血管性认知功能障碍和海马氢质子磁共振波谱分析

目的:研究无海马萎缩的血管性痴呆(VD)患者的认知水平和氢质子磁共振波谱(1H-MRS的关系,探讨其对VD的诊断和评估价值。方法:VD组21例,非VD组19例,对照组10例,采用简易精神状态量表(MMSE)及蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MoCA)进行神经心理学评分;利用1H-MRS技术分析双侧海马N-乙酰天门冬氨酸(NAA)、胆碱复合物(Cho)、肌酸及磷酸肌酸(Cr)及NAA/(Cr+Cho)的比值;分析各组间认知评分及代谢物的差别,并进行相关性分析。结果:VD组MMSE、MoCA量表评分均低于非VD组和对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);VD组双侧海马NAA值均低于非VD组和对照组(P0.05)。三组Cr、CHo值比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。VD组双侧海马NAA/(Cr+Cho)值低于非VD组和对照组(P0.05)。VD组的MMSE、MoCA量表评分与海马的NAA值正相关,左侧海马(r=0.86、0.78,P0.05),右侧海马(r=0.81、0.75,P0.05)。VD组MMSE、MoCA量表评分与海马Cr和Cho值均无相关性(P0.05)。VD组MMSE、MoCA量表评分与海马NAA/(Cr+Cho)值正相关,左侧海马(r=0.75、0.76,P0.05),右侧海马(r=0.66、0.67,P0.05)。结论:无海马萎缩的VD患者存在海马代谢异常,表现为NAA及NAA/(Cr+Cho)值的降低,并且与认知水平呈相关性,1H-MRS技术结合神经心理学量表可对VD患者的评估和诊断提供依据。     

氢质子磁共振波谱分析对脑卒中后血管性痴呆患者的诊断价值

目的 利用氢质子磁共振波谱分析（1H-MRS）技术研究脑卒中后血管性痴呆（VD）患者颞叶海马区细胞代谢水平及其用于临床诊断的价值.方法 对年龄相匹配的脑卒中后VD患者18例、脑卒中非VD患者13例及来源于门诊就诊者14例正常对照组,行双侧颞叶海马区1H-MRS检测,3组患者双侧颞叶海马区N-乙酰天门冬氨酸盐（NAA）/肌酸（Cr）比值、胆碱复合物（Cho）/Cr比值.结果 脑卒中后VD组患者NAA/C比值较正常对照组及脑卒中非VD组均下降（P＜0.05 或0.01）;而Cho/Cr比值较正常对照组明显升高（P＜0.05 ）,较脑卒中非VD组左侧升高（P＜0.05）,但右侧的差异无统计学意义（P ＞0.05）.脑卒中非VD组NAA/Cr比值及Cho/Cr比值较正常对照组虽有变化,但差异无统计学意义（P ＞0.05）.脑卒中后VD组MMSE评分与双侧颞叶海马区NAA/Cr及Cho/Cr比值有相关性（P＜0.05）,且MMSE分数越低,NAA/Cr比值越低,而Cho/Cr比值越高.结论 利用1H-MRS技术研究脑卒中后VD患者双侧颞叶海马区细胞代谢水平,有助于早期发现脑卒中后VD.     

3.0T多体素氢质子磁共振波谱在评价脑胶质瘤病理分级及浸润范围中的应用

目的 探讨3.0T多体素氢质子磁共振波谱(1H-MRS)在评价胶质瘤术前病理分级及肿瘤浸润范围中的应用价值.方法 脑胶质瘤患者60例,其中低级胶质瘤28例,高级胶质瘤32例;所有患者在术前行3.0T l H-MRS检查,检测肿瘤、瘤周区域、正常脑组织胆碱复合物(Cho)/肌酸(Cr)、N-乙酰-L-天门冬氨酸复合物(NAA)/Cr、NAA/Cho的比值.结果 与正常脑组织比较,胶质瘤组织总体Cho/Cr比值升高,NAA/Cr、NAA/Cho比值下降(P＜0.05);低、高级别胶质瘤组织的Cho/Cr比值也高于对侧正常脑组织,NAA/Cho及NAA/Cr低于对侧正常脑组织(P＜0.05).高级胶质瘤组织Cho/Cr比值高于低级胶质瘤,NAA/Cho比值低于低级胶质瘤(P＜0.05);脑胶质瘤瘤组织Cho/Cr与病理级别呈正相关(P＜0.05),NAA/Cho与病理级别呈负相关(P＜0.05).与对侧正常脑组织比较,低级胶质瘤肿瘤周围区域的Cho/Cr比值升高,NAA/Cho及NAA/Cr比值降低(P＜0.05),高级胶质瘤肿瘤周围区域的Cho/Cr比值升高,NAA/Cho比值降低(P＜0.05).结论 3.OT多体素1H-MRS能反映胶质瘤细胞的生化物质代谢情况,可在一定程度上评价胶质瘤病理级别及肿瘤浸润范围,从而可提高脑胶质瘤术前诊断的准确性.     

