黄芪注射液对大鼠肠缺血再灌注肝损伤NO、SOD的影响

目的　观察黄芪注射液对肠缺血再灌注所致肝损伤后大鼠的一氧化氮 (NO)、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)的影响。方法　Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组、肠缺血再灌注组、黄芪小剂量组、黄芪大剂量组。夹闭肠系膜上动脉 1h ,再灌注 3h后分别测定各组血清、肝组织NO和SOD活性。结果　大鼠肠缺血 1h再灌注 3h后血清、肝组织NO含量明显升高 ,SOD活性明显降低。不同剂量的黄芪注射液能使肠缺血再灌注肝损伤大鼠血清、肝组织的NO含量明显降低 ,SOD活性明显升高。结论　黄芪通过提高SOD活性 ,降低NO含量从而抑制脂质过氧化损伤 ,对大鼠肠缺血再灌注肝损伤有保护作用。     

缺血后处理在肾缺血再灌注损伤时对HO-1/CO与iNOS/NO系统的影响

目的:研究缺血后处理在肾缺血再灌注损伤时对HO-1/CO与iNOS/NO系统的影响.方法:SD大鼠36只,随机分为3组(n=12):Ⅰ组为假手术组;Ⅱ组为对照组,双侧肾缺血45 min建立缺血/再灌注模型;Ⅲ组为实验组,双侧肾缺血45 min后行缺血后处理.观察再灌注24 h后肾组织中HO-1和iNOS的表达,血清丙二醛(MDA)的浓度、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、NO及动脉血中一氧化碳血红蛋白(HbCO)的含量,并进行肾组织光镜病理形态学观察.结果:与Ⅰ组比较,Ⅱ组HO-1和iNOS表达显著增强(P<0.05);与Ⅱ组比较,Ⅲ组HO-1的表达明显增强而iNOS表达显著减弱(P<0.05),血清SOD活性及HbCO升高,N0、MDA降低(P<0.05或P<0.01).Ⅲ组病理改变明显轻于Ⅱ组.结论:缺血后处理对肾缺血再灌注的保护通过上调HO-1/CO与抑制iNOS/NO而发挥作用.     

高氧液联合缺血后处理对家兔肠缺血再灌注致肝损伤的保护作用

目的探讨高氧液联合缺血后处理对家兔肠缺血再灌注所致肝损伤的保护作用。方法将家兔48只随机分为假手术组(SO组)、缺血再灌注组(IR组)、高氧液组(HO组)和高氧液缺血后处理组(HI组),每组12只。SO组家兔仅手术显露肠系膜上动脉(SMA);IR组家兔阻断SMA 60 min,再灌注120 min;HO组家兔在阻断SMA 60 min和再灌注120 min过程中静脉输入高氧液;HI组家兔于阻断SMA 60 min后,再灌注开始时静脉输入高氧液,同时进行3个循环的30 s再灌注/30 s阻断的缺血后处理。再灌注120 min后采集各组家兔动脉血、静脉血及部分小肠、肝组织,检测肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素(IL)-10、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)及内毒素水平,测定血清及小肠、肝组织内丙二醛(MDA)含量及髓过氧化物酶(MPO)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,Chiu 6级评分法观察肠黏膜损伤情况,细菌培养观察细菌移位率,免疫组织化学观察肝组织中核因子κB(NF-κB)p65的表达。结果 IR组家兔血清中TNF-α、IL-10、内毒素水平显著高于SO组(P<0.01);HO组和HI组家兔血清中TNF-α、内毒素水平显著低于IR组(P<0.05);HI组家兔血清中TNF-α、内毒素水平显著低于HO组(P<0.05,P<0.01)。HO组和HI组家兔血清中IL-10水平显著高于IR组(P<0.01),HO组和HI组家兔血清中IL-10水平比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。IR组家兔血清中MPO活性和MDA水平显著高于SO组(P<0.01),HO组和HI组家兔血清中MPO活性和MDA水平显著低于IR组(P<0.01);HI组家兔血清中MPO活性和MDA水平显著低于HO组(P<0.05,P<0.01)。IR组家兔血清中SOD活性显著低于SO组(P<0.01),HO组和HI组家兔血清中SOD活性显著高于IR组(P<0.01),且HI组家兔血清中SOD活性显著高于HO组(P<0.01)。IR组、HO组和HI组家兔肠黏膜损伤评分显著高于SO组(P<0.01),HO组和HI组家兔肠黏膜损伤评分显著低于IR组(P<0.01),HI组家兔肠黏膜损伤评分显著低于HO组(P<0.05)。IR组家兔小肠黏膜组织中MPO活性和MDA水平显著高于SO组(P<0.01);HO组和HI组家兔小肠黏膜组织中MPO活性和MDA水平显著低于IR组(P<0.01);HI组家兔小肠黏膜组织中MPO活性和MDA水平显著低于HO组(P<0.05)。IR组家兔小肠黏膜组织中SOD活性显著低于SO组(P<0.01);HO组、HI组血清SOD活性仍显著高于IR组(P<0.01);HI组家兔小肠黏膜组织中SOD活性显著高于HO组(P<0.05)。SO组家兔肝组织均无细菌移位,IR组家兔肝脏细菌移位率100.0%,HO和HI组家兔肝脏细菌移位率均为83.3%,HO和HI组家兔肝脏细菌移位率与IR组比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。IR组、HO组、HI组家兔肝组织内NF-κB p65阳性表达显著高于SO组(P<0.01),HO组和HI组家兔肝组织内NF-κB p65阳性表达显著低于IR组(P<0.01),HI组家兔肝组织内NF-κB p65阳性表达显著低于HO组(P<0.05)。IR组家兔肝组织中MPO活性及MDA、ALT、AST水平显著高于SO组(P<0.01);HO组和HI组家兔肝组织中MPO活性及MDA、ALT、AST水平仍显著低于IR组(P<0.01);HI组家兔肝组织中MPO活性及MDA、ALT、AST水平显著低于HO组(P<0.05)。IR组家兔肝组织中SOD活性显著低于SO组(P<0.01),HO组和HI组家兔肝组织中SOD活性显著高于IR组(P<0.01);HI组家兔肝组织中SOD活性显著高于HO组(P<0.05)。结论高氧液联合缺血后处理可以减轻肠缺血再灌注引起的肝损伤。     

