腰椎终板Modic改变与椎间盘退变对应关系及二者与下腰痛关系的分析

目的：研究腰椎终板Modic改变类型与椎间盘退变的关系及二者与下腰痛（low back pain,LBP）的关系。方法：选取2016年10—12月间行腰椎MRI检查且合并Modic改变的患者200例。Pfirrmann分级评估腰椎间盘退变。通过电话随访,采用VAS法评估LBP。统计Modic改变及邻近椎间盘退变在下腰段（L4/5及L5/S1水平）的分布情况及关系,及二者与LBP的关系。结果：Modic Ⅱ型与Ⅱ?Ⅰ型均与轻度椎间盘退变相关（P < 0.05）。Modic Ⅰ?Ⅱ型与轻度及严重椎间盘均相关（P < 0.05）,而Modic Ⅰ型与严重椎间盘退变相关（P < 0.05）。Modic Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型及Ⅰ?Ⅱ型与LBP相关（P < 0.05）。多因素分析后,严重椎间盘退变（4级）与LBP相关性消失（P > 0.05）。结论：退变程度较高的腰椎间盘易合并Modic Ⅰ型,Modic Ⅱ型更常见于退变程度较低的腰椎间盘;退变初始阶段,Modic Ⅱ型可能向Ⅰ型转换。虽然Modic改变与腰椎间盘退变均与LBP相关,Modic改变的影响可能更直接,而腰椎间盘退变通过Modic改变间接产生影响,因此较弱。     

腰椎间盘突出症中医辨证分型与MRI Pfirrmann标准分级对照研究

目的探讨腰椎间盘突出症(LIDP)中医辨证分型与磁共振Pfirrmann标准分级的相关性。方法对120例LIDP患者进行中医辨证分型和1.5T常规腰椎MRI检查,对扫描的600个腰椎间盘行Pfirrmann腰椎间盘退变分级,并采用Kendall等级相关检验评估LIDP中医辨证分型与椎间盘Pfirrmann标准分级的相关性。结果 Kendall等级相关检验显示LIDP中医辨证分型与Pfirrmann标准分级呈正相关(H=315.27,P0.01)。LIDP中医证型的不同也对应着不同程度的腰椎间盘退变:PfriimannⅠ级诊断接近于气滞血瘀证椎间盘退变程度,PfriimannⅡ-Ⅲ级诊断接近于湿热痰滞证和风寒湿滞证椎间盘退变程度,PfriimannⅣ-Ⅴ级诊断接近于肝肾亏虚证椎间盘退变程度。结论在某种程度上,Pfirrmann标准分级对应着LIDP中医辨证分型,两者结合可进一步指导LIDP中医辨证施治,并且使LIDP中医辨证施治有了可量化的理论依据。     

腰椎滑脱椎体终板Modic改变的分布情况及影响因素

目的：探讨腰椎滑脱椎体终板Modic改变分布及影响因素。方法：取近3年在我院治疗的腰椎滑脱症患者100例,比较腰椎滑脱椎体终板Modic改变分布及影响因素。结果：滑脱节段Modic改变发生率显著高于非滑脱节段;退变性滑脱多见Medic2型;峡部断裂性滑脱多见Modic3型。腰椎滑脱椎体终板Modic改变与椎体终板滑脱程度、椎间盘退变情况、劳动严重度等相关。结论：在退变性滑脱中多见Modic改变Ⅱ型,在峡部裂性滑脱中多见Modie改变Ⅲ型;腰椎滑脱椎体终板Modic的改变与多因素相关。     

