3p靶向抑制UNC5C的表达, 为结肠癌患者的治疗提供了新思路。     

miR-1-3p抑制肝癌细胞SMMC-7721增殖、迁移并诱导其凋亡

目的 探讨在肝癌细胞SMMC-7721中微小RNA(miR)-1-3 p的表达变化对其增殖、迁移和凋亡的影响及miR-1-3p的作用机制.方法 采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)检测miR-1-3p和CAAP1的相对表达量;SMMC-7721细胞按miR-1-3p过表达载体(miR-1-3p组)、pcDNA3组、miR-1-3p inhib-itor组和NC inhibitor组(对照组)分别转染,采用qRT-PCR检测转染效果,CCK-8实验检测细胞增殖能力,克隆形成实验观察并比较组间克隆形成率,流式细胞术和Western blot检测细胞凋亡及CAAP1蛋白表达,划痕和Transwell实验观察SMMC-7721迁移和侵袭.利用miRDB、TargetScan、miRanda数据库预测miR-1-3 p靶基因,双荧光素酶报告验证miR-1-3和CAAP1靶向性.结果 miR-1-3p在SMMC-7721细胞中的表达明显低于正常肝细胞LO2,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);miR-1-3p上调,SMMC-7721增殖、迁移和侵袭能力显著下降,凋亡显著增强,而下调miR-1-3p的表达则作用相反;miR-1-3p和CAAP1具有靶向性;miR-1-3p过表达明显抑制CAAP1表达.结论 miR-1-3p上调可能通过与CAAP1的3'-UTR结合抑制SMMC-7721细胞增殖、侵袭、迁移.     

circ_0000069靶向miR-338-3p对非小细胞肺癌A549细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响

目的探讨环状RNA 0000069(circ_0000069)是否靶向miR-338-3p调控非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)A549细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭。 方法采用qRT-PCR技术检测NSCLC患者癌组织、癌旁正常组织中circ_0000069和miR-338-3p表达量。采用CCK-8、Transwell实验分析抑制circ_0000069或过表达miR-338-3p对A549细胞增殖活力、迁移和侵袭的影响。使用荧光素酶酶报告实验和qRT-PCR分析circ_0000069和miR-338-3p之间的相互作用。 结果NSCLC组织中circ_0000069表达量较癌旁组织升高(P＜0.05),而miR-338-3p表达量显著降低(P＜0.05)。抑制circ_0000069或过表达miR-338-3p后A549细胞活力、迁移和侵袭细胞数显著降低(P＜0.05)。miR-338-3p是circ_0000069的靶基因,circ_0000069靶向负调控miR-338-3p表达。干扰miR-338-3p表达显著减弱circ_0000069对A549细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的抑制(P＜0.05)。 结论抑制circ_0000069通过上调miR-338-3p抑制NSCLC细胞A549增殖、迁移和侵袭。     

lncRNA MNX1-AS1通过调控miR-218-5p影响非小细胞肺癌细胞的增殖、凋亡及迁移

目的探讨长链非编码RNA(lncRNA)MNX1-AS1通过调控miR-218-5p的表达对非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)细胞增殖、凋亡和迁移的影响。方法qRT-PCR检测MNX1-AS1和miR-218-5p在肺癌细胞系及肺正常上皮细胞系中的表达;采用双荧光素酶报告基因实验和RNA pull down实验验证MNX1-AS1和miR-218-5p之间的靶向关系;干扰A549细胞中MNX1-AS1和miR-218-5p的表达后,MTT、流式细胞术和Transwell实验检测MNX1-AS1靶向miR-218-5p对癌细胞增殖、凋亡、迁移及侵袭的影响。结果与肺正常上皮细胞系相比,肺癌细胞系中MNX1-AS1表达升高,miR-218-5p表达降低(P＜0.05);荧光素酶报告基因实验显示,MNX1-AS1可与miR-218-5p结合导致荧光素酶活性显著降低(P＜0.05);RNA pull down实验证实miR-218-5p能特异性结合MNX1-AS1(P＜0.05);抑制A549细胞中MNX1-AS1的表达后,miR-218-5p水平上调,细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力均显著降低,凋亡率显著升高;与MNX1-AS1抑制剂组相比,共抑制MNX1-AS1和miR-218-5p的细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭能力升高,凋亡率下降(P＜0.05)。结论MNX1-AS1可以通过靶向下调miR-218-5p的表达影响非小细胞癌的增殖、凋亡、迁移和侵袭。     