~1H-MRS波谱成像与血管性非痴呆认知障碍的关系

目的:应用磁共振波谱(1 H-MRS)技术,探讨血管性非痴呆认知障碍(VCIND)患者的颅内物质代谢变化与认知障碍的关系。方法:对25例VCIND患者(A组)及23例脑梗死后认知功能正常(NCI,B组)进行简易精神状态检查量表(MMSE)和蒙特利尔认知评分量表(MoCA)评分,并对视空间及执行功能进行评分。根据认知功能评分结果,将两组患者进行1 H-MRS检查,测定双侧颞叶N-乙酰天冬氨酸(NAA)及胆碱复合物(Cho)与肌酸(Cr)比值,并探讨A、B两组物质代谢比值与MoCA评分、视空间及执行功能间的相关性。结果:与B组(NCI)NAA/Cr(左颞叶1.52±0.071、右颞叶1.51±0.06)相比,A组患者NAA/Cr(左颞叶1.37±0.08、右颞叶1.42±0.06)均下降(P<0.05),A组颞叶NAA/Cr值下降程度与MoCA评分、视空间及执行功能评分呈正相关;A、B组间Cho/Cr比值变化无统计学意义。结论:1 H-MRS检测颞叶代谢物变化对VCIND的早期诊断有重要作用。     

氢质子磁共振波谱在婴幼儿重症肠道病毒71脑炎的应用

目的 探讨氢质子磁共振波谱(1H-MRS)在婴幼儿重症肠道病毒71(EV71)脑炎中的早期表现及应用价值.方法 对25例婴幼儿重症EV71脑炎(病例组)进行分期,于起病5 d 内行脑干1H-MRS检查,主要检测指标为N-乙酰天门冬氨酸(NAA)、肌酸(Cr)、胆碱(Cho)及峰下面积比值NAA/Cr、Cho/Cr和NAA/Cho+Cr,并与10名健康儿童(对照组)进行比较.结果 病例组与对照组年龄的差异无统计学意义(t=0.048,P=0.962),对照组1H-MRS和MRI均未见异常.病例组Ⅱ期16例,Ⅲa期5例,Ⅲb期4例.Ⅱ期及Ⅲ期与对照组相比:Ⅱ期Cho/Cr差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),Ⅲ期Cho/Cr显著增高(P<0.05).Ⅲa期与Ⅱ期比较:Cho/Cr增高,NAA/Cho+Cr降低(均P<0.01),Ⅲb期与Ⅱ期比较:NAA/Cr、NAA/Cho+Cr降低,Cho/Cr增高(均P＜0.01).Ⅲa期与Ⅲb期相比:Ⅲb期NAA/Cr、NAA/Cho+Cr降低(分别P<0.01和P<0.05),Cho/Cr差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 重症EV71脑炎早期1H-MRS表现为NAA/Cr、NAA/Cho+Cr下降,Ⅲ期伴Cho/Cr增高,提示早期神经元损害、神经元丢失或功能障碍,可伴有髓鞘破坏或胶质细胞增生;1H-MRS生化代谢改变越明显,临床症状越重,预后越差;1H-MRS有助弥补MRI不足,能敏感检测重症EV71脑炎早期脑代谢物质变化.     

阿尔茨海默病患者神经心理学改变与氢质子磁共振波谱相关性研究

目的 分析不同痴呆程度阿尔茨海默病（AD）患者神经心理学改变与氢质子磁共振波谱（1H-MRS）之间的相关性.方法 按AD诊断标准、临床痴呆评定量表（CDR）纳入AD患者30例,分为轻度痴呆组、中度痴呆组、重度痴呆组,每组10例.对每例AD患者进行简易智能状态检查量表（MMSE）、日常生活能力量表（ADL）、社会功能活动量表（FAQ）、WAIS数字广度测验（DST）评定.采用1H-MRS分析技术测定双侧海马区N-乙酰天门冬氨酸（NAA）/肌酸（Cr）比值和胆碱（Cho）/肌酸（Cr）比值.结果 3组之间NAA/Cr比值差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）,随着痴呆程度加重,NAA/Cr比值逐渐减低.轻度痴呆组、重度痴呆组左侧海马区NAA /Cr比值与MMSE评分及DST评分呈显著正相关（r1=0.716、r2=0.640、r3=0.717、r4=0.766,P〈0.05）;中度痴呆组右侧海马区NAA /Cr比值与MMSE评分呈显著正相关（r=0.831,P〈0.05）;3组双侧海马区Cho /Cr比值与各量表评分均无明显相关性.结论 AD患者随着病情加重海马区代谢物NAA /Cr比值逐渐减低;海马区代谢物NAA /Cr比值变化可作为AD早期诊断、病情评估及病程监测的生物学指标.     