壳寡糖对大鼠肠缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的探讨壳寡糖对大鼠肠缺血再灌注(I/R)损伤肠黏膜屏障功能的保护作用及其可能的作用机制。方法采用夹闭肠系膜上动脉(SMA)的方法制作轻度和重度肠缺血再灌注损伤模型。将40只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为5组,分别为假手术组、重度缺血再灌注组、轻度缺血再灌注组、壳寡糖对轻度及重度缺血再灌注干预组。再灌注后用Ch iu氏评分法观察肠黏膜的损伤情况,检测血清二胺氧化酶(DAO)与小肠组织髓过氧化物酶(MPO)、丙二醛(MDA)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平以及小肠黏膜组织的SIgA水平。结果小肠缺血再灌注后,肠黏膜形态学损伤明显,血清中反应肠损伤的DAO以及肠组织匀浆中MDA及MPO含量明显升高,SOD活性明显降低,肠黏膜组织的SIgA水平明显下降,运用壳寡糖预处理的轻度及重度I/R组以上变化均较相同I/R时间模型组减轻。结论壳寡糖对大鼠轻度和重度肠缺血再灌注损伤后的肠黏膜屏障有保护作用,该保护作用可能与清除氧自由基、减少中性粒细胞聚集与活化以及增强大鼠肠黏膜免疫屏障功能有关。     

促红细胞生成素联合缺血预处理对肾缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的:评价促红细胞生成素(EPO)联合缺血预处理对大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤的影响。方法:健康SD雄性大鼠30只,200-220g,随机分为5组(n=6):假手术组(S组)、缺血再灌注组(I/R组)、缺血预处理组(IP组)、促红细胞生成素预处理组(EPO组)、缺血预处理联合促红细胞生成素预处理组(IP+EPO组)。各组于术后24h测定血清肌酐(Cr)和尿素氮(BUN)水平;测定肾组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量及髓过氧化物酶(MPO)活性;观察肾组织病理学结果;检测肾小管上皮细胞凋亡情况。结果:与I/R组比较,IP组、EPO组、IPC+EPO组血清中Cr和BUN浓度,组织MDA含量及MPO活性降低,组织SOD活性升高,细胞凋亡减少(P<0.05),病理损伤减轻。与IP组和EPO组比较,IP+EPO组血清Cr和BUN的浓度降低,肾组织SOD活性升高,MDA含量与凋亡指数降低(P<0.05),病理损伤减轻。对于MPO含量,IP+EPO组相比较IP组有统计学意义,而相比较EPO组无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:缺血预处理联合促红细胞生成素预处理可以进一步加强大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤后肾功能的保护,其机制可能是联合处理在抗氧化损伤、抗细胞凋亡方面发挥了叠加效应。     

番茄红素对大鼠肠缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨番茄红素对肠缺血再灌注大鼠肠黏膜的保护作用及机制.方法 健康清洁级SD大鼠48只按随机数字表法分为番茄红素组、缺血再灌注组、假手术组,每组16只.番茄红素组予以番茄红素10 mg/kg连续灌胃5d,缺血再灌注组和假手术组灌胃相同剂量生理盐水.各组大鼠分离肠系膜上动脉,番茄红素组和缺血再灌注组以血管夹夹闭肠系膜上动脉1h,再灌注4h后,各组大鼠采集腹主动脉血和回肠标本,测定血清超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)、二胺氧化酶(diamine oxidase,DAO)活性和丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量,小肠组织髓过氧化物酶(myeloperoxidase,MPO)活性及肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factor-alpha,TNF-α)与白细胞介素6(interleukin-6,IL-6)的含量,以及小肠组织病理学Chiu's评分.结果 番茄红素组小肠组织病理学Chiu's评分明显低于缺血再灌注组(P＜0.01),但与假手术组相比差异仍有统计学意义(P＜0.01).番茄红素组小肠组织TNF-α、IL-6、MPO及血清SOD、DAO和MDA明显优于缺血再灌组(P＜0.01),而小肠组织TNF-α、IL-6、MPO及血清DAO、SOD、MDA与假手术组比较差异仍有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 番茄红素预处理能有效抑制肠缺血再灌注后的氧化应激反应及炎症反应,减轻小肠缺血再灌注损伤.     