circCDYL靶向miR-552-5p抑制胃癌AGS细胞的增殖和转移

目的探讨环状RNA Y染色域样(circCDYL)对微小RNA-552-5p(miR-552-5p)及胃癌AGS细胞增殖和转移的影响。方法实时荧光定量PCR分析胃癌组织、癌旁正常组织样本中circCDYL和miR-552-5p表达水平。运用CCK-8法、集落形成、划痕愈合实验和Transwell实验分析circCDYL和miR-552-5p表达对AGS细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。Western blotting分析E-cadherin、N-cadherin蛋白表达。双荧光素酶报告实验分析circCDYL和miR-552-5p靶向关系。结果与癌旁正常组织比较,胃癌组织中circCDYL表达显著降低(P＜0.05),而miR-552-5p表达显著升高(P＜0.05)。过表达circCDYL或干扰miR-552-5p后AGS细胞增殖、集落形成数、划痕愈合率、侵袭细胞数均显著降低(P＜0.05)。circCDYL直接与miR-552-5p结合,上调miR-552-5p能够逆转过表达circCDYL对AGS细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的抑制作用(P＜0.05)。结论circCDYL通过靶向miR-552-5p抑制胃癌AGS细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭。     

lncRNA TTN-AS1通过靶向miR-204-3p调控胃癌细胞迁移、侵袭及上皮-间质转化

目的：探讨长链非编码RNA肌联蛋白反义RNA 1（lncRNA TTN-AS1）是否可通过靶向微小RNA-204-3p（miR-204-3p）调控胃癌细胞迁移、侵袭及上皮-间质转化（EMT）。方法：采用qRT-PCR法检测胃癌组织、癌旁组织中TTN-AS1、miR-204-3p的表达量;体外培养人胃癌细胞AGS,分别将si-NC、si-TTN-AS1、miR-NC、miR-204-3p mimics、si-TTN-AS1与anti-miR-NC、si-TTN-AS1与anti-miR-204-3p转染至AGS细胞;采用qRTPCR法检测AGS细胞中TTN-AS1、miR-204-3p的表达量;采用Transwell小室实验检测迁移及侵袭能力;双荧光素酶报告实验检测TTN-AS1、miR-204-3p的靶向关系。结果：胃癌组织中TTN-AS1的表达水平比癌旁组织增加约2.90倍（P ＜0.05）,miR-204-3p的表达水平比癌旁组织减少约0.57倍（P ＜0.05）;转染si-TTN-AS1或转染miR-204-3p mimics可明显减少迁移及侵袭细胞数（P ＜0.05）;双荧光素酶报告实验证实TTN-AS1可靶向结合miR-204-3p;共转染si-TTN-AS1与anti-miR-204-3p可明显增加迁移及侵袭细胞数（P ＜0.05）。结论：抑制TTN-AS1表达可通过上调miR-204-3p的表达从而抑制胃癌细胞迁移、侵袭及EMT。     

