KIR及苴HLA配体与肾移植急性排斥反应的关系

目的 探讨供受者对杀伤细胞免疫球蛋白样受体(KIR)及其人类白细胞抗原(HLA)配体所介导信号传导通路在肾移植受者术后发生急性排斥反应(AR)中可能的作用.方法 回顾性分析53对肾移植供受者对HLA和KIR基因型,受者按照术后肾功能状态分为急性排斥组(n=19)和肾功能稳定组(n=34),探讨供者HLA、受者KIR基因型以及受者KIR/供者HLA配体组合型与肾移植急性排斥反应发生的相关性.结果 供者HLA、受者KIR基因表现型频率在急排组和稳定组的分布:供者HLA基因型HLA-CI/2、HLA-A3、HLA-A11、HLA-Bw4在两组间分布无显著统计学差异(P>0.05).受者KIR2DL2/2DS2在急排组表达低于稳定组(26.3% vs 55.9%,P=0.038),受者KIR基因组合型AA类型在急排组表达低于稳定组(31.6% vs 67.6%,P=0.011).供者HLA-Cw、受者KIR基因组合型术后急性排斥反应发生率:供者HLA-C1/C1类型低于非HLA-C1/C1类型(31.6% vs 46.7%,P>0.05).受者KIR基因组合型AA类型低于非AA类型(20.7% vs 52.2%.P=0.011).受者KIR/供者HLA配体组合型匹配情况:肾功能稳定组中KIR2DL2/HLA-C1和KIR2DL2/HLA-C1信号匹配率较急性排斥组高(P=0.030,P=0.028).结论特定的KIR/HLA配体组合型(如KIR2DL2/HLA-C1、KIR2DL2/HLA-C1)可以降低肾移植术后急性排斥反应的发生率.良好的供者HLA和受者KIR配型选择有利于同种异体肾移植的预后.     

抑制型KIR基因组合型与肾移植急性排斥反应的关系

目的：探讨抑制型KIR基因组合型（AA类型）传导通路在尸体肾移植受者发生急性排斥反应（AR）中可能的作用.方法：应用PCR-SSP方法,检测24对肾移植供受者的KIR基因组合型,分析供受者AA类型和非抑制型KIR基因组合型（BB,AB类型）与肾移植术后AR的相关性.结果：24对供受者中AA类型供者9例,受者10例;BB类型供者3例,受者4例;AB类型供者12例,受者10例.AA类型受者AR发生率10%（1/10）,BB和AB类型受者AR发生率64%（9/14）（P〈0.05）.供者是AA类型受者AR发生率11%（1/9）,供者是BB和AB类型受者AR发生率60%（9/15）（P〈0.05）.供受者为AA/AA类型配型受者AR发生率为0%（0/4）,而供受者不是AA/AA类型配型受者AR发生率为50%（10/20）（P=0.114）.结论：AA类型受者肾移植术后AR的发生率低,对BB或AB类型受者选择AA类型的供肾能够降低AR的发生率.AA类型可能传导抑制信号为主.     

KIR基因错配对肾移植临床疗效的影响

目的探讨KIR基因错配对肾移植效果的影响。方法调查111对肾移植供受者的KIR基因和受者术后持续随访>37个月
中急性排斥（AR）以及1、3年人/肾存活率的情况。结果（1）肾移植供、受者中均表达17个KIR基因,其中受者KIR3DS1的频率
显著高于供者组（38.75% vs 24.66%,OR=2.17,χ2=3.94,P<0.05）;（2）供受者KIR基因的平均相合率为82.53%;（3）肾移植后AR
组供、受者中KIR2DS1相合率显著高于非AR组（85.00% vs 54.95%,χ2=6.19,P<0.05),供受者KIR基因型为AB型→AB型的比
率显著高于非AR组（33.33% vs 8.00%,P<0.05）。（4）111例受者的1年人/肾存活率为94.59%,3年存活率为82.88%;预后不良组
中供者呈KIR-AB基因型的比例显著高于预后良好组（57.89% vs 29.63%,χ2=8.19,P<0.05）,供、受者均为KIR-AB型的比例亦显
著高于预后良好组（36.84% vs 9.78%,χ2=14.87,P<0.05）。结论KIR3DS1可能与尿毒症具有易感关联。供者或受者任何一方
为KIR-AB型可能与增加移植后AR发生率和降低人/肾的1年和3年生存率相关。避免选择KIR-AB型供体将有益于改善肾移
植的近远期效果,这一发现将对活体肾脏捐献的选择具有重要的医学伦理意义。
     