氢质子磁共振波谱在脑内低级别胶质瘤与脱髓鞘病变鉴别诊断中的应用

目的 探讨氢质子磁共振波谱(1H-MRS)在低级别胶质瘤与脱髓鞘病变鉴别诊断中的应用价值.方法 回顾性分析24例低级别胶质瘤和22例脱髓鞘病变1H-MRS检查结果,测定和分析病变及对侧正常脑组织N-乙酰天门冬氨酸/肌酸(NAA/Cr)、NAA/胆碱(Cho)、Cho/Cr等代谢比率.结果 低级别胶质瘤、脱髓鞘病变与其对侧正常脑组织相比,NAA/Cr、NAA/Cho和Cho/Cr差异具有显著性 (P<0.05).低级别胶质瘤与脱髓鞘病变相比,NAA/Cho和Cho/Cr差异具有显著性 (P<0.05),而NAA/Cr差异无显著性 (P>0.05).结论 低级别胶质瘤和脱髓鞘病变NAA/Cho和Cho/Cr差异具有显著性,可作为1H-MRS 鉴别低级别胶质瘤和脱髓鞘病变的依据.     

氢质子二维化学位移成像波谱法评价脑胶质瘤的价值

目的 探讨氢质子二维化学位移成像波谱技术在评价脑胶质瘤中的应用价值.方法 脑胶质瘤36例,用二维化学位移成像氢质子波谱技术,SE序列行1H-MRS检查,波谱VOI包括肿瘤区、肿瘤周围水肿区或肿瘤周围无水肿区、对侧正常脑组织区,获得不同区域代谢物变化.结果 低、高级别脑胶质瘤的肿瘤组织分别和对侧正常脑组织的NAA/Cr、Cho/Cr、NAA/Cho比值存在显著性差异(P＜0.01);低级别脑胶质瘤和高级别脑胶质瘤的肿瘤组织的NAA/Cr、Cho/Cr、NAA/Cho比值存在显著性差异(P＜0.05).脑胶质瘤肿瘤组织和肿瘤周围水肿组织的NAA/Cr、Cho/Cr、NAA/Cho比值存在显著性差异(P＜0.05);肿瘤周围水肿组织和对侧正常脑组织的NAA/Cr、Cho/Cr、NAA/Cho比值存在显著性差异(P＜0.05).脑胶质瘤肿瘤组织和肿瘤周围无水肿组织的NAA/Cr、Cho/Cr、NAA/Cho比值存在显著性差异(P＜0.05);肿瘤周围无水肿组织和对侧正常脑组织的NAA/Cr、NAA/Cho比值存在显著性差异(P＜0.05).但Cho/C/比值无显著性差异(P＞0.05).结论 二维化学位移成像波谱技术能为脑胶质瘤分级、瘤周侵犯情况及治疗提供准确有效的证据,且时间分辨率高.     

阿尔兹海默病氢质子磁共振波谱变化及意义

目的观察1.5T氢质子磁共振波谱(1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy,1H-MRS)检测阿尔兹海默(Alzheimer,s disease,AD)患者的代谢变化及其临床意义。方法对45名临床确诊轻度AD患者(AD组)和45名健康人(对照组)颞叶海马区进行H-MRS分析,得到N-乙酰天门冬氨酸(N-acetylaspartate,NAA)峰、胆碱(choline,Cho)、肌酸(creatine,Cr)峰及肌醇(myo-Inositol,mI)峰的积分值及计算出NAA/Cr、Cho/Cr和mI/Cr,并将二组数据进行对比。结果 AD组患者颞叶海马区的NAA/Cr值为1.311±0.121、Cho/Cr值为0.852±0.184、MI/Cr值为0.791±0.101,NAA/Cr、mI/Cr与对照组比较差异均有统计学意义(P=0.001),Cho/Cr与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.178)。结论 H-MRS检测颞叶海马区mI/Cr比值升高及NAA/Cr比值降低有助于AD的早期诊断。     

儿童癫痫的氢质子磁共振波谱分析

目的探讨氢质子磁共振波谱分析(proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy,1H-MRS)在儿童癫痫诊断中的应用价值.方法对22例原发性和继发性癫痫患儿均行常规MRI及和海马杏仁核区域1H-MRS检查,部分继发性癫痫患者同时行病变区1H-MRS检查,有6例进行增强扫描.结果22例患儿中5例诊断为原发性癫痫,17例为继发性癫痫,根据检测指标N-乙酰天门冬氨酸(N-acetylaspartate,NAA)、肌酸(creatine,Cr)和胆碱(choline,Cho)的信号强度和计算NAA/Cho Cr、NAA/Cho和NAA/Cr的比值,并进行比较显示共有18例1H-MRS检查异常,病侧NAA信号强度不同程度低于对侧,大部分病侧Cho高于病灶对侧,病灶侧NAA/Cho Cr比值为0.58±0.11,低于病灶对侧(0.73±0.16);NAA/Cho比值为1.07±0.35,也低于病灶对侧(1.39±0.35),有6例双侧NAA/Cho Cr比值下降.结论1H-MRS可有效探测癫痫患儿脑组织NAA、Cho、Cr等代谢物的变化,从而帮助和指导临床诊断治疗.     

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.