miR-124-3p靶向调控MAPK 14对子痫前期大鼠胎盘滋养层细胞增殖及侵袭的影响

目的探讨miR-124-3p通过靶向调控MAPK 14,从而对子痫前期大鼠胎盘滋养层细胞增殖与侵袭产生作用。方法提取正常大鼠及模型大鼠胎盘滋养层组织及原代细胞,分组转染。MTT、流式细胞术、Transwell检测检测细胞活力、凋亡、周期、迁移及侵袭能力,qRT-PCR及Western blot检测因子的表达水平。验证miR-124-3p和MAPK 14的靶向关系。结果过表达miR-124-3p后,细胞增殖、侵袭能力降低,细胞阻滞在G1/G0期,细胞凋亡增加;抑制miR-124-3p表达后,结果相反。双荧光素酶报告实验显示miR-124-3p与MAPK 14存在靶向关系。抑制MAPK 14表达后,与过表达miR-124-3p结果一致,细胞活力及侵袭能力降低,凋亡增加;过表达MAPK 14实验组与抑制miR-124-3p表达结果一致。结论 miR-124-3p可靶向负调控MAPK 14,对子痫前期大鼠胎盘滋养层细胞的增殖与侵袭产生影响。     

miR-1-3p靶向TNKS2抑制宫颈癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭

目的探讨miR-1-3p靶向端锚聚合酶2(TNKS2)基因对宫颈癌Ca-Ski细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭的调控作用。方法采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(q RT-PCR)检测正常宫颈鳞状细胞及不同宫颈癌细胞中miR-1-3p的表达情况,选取宫颈癌Ca-Ski细胞进行转染实验,利用脂质体转染法将miR-1-3p模拟物(miR-1-3p mimics)及模拟物对照(NC mimics)分别转染至Ca-Ski细胞,分别记为miR-1-3p mimics组和miR-NC组,将未经转染处理的Ca-Ski细胞记为Blank组(空白对照)。qRT-PCR检测各组Ca-Ski细胞中miR-1-3p的表达,噻唑蓝比色法(MTT)检测细胞增殖能力,Transwell实验检测细胞迁移和侵袭能力,通过生物信息学软件分析和双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证miR-1-3p和TNKS2靶向关系,蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测各组细胞中TNKS2蛋白表达。结果 miR-1-3p在宫颈癌细胞中的表达显著低于正常宫颈鳞状细胞(P0.05)。转染miR-1-3p mimics 48 h后,Ca-Ski细胞中miR-1-3p的表达显著升高(P0.05)。过表达miR-1-3p能够明显抑制Ca-Ski细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力(P0.05)。生物信息学软件分析显示miR-1-3p和TNKS2 3’UTR存在结合位点,双荧光素酶报告基因实验显示TNKS2是miR-1-3p的靶基因,Western blot检测结果显示miR-1-3p可抑制TNKS2的表达。结论 miR-1-3p可靶向TNKS2基因抑制宫颈癌Ca-Ski细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭。     

MiR-361-3p下调STC2抑制头颈部鳞状细胞癌的作用研究

目的: 探讨STC2调控HNSCC进展的作用机制。方法: HNSCC相关mRNA和miRNA通过对The Cancer Genome Atlas（TCGA）数据库分析整理获取。随后,通过MTT法、集落形成实验、流式细胞检测和迁移侵袭法,验证STC2下调后,对HNSCC细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭能力的影响。再利用生物信息学数据库,预测潜在靶向STC2的miRNA。通过qRT-PCR和荧光素酶报告基因实验,对预测获取的miR-361-3p干扰STC2的表达能力进行验证。最后,通过动物移植瘤模型验证了miR-361-3p通过下调STC2对HNSCC肿瘤发挥抑制作用。结果:STC2在HSNCC细胞中高表达。在体外,下调STC2抑制HSNCC细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭,促进HSNCC细胞的凋亡。荧光素酶报告基因实验证实miR-361-3p可能是STC2的上游调控因子。过表达miR-361-3p下调STC2,可以抑制HNSCC细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭,促进HNSCC细胞的凋亡。结论:STC2在HNSCC细胞中呈高表达。miR-361-3p负调控STC2,进而改变HNSCC的相关细胞进展。     

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.