湖南汉族1型糖尿病患者杀伤细胞免疫球蛋白样受体及其配体基因多态性

目的 探讨杀伤细胞免疫球蛋白样受体(KIR)基因和KIR配体人类白细胞抗原-C(HLA-C)基因的多态性与1型糖尿病(T1DM)的关系.方法 采用聚合酶链反应-序列特异性引物技术(PCR-SSP),对湖南汉族180例T1DM患者和199例正常对照者KIR基因、HLA-C基因进行检测和分析.结果 (1)与正常对照相比,T1DM组KIR 2DL1(98.9%比92.O%,OR=7.78,P=0.002)、3DL1(94.3%比86.4%,OR=2.67,P=0.009)和2DS4(83.9%比70.9%,OR=2.14,P=O.003)基因频率增高;(2) T1DM组和正常对照组HLA-C(HLA-C1、HLA-C2)基因频率差异无统计学意义,但T1DM组HLA C1+/C2+(3.9%比9.6%,OR=0.38,P=0.03)基因频率降低;(3)与正常对照组相比,T1DM组KIB/HLA-C基因组合中KIR 2DLI-/HLA-C2-(0.6%比6.0%,OR=0.087,P=0.003)和KIR 2DS1-/HLA-C2-(53.3%比64.8%,OR=0.62,P=0.023)基因频率降低.结论 KIR基因多态性和KIR/HLA-C基因组合与T1DM发病相关.     

中国汉族人群中KIR分布规律及其在HLA相合亲缘造血干细胞移植中的作用

目的探讨杀伤细胞免疫球蛋白样受体（KIR）在中国汉族人群中的分布规律及其对人类白细胞抗原（HLA）相合亲缘移植预后的影响。方法采用PCR序列特异性引物（SSP）分型技术检测HLA及KIR基因型。检测了150例汉族人群中KIR的基因型分布、74例异基因造血干细胞移植供受者对KIR及HLA基因型,并对45例接受HLA相合亲缘移植、非去除T细胞异基因造血干细胞移植（allo—HSCT）的恶性血液病患者病例资料进行回顾性分析。结果KIR2DL1的基因分布频率为100％,KIR2DL2为20％,KIR2DL3为100％,KIR3DL1为95％。96％的供者携带与allo-HSCT关系密切的3组KIR受体。45例HLA相合亲缘供者中,36例患者KIR不合,占总人数的80％,其中35例患者KIR2DL1不合,1例KIR2DL2／2DL3不合,31例KIR3DL1不合。HLA相合亲缘供者移植患者中KIR2DL1不合组的急性移植物抗宿主细胞病（aGVHD）发生率（31％）明显低于KIR相合组（70％）,差异有统计学意义（P=0．029）。急性髓性白血病中KIR及KIR2DL1不合组的aGVHD发生率（18％）明显低于KIR相合组（75％）,差异有统计学意义（P=0．03）,淋巴系统疾病中差异无统计学意义。结论绝大多数中国北方汉族人群携带与allo—HSCT关系密切的3组KIR受体,HLA相合亲缘供者HSCT后供受者间KIR不合组aGVHD发生率明显下降。     