腰椎退行性疾病手术患者椎间盘退变及责任间隙分布情况研究

背景　椎间盘退变是一系列腰椎退行性疾病的始动因素,既往研究多集中于腰椎间盘退变的流行病学及影像学研究方面,而关于严重腰腿痛的腰椎退行性疾病患者需手术干预的研究少见,其椎间盘退变分布规律并不明确,而责任间隙（手术节段）退变分布情况鲜有报道。目的　分析腰椎退行性疾病手术患者椎间盘退变及责任间隙分布规律。方法　选择2012年1月-2016年2月于中国人民解放军第960医院行腰椎正侧位、过伸过屈位X线和腰椎矢状位MRI检查并确诊为腰椎退行性疾病患者503例,分析腰椎间盘退变及责任间隙分布特点〔包括腰椎失稳、Modic改变、高信号区域（HIZ）、许莫结节（SN）〕;椎间盘退变分级采用Pfirrmann分级标准,Ⅰ、Ⅱ级为正常椎间盘,Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ级为退变椎间盘（其中Ⅳ级、Ⅴ级为严重退变）;多间隙椎间盘退变采用自定义W分级标准,即两个及以上节段椎间盘退变程度。结果　503例患者共2 515个腰椎间盘,退变率为74.08%（1 863/2 515）,严重退变率36.46%（917/2 515）。上腰椎椎间盘（L1~2、L2~3）退变率为56.96%（573/1 006）,严重退变率为34.55%（198/573）;下腰椎椎间盘（L3~4、L4~5、L5~S1）退变率为85.49%（1 290/1 509）,严重退变率为55.74%（719/1 290）。下腰椎椎间盘退变率、严重退变率均高于上腰椎（P<0.05）。≥40岁女性腰椎间盘退变率高于男性（P<0.05）。<40岁男性腰椎失稳发生率与女性比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;而Modic改变、HIZ、SN发生率两性别间比较,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。≥40岁女性腰椎失稳发生率高于男性（P<0.05）;而Modic改变、HIZ、SN发生率两性别间比较,差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。≥40岁男性Modic改变、HIZ与女性腰椎失稳、HIZ、SN与<40岁者发生率比较,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。腰椎失稳、Modic改变、SN和HIZ腰椎退变节段分布情况比较,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.01）。手术节段单间隙381例,两间隙102例,三间隙14例,四间隙4例,五间隙2例;责任间隙椎间盘退变率为99.01%（498/503）,严重退变率为62.82%（316/503）。结论　腰椎退行性疾病手术患者的椎间盘退变率较高,且女性较高,下腰椎椎间盘高于上腰椎椎间盘,女性腰椎失稳、Modic改变发生率均高于男性,SN发生率低于男性,40岁是男性Modic改变及HIZ发生的转折点,也是女性腰椎失稳、HIZ、SN发生的转折点。责任间隙椎间盘大部分发生退变,且严重退变率较高。     

退变腰椎终板MRI表现与其TNF-α的表达及临床疗效的相关性研究

目的 探讨退变腰椎终板MRI表现与其TNF-α表达及临床治疗效果是否具有相关性.方法 选取因腰椎退变行椎体间融合术的19例患者,其中MRI检查无改变者7例,ModicⅠ型6例,ModicⅡ型6例.退变终板先行HE染色,光镜下观察软骨形态学变化以确定实验标本,然后用免疫组织化学法检测标本中TNF-α的含量,临床疗效依据手术前后Oswestry功能障碍指数评定.结果 在出现Modic改变的腰椎终板中,TNF-α表达比无Modic改变者明显升高(P<0.05),ModicⅠ型TNF-α表达明显高于ModicⅡ型(P<0.05).ModicⅠ型Oswestry功能障碍指数改善55.28%,ModicⅡ型改善34.27%,无Modic改变者改善48.13%.ModicⅠ型手术效果优于ModicⅡ型.结论 退变腰椎终板的MRI改变与TNF-α表达有关,终板中TNF-α的异常表达可能是下腰痛的原因之一,临床疗效与Modic分型有关.     

