miR-503-5p通过靶向调控E2F3对宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖、侵袭、迁移和上皮间质化的影响

  目的  探讨miR-503-5p通过靶向调控E2F3对宫颈癌Hela细胞增殖、侵袭、迁移和上皮间质化的影响。  方法  将宫颈癌HeLa细胞分为对照组、mimic-NC组、miR-503-5p mimic组、E2F3组、mimic+E2F3组,并通过Lipofectamine 2000将质粒分别或者联合转染进入各组HeLa细胞,运用基因预测软件预测靶基因,荧光素实验验证靶向关系,RT-PCR检测miR-503-5p和E2F3的表达,MTT法检测细胞增殖,Western blot检测Ki67、增殖细胞核抗原（proliferating cell nuclear antigen,PCNA）、E-cadherin和N-cadherin的表达,Transwell检测细胞侵袭,划痕实验检测细胞迁移。将裸鼠分为对照组和miR-503-5p mimic组,在裸鼠右后肢腹侧皮下分别注射0.2 mL转染mimic-NC或miR-503-5p mimic的宫颈癌HeLa细胞悬液,第30天颈椎脱位法处死裸鼠,测量肿瘤质量,并用免疫组化方法检测肿瘤组织中Ki67和Vimentin表达情况。  结果  宫颈癌HeLa细胞中miR-503-5p的表达量明显下调,miR-503-5p与E2F3在3′UTR区存在结合位点, miR-503-5p直接靶向作用于E2F3,过表达miR-503-5p抑制E2F3表达; miR-503-5p过表达降低细胞生长速度、Ki67和PCNA表达量,减少侵袭细胞数目,增宽划痕、降低愈合率,上调E-cadherin表达、下调N-cadherin表达（P<0.01）;miR-503-5p过表达减小移植瘤体积、减轻移植瘤重量,减少Ki67和Vimentin的阳性所占比率（P<0.01）。  结论  miR-503-5p通过靶向调控E2F3抑制宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖、侵袭、迁移和上皮间质化。     

miR-495-3p在结直肠癌中的表达及其对结直肠癌细胞恶性生物学行为的影响

目的:检测miR-495-3p在结直肠癌(CRC)组织和细胞中的表达,探讨miR-495-3p对CRC细胞增殖、迁移、凋亡的影响。方法:采用RT-qPCR检测22对CRC及其癌旁组织和CRC细胞以及正常结肠上皮细胞中miR-495-3p的表达,选取其中差异表达最明显的两组细胞株转染miR-495-3p mimic、miR-495-3p inhibitor以及各自对照组。CCK-8和EdU实验检测细胞增殖能力、Transwell检测细胞迁移能力、流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率。结果:CRC组织和细胞中miR-495-3p表达降低(P<0.01)。与对照组相比,转染miR-495-3p mimic后细胞增殖和迁移能力下降(P<0.05),凋亡细胞增多(P<0.05);转染miR-495-3p inhibitor后细胞增殖和迁移能力增加(P<0.05),凋亡细胞减少(P<0.05)。结论:miR-495-3p在CRC组织和细胞中低表达,上调miR-495-3p表达后能降低细胞增殖、迁移能力,增加细胞凋亡率,在CRC中扮演着抑癌基因的作用。     

调控miR-642a-5p表达对宫颈癌HeLa细胞生物学行为的影响及机制研究

目的:探究调控微小RNA(miR)-642a-5p表达对宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖、侵袭和凋亡的影响及机制。方法:通过转染不同质粒将Hela细胞分为miR-642a-5p mimic组、miR-642a-5p mimic NC组,以未做任何处理的Hela细胞作为对照组。RT-qPCR法检测miR-642a-5p、NF-κB mRNA的表达水平,Western blot法检测NF-κB p65蛋白的表达水平,MTT法检测细胞增殖活力,Transwell法检测细胞侵袭、迁移能力,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况。结果:与对照组、miR-642a-5p mimic NC组比较,miR-642a-5p mimic组miR-642a-5p的表达量及细胞凋亡率升高,NF-κB mRNA和NF-κB p65蛋白的表达水平及转染24、48 h的细胞增殖活性、侵袭细胞个数、划痕愈合率降低(均P<0.05);对照组与miR-642a-5p mimic NC组miR-642a-5p、NF-κB mRNA、NF-κB p65蛋白的表达水平及转染24、48 h细胞增殖活性、侵袭细胞个数、划痕愈合率、细胞凋亡率比较,...     