KIR/HLA受配体模式及抑制性KIR的表达对单倍体造血干细胞移植的影响

目的探讨杀伤细胞免疫球蛋白样受体/人类白细胞抗原（KIR/HLA）受配体模式及移植后抑制性杀伤免疫球蛋白类受体（iKIR）的表达对单倍体造血干细胞移植预后的影响。方法采用序列特异性引物聚合酶链反应（SSP-PCR）方法,对14对HLA半相合供/受者移植前进行KIR与HLA分型,同时分析KIR/HLA的受配体模式,用四色流式细胞技术对其中8例患者在移植后检测CD158a（KIR2DL1）、CD158b（KIR2DL2）、CD158e（KIR3DL1）的表达。结果 3例受者表达供者所有iKIR相应配体HLA-C2、C1、Bw4,此3对供受者即为KIR配体相合组;另外11对存在KIR配体缺失的供受者则为KIR配体迷失组。KIR配体迷失组患者移植后中性粒细胞及血小板重建时间较KIR配体相合组均较晚,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。KIR配体迷失组患者移植后2年持续缓解率和2年总生存率高于KIR配体相合组,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。移植后监测iKIR发现受者均表达供者型iKIR,4例患者复发时监测NK细胞及iKIR表达明显降低。结论在HLA半相合造血干细胞移植中,移植后动态监测iKIR的表达可预示复发,KIR/HLA受配体错配可能有助于提高移植后缓解率和总生存率。     

高敏受者肾移植术前行血浆置换的临床探讨

目的 :探讨高敏受者肾移植术前行血浆置换 (PE)的效果。方法 :12例高敏受者在肾移植术前进行PE治疗 ,37例高敏受者未行PE治疗 ,观察两组肾移植病人排斥反应发生率的差异。结果 :PE组置换前PRA值71.0 %± 19.1% ,置换后 34.3%± 17.9% ,两者有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。术后发生超排 2例 ,急性排斥 2例 ;未行PE组发生超排 2例 ,急性排斥 8例 ,两组间超排和急性排斥的发生率均无显著性差异。结论 :PE对预防超排和降低急性排斥的发生率均无明显作用。PE治疗的主要适应症为PRA大于 80 %的受者 ,能快速降低PRA值 ,有助于HLA抗体特异性分析和HLA配型。     

无关供者造血干细胞移植中活化型KIR的作用

目的探讨杀伤细胞免疫球蛋白样受体（killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor,KIR）在无关供者中的分布及对无关供者造血干细胞移植预后的影响。方法采用序列特异性引物PCR（PCR-SSP）分型技术检测HLA及KIR基因型。检测了30例无关供者中KIR的基因型分布、30例无关供者造血干细胞移植供受者对KIR及HLA基因型,并对15例接受HLA相合、非去除T细胞无关供者造血干细胞移植（HSCT）的恶性血液病患者病例资料进行回顾性分析。结果检测的30例HLA相合无关供者造血干细胞移植中,24例患者KIR2DL1不合,2例KIR2DL2/2DL3不合,12例KIR3DL1不合,共计28例患者KIR不合。无关供者造血干细胞移植中,5个活化型KIR阳性组生存时间明显延长。结论绝大多数无关供者携带与无关供者造血干细胞移植关系密切的三组KIR,无关供者造血干细胞移植中5个活化型KIR阳性组生存时间明显延长。     

人类白细胞抗原G及其受体在肾移植术后监测的临床意义

目的 探讨人类白细胞抗原G(HLA-G)作为判断肾移植预后的生物标记物的价值并分析HLA-G受体的表达与HLA-G作用机制的相关性.方法 选取2006年2月至2008年6月解放军第三○九医院全军器官移植中心施行初次肾移植受者215例,根据术后临床状况分为肾功稳定组(n=173)和急性排斥组(n=42),采集外周血用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测可溶性人类白细胞抗原G5(sHLA-G5)表达含量,流式细胞术分析HLA-G受体免疫球蛋白样受体2(ILT-2)在T、B淋巴细胞的表达及杀伤细胞免疫球蛋白样受体(KIR)2DL4在自然杀伤(NK)细胞的表达.采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线运算sHLA-G5阈值,预测肾移植术后排斥反应.运用回归分析验证sHLA-G5与急性排斥反应发生的相关性.结果 sHLA-G5水平预测急性排斥反应组的最适域值为139.0μg/L,其敏感度为63.6%,特异度为82.1%,曲线下面积(AUC)为0.780.二元Logistic回归分析显示sHLA-G5是肾移植术后急性排斥反应发生的独立影响因素(P=0.019,OR=0.039,95%可信区间为2.091～5.661).急性排斥组CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞、B细胞表面的ILT-2表达均低于肾功稳定组(21%±7%比52%±17%,23%±6%比39%±16%,21%±7%比39%±16%,均P＜0.05).急性排斥组NK细胞表面的KIR2DLA表达也低于肾功稳定组(31%±10%比57%±21%,P＜0.05).结论 sHLA-G5表达水平对预测肾移植术后排斥反应具有较高的敏感度和特异度,HLA-G诱导免疫耐受的机制可能与淋巴细胞表面ILT-2、KIR2DLA的高表达密切相关.     