动态MRI评价下腰痛患者腰椎终板退变与节段活动度的关系

目的 探讨下腰痛患者的腰椎终板矢状位形态重塑、Modic改变及腰椎间盘退变与腰椎节段活动度的关系.方法 回顾性分析420例(男249例,女171例)下腰痛患者共2 100个腰椎节段,采用动态MRI技术在患者中立及过屈、过伸3个体位成像,统计各节段的椎间位移和椎间角度变化,分析腰椎终板矢状位形态(凹陷型、平坦型和不规则型),Modic改变(0～3型),椎间盘退变(Ⅰ～Ⅴ级)与腰椎节段活动度的相关性.结果 腰椎终板凹陷型(63.24％)、2型Modic改变(71.79％)和Ⅱ级椎间盘退变(40.33％)最常见;1～3型Modic改变在不规则型、平坦型和凹陷型腰椎终板中的发生率依次减少,而椎间盘退变程度在凹陷型、平坦型和不规则型腰椎终板中依次加重,同样椎间盘退变程度随着腰椎终板0～3型Modic改变亦逐渐加重;腰椎椎间位移在不规则型、平坦型和凹陷型腰椎终板节段中依次增加,而椎间角度变化相反,在不规则型腰椎终板节段中最大,在凹陷型腰椎终板节段中最小;腰椎终板2型Modic改变节段椎间位移最大,而椎间角度变化在Modic改变各型中依次增加.结论 腰椎终板重塑与Modic改变可能参与机体对抗节段过度活动的调节机制,与腰椎节段活动度密切相关.     

磁共振T2WI直方图在腰椎间盘退变中的应用价值研究

目的:探讨磁共振T2WI直方图在定量评价腰椎间盘退变中的价值。方法:43例患者进行腰椎1.5T常规MRI T2WI检查,对椎间盘进行Pfirrmann分级,采用软件测量髓核T2WI信号强度(signal intensity, SI)直方图参数(平均值、标准差、偏度、峰度)。结果:椎间盘髓核T2WI SI平均值、标准差及偏度与Pfirrmann分级分别呈高度负相关(r=-0.83,P<0.01)、中度负相关(r=-0.66,P<0.01)及中度正相关(r=0.69,P<0.01)。平均值、标准差在Ⅳ级与Ⅴ级间无统计学差异(P>0.5),在其余各级间均有统计学差异(P<0.01);偏度在所有各级间均存在统计学差异(P<0.01);峰度在Ⅰ～Ⅲ级间均无统计学差异,在其余各级间均存在统计学差异(P<0.01)。Ⅰ～Ⅲ级椎间盘T2WI SI直方图为负偏态分布,高峰平缓;Ⅳ～Ⅴ级椎间盘为正偏态分布,高峰陡峭。对于鉴别Ⅰ级与Ⅱ级、Ⅱ级与Ⅲ级椎间盘,平均值、标准差及偏度ROC曲线均具有中等效能(P<0.01);对于鉴别Ⅲ级与Ⅳ级,平均值曲线效能最佳(P<0.01),峰度效能中等(P<0.01);对于鉴别Ⅳ级与Ⅴ椎间盘,偏度及峰度均具有中等效能(P均<0.01)。结论:磁共振T2WI信号直方图具有定量评价腰椎间盘退变的可行性,具有一定的临床参考价值。     

不同滑脱程度退变性腰椎滑脱椎间盘形态改变及意义

目的:观察不同滑脱程度的退变性腰椎滑脱的椎间盘影像学特点,探讨椎间盘退变程度、椎间隙角度及椎间隙高度与不同程度退变性腰椎滑脱的关系.方法:回顾性分析了2009年10月至2011年11月北京市石景山医院和北京大学第三医院L4/5退变性腰椎滑脱患者51例,Ⅰ度退变性腰椎滑脱35例为试验1组,Ⅱ度退变性腰椎滑脱16例为试验2组;对L4/5椎间盘退变程度按照Pfirrmann法分级,CT测定L4/5椎间盘正中矢状面的椎间隙角度和椎间隙高度,对所得数据进行统计学分析.结果:实验1组L4/5椎间盘MRI退变程度B、C、D、E级分别为0、23、11及1例,试验2组分别为2、10、3及1例,两组椎间盘退变程度间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);CT测量L4/5椎间隙角度实验1组和试验2组分别为(3.49±1.91)°和(2.14±1.38)°,实验1组椎间隙角度明显大于实验2组(P＜0.05);椎间隙高度实验1组和试验2组分别为(8.57±1.80) mm和(7.40±1.54)mm,两组间比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:椎间隙角度减小和椎间隙高度丢失严重程度,可能是导致退变性腰椎滑脱出现不同滑脱程度的重要因素之一.     