川芎嗪对兔心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的 观察川芎嗪对兔心肌缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用.方法 24只家兔随机分为3组:组Ⅰ(假手术组);组Ⅱ缺血再灌注组);组Ⅲ(川芎嗪组).观察在急性心肌缺血再灌注状态下血浆及心肌组织中磷酸肌酸激酶(CPK)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、过氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化.结果 缺血及再灌注后,组Ⅱ血浆CPK、LDH活性、MDA含量进行性升高,SOD活性进行性下降;再灌注后组Ⅲ血浆LDH活性低于组Ⅱ.组Ⅱ各项指标在缺血区和非缺血区均有显著差异;与组Ⅱ相比,组Ⅲ缺血区心肌组织CPK、SOD活性升高,MDA含量降低.结论 川芎嗪对心肌缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用.     

依达拉奉对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤保护作用的实验研究

目的:探讨依达拉奉对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其可能作用机制.方法:建立大鼠70%的肝脏缺血再灌注模型,将24只SD雄性健康大鼠随机分成3组(n=8):空白对照组(S组),缺血再灌注组(IR组)和依达拉奉干预组(ED组).再灌注2 h后检测血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)水平以及肝脏组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、髓过氧化物酶(MPO)的活性及丙二醛(MDA)的含量,并用免疫组化方法和病理切片HE染色方法分别检测肝细胞中的核因子-кB(NF-кB)阳性表达率和肝脏组织的病理改变.结果:肝脏缺血再灌注后,IR组的ALT、AST水平及MDA、MPO、NF-кB阳性表达率明显高于S组(P<0.01),SOD活性明显下降(P<0.01),肝组织病理损伤较S组重,依达拉奉能改善以上情况.结论:依达拉奉对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用,其机制可能通过清除氧自由基,抑制脂质过氧化和抑制NF-кB的活化来实现.     

藻酸双酯钠对大鼠缺血再灌注肾组织一氧化氮、超氧化物歧化酶及丙二醛的影响

目的 探讨藻酸双醇钠在大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤中的保护作用及机制.方法 实验大鼠分正常组,对照组(缺血再灌注组)、药物组(藻酸双酯钠组).建立大鼠急性肾缺血再灌注损伤模型,药物组提前1周用药.分别检测各组肾组织一氧化氮(NO)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)含量.结果 与正常组比较,对照组及药物组NO,MDA显著升高,SOD显著降低(均P<0.05);与对照组相比,药物组NO升高幅度较小、SOD活力显著增强、MDA含量明显降低(分别P<0.01,<0.05,<0.05).结论 藻酸双酯钠可使大鼠缺血再灌注肾组织的NO的变化幅度变小,提高肾组织的抗氧化能力,对缺血再灌注肾组织有一定保护作用.     

促肝细胞生长素对缺血再灌注肾损伤大鼠NOIL—1的影响

目的观察促肝细胞生长素对大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤后血清IL-1β、NO、Scr及肾脏组织病理学的影响。方法雄性Sprague-Dawley大鼠32只,随机分为假手术对照组(Ⅰ组)、缺血再灌注组(Ⅱ组)、缺血再灌注前pHGF干预组(Ⅲ组)和缺血再灌注后pHGF干预组(Ⅳ组)。用无损伤动脉夹钳夹大鼠双侧肾蒂45min制成肾缺血再灌注损伤(renal ischemiareperfusion injury,RIRI)模型。假手术组只暴露双肾,不钳夹肾蒂。Ⅲ组和Ⅳ组分别在术前和术后腹腔注射pHGF 50mg/kg。检测术后12h血清IL-1β、NO和Scr的浓度及病理切片观察肾脏组织病理学改变。结果Ⅰ组血清IL-1β、NO、Scr水平均为最低,Ⅱ组各值均显著升高,两组比较各项均有显著差异(均P<0.01)。Ⅲ组和Ⅳ组各项数值较Ⅱ组均有一定程度的降低,两组分别与Ⅱ组比较均有显著差异(均P<0.01)。但Ⅲ组和Ⅳ组之间比较无显著差异(P>0.05);缺血再灌注12h肾脏病理改变最严重,肾小管损伤程度评分最高,pHGF干预后,肾脏形态学改变明显减轻,肾小管损伤程度评分降低;血清IL-1β和NO水平与肾脏损伤程度呈正相关(均P<0.01)。结论pHGF能抑制肾缺血再灌注损伤大鼠血清IL-1β、NO水平,对IARF在肾脏结构及功能上既有保护作用又有治疗作用。     

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.