受者外周血淋巴细胞黏附分子基因表达对肾移植急性排斥反应的预测作用

目的 探讨肾移植受者外周血淋巴细胞LFA-1、ICAM-1基因表达水平对术后急性排斥反应的预测作用.方法 (1)在取肾同时取供体脾脏,并制成脾细胞悬液.在术前及术后第4天分别抽取受者外周静脉血,并分离出淋巴细胞.同时跟踪调查受者术后1个月内急性排斥反应的发生情况.(2)以供者及无关者脾细胞为刺激细胞,受者淋巴细胞为反应细胞,做混合淋巴细胞培养.采用MTT法测定供者及无关者脾细胞刺激受者淋巴细胞增殖的刺激指数.采用半定量RT-PCR方法测定在供体脾细胞、无关者脾细胞刺激及未刺激时,受者淋巴细胞LFA-1、ICAM-1基因表达水平.结果 (1)本组研究了35例能够获取外周血淋巴细胞及供体脾细胞的患者,术后1个月内发生过急性排斥反应10例,未发生急性排斥反应25例,急性排斥反应发生率28.6%.(2)术前及术后第4天时,供体及无关者脾细胞刺激受者淋巴细胞增殖的刺激指数在发生急性排斥反应与未发生急性排斥反应受者之间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).术后第4天,正常组淋巴细胞对供体脾细胞反应的刺激指数术后较术前的下降值明显高于排斥组,二者之间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);而正常组和排斥组淋巴细胞对无关者脾细胞反应的刺激指数术后较术前的下降值差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).(3)术前及术后4d,未刺激时,受者淋巴细胞LFA-1、ICAM-1基因表达水平在发生急性排斥反应与未发生急性排斥反应受者之间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);术前及术后4d,无关者脾细胞对受者淋巴细胞刺激时,受者淋巴细胞LFA-1、ICAM-1基因表达水平在发生急性排斥反应与未发生急性排斥反应受者之间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);术前及术后4d,供者脾细胞对受者淋巴细胞刺激时,受者淋巴细胞LFA-1、ICAM-1基因表达水平在发生急性排斥反应与未发生急性排斥反应的受者之间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 (1)术前、术后受者淋巴细胞对供体特异抗原及无关者抗原反应的刺激指数,对术后急性排斥反应发生无预测作用;而术后,受者淋巴细胞对供体抗原反应的刺激指数较术前的下降值可能有一定的预测作用.(2)术前、术后在无关者抗原刺激及无抗原刺激时,肾移植受者外周血淋巴细胞LFA-1、ICAM-1基因表达水平对术后急性排斥反应发生无预测作用.(3)术前、术后在供体特异抗原刺激时,肾移植受者外周血淋巴细胞LFA-1、ICAM-1基因表达水平对术后急性排斥反应发生有明显预测作用.     

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.     

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.     

Scientific principles and rigorous processes should be followed in developing clinical guidelines for therapeutic interventions of integrative medicine

A clinical guideline for the therapeutic interventions of integrative medicine may be defined as a written document which states a series of recommendations on therapeutic interventions of integrative medicine for a special disease or condition. The guideline may provide assistance to medical professionals in making clinical decisions aimed at improving the clinical outcome of patients and reducing the costs of medical care（~＇4~. Recommendations issued by a guideline should be based on the best available evidence in both Western and Chinese medicine. For fulfilling this purpose, the development of clinical guidelines for therapeutic interventions in the field of integrative medicine should follow scientific principles and undergo a rigorous processes.