髓核间充质干细胞生物学特性与椎间盘Pfirrmann分级相关性研究

目的研究不同Pfirrmann分级椎间盘中髓核间充质干细胞(human nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells,hNP-MSCs)的生物学特性,进一步明确hNP-MSCs在椎间盘退变(intervertebral disc degeneration,IVDD)中的作用及其相关性。方法选取2017年1月～2019年1月我院椎间盘髓核摘除术的患者,根据术前MRI按Pfirrmann分级标准(Ⅰ～Ⅴ级)分为5组,各组均为3例,共15例,评价hNP-MSCs在不同椎间盘退变中的生物学特性差异及其与椎间盘退变程度的相关性。结果 PfirrmannⅠ～Ⅴ级5组共15例标本均分离获取到了hNP-MSCs原代细胞,贴壁时间及80%～90%融合率时间差异有统计学意义(P0.05),Pfirrmann分级越高,细胞生长所需时间越长,细胞形态及增殖集落越不均一。酶标仪检测不同Pfirrmann分级的5组h NP-MSCs标本接种后第1、3天,不同组hNP-MSCs标本OD值差异无统计学意义(P0.05),第5、7、9、11、13天,不同组hNP-MSCs标本OD值差异有统计学意义(P0.05),Pfirrmann分级超高,OD值越低,提示增殖能力与Pfirrmann分级呈负相关性。不同Pfirrmann分级的5组h NP-MSCs标本P2代细胞流式细胞仪检测结果显示均为高表达CD44、CD73、CD90、CD105,低表达CD31、CD34、CD45,各组CD44、CD73、CD90、CD105阳性表达率差异有统计学意义(P0.05),且随Pfirrmann分级的增加,阳性表达率下降,呈负相关性。结论 hNP-MSCs的生物学特性与椎间盘Pfirrmann分级密切相关,椎间盘退变程度越重,hNP-MSCs的生物学表现越差。     

无症状成人腰椎间盘退变磁化传递率与椎间盘退变分级的相关性研究

目的 探讨无症状成人腰椎间盘髓核的磁化传递率(magnetization transfer ratio, MTR)与椎间盘退变分级的相关性。方法 对290例无症状志愿者进行腰椎间盘MRI矢状位常规序列及SPGR磁化传递(magnetization transfer, MT)脉冲序列扫描,通过Pfirrmann分级评价椎间盘退变情况,测量不同Pfirrmann分级、椎间盘节段及各年龄分组的髓核MTR值。分析髓核MTR值与Pfirrmann分级、年龄、BMI、椎间盘节段的相关性及髓核MTR值的性别差异。结果 髓核MTR值与Pfirrmann分级呈中度正相关(r=0.503,P=0.000);生理性退变的椎间盘(Pfirrmann Ⅰ～Ⅱ级)和退变椎间盘(Pfirrmann Ⅲ～Ⅴ级)的髓核MTR值比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.000),ROC曲线的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.820,髓核MTR的界值为26.75%,其评价退变椎间盘的敏感度为0.786,特异性为0.724。腰椎间盘髓核MTR值具有性别差异(P=0.000),男性、女性的髓核MTR值均与年龄呈正相关(r=0.366,P=0.000;r=0.416,P=0.000)。髓核MTR值与BMI、椎间盘节段之间均呈正相关(r=0.206,P=0.000;r=0.233,P=0.000),下位腰椎间盘节段(L4/5、L₅/S₁)的髓核MTR值高于上位椎间盘节段(L1/2、L2/3)(P=0.000)。结论 腰椎间盘髓核的MTR值随着腰椎间盘退变加重而增加,下位腰椎间盘的髓核MTR值高于上位腰椎间盘。腰椎间盘髓核的MTR值随着年龄增长、BMI升高而增加,并且存在性别差异。     

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.