MicroRNA-122-5P通过靶向MMP-9抑制TPA诱导的SW480细胞侵袭迁移能力

目的:研究miR-122-5p对TPA诱导人结直肠癌SW480细胞MMP-9表达及侵袭迁移的影响。方法:利用生物信息学筛选结直肠癌差异基因，预测其靶基因miRNA。用TPA(100nM)处理SW480细胞，通过RT-qPCR、Western blot法检测基因和蛋白表达水平；明胶酶谱法检测MMP-9细胞外分泌情况；Transwell检测细胞侵袭和迁移能力。结果:MMP-9在结肠癌组织中高表达，筛选出上游靶基因miR-122-5P;TPA诱导MMP-9 mRNA表达呈时间依赖性上调(P<0.01),诱导miR-122-5p的表达下调(P<0.01);过表达miR-122-5p明显下调TPA诱导的MMP-9 mRNA和蛋白表达(P<0.05),且MMP-9胞外分泌减少，细胞的侵袭、迁移能力显著下降(P<0.01)。结论:miR-122-5p可能通过调控TPA诱导MMP-9的表达，进而抑制结直肠癌SW480细胞侵袭和迁移能力，为克服结直肠癌转移研究提供新的思路。     

miR-145-5P通过调节Rho A蛋白表达抑制U251胶质瘤细胞的功能

目的 探究miR-145-5P对U251胶质瘤细胞增殖、侵袭影响及作用机制。方法 使用miR-145-5P mimic体外干预U251胶质瘤细胞,分为miR-145-5p过表达[miR-145-5p（+）]组、对照（NC）组。使用CCK-8实验、划痕愈合实验、Transwell实验检测miR-145-5P对U251细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭的影响,免疫荧光实验检测miR-145-5P对U251胶质瘤细胞骨架形成的影响,Western blot实验检测各组细胞中RhoA蛋白表达量的变化。结果 与NC组相比,CCK-8实验、划痕愈合实验、Transwell实验显示,miR-145-5p（+）组U251细胞的OD值、划痕愈合率、迁移/侵袭细胞数均明显减少（P均<0.05）;免疫荧光实验显示,miR-145-5p过表达后细胞形态由梭形变为圆形,丝状伪足及片状伪足皱缩;Western blot实验结果显示,miR-145-5p过表达后U251细胞中RhoA蛋白表达量减少（P<0.05）。结论 miR-145-5P通过调节RhoA蛋白表达量,进而影响胶质瘤细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭等生物学功能。     

lncRNA KTN1-AS1调节miR-153-3p/NFAT5轴对非小细胞肺癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响

目的 探讨长链非编码RNA Kinectin 1反义RNA 1(lncRNA KTN1-AS1)调控miR-153-3p/活化T细胞核因子5(NFAT5)轴对非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。方法 实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)、Western blot分别检测NSCLC组织、癌旁组织、人正常肺上皮细胞BEAS-2B及NSCLC细胞系A549、HCC827、H1299中KTN1-AS1、miR-153-3p表达及NFAT5蛋白表达;将A549细胞分为Ct组、si-NC组、si-KTN1-AS1组、mimic NC组、miR-153-3p mimic组、miR-153-3p mimic+pcDNA组、miR-153-3p mimic+pcDNA-NFAT5组,qRT-PCR检测细胞中KTN1-AS1、miR-153-3p表达;CCK-8法检测细胞增殖;平板克隆实验检测细胞克隆形成能力;划痕愈合实验检测细胞迁移;Transwell检测细胞侵袭;Western blot检测NFAT5、细胞周期蛋白D1(CyclinD1)、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-2、MMP-9蛋白...     

阳和平喘颗粒通过上调miR-139-5p和下调Notch1/Hes1通路促进哮喘大鼠BMSCs归巢

目的 观察阳和平喘颗粒对哮喘miR-139-5p、Notch1/Hes1信号通路及骨髓源性间充质干细胞（BMSCs）归巢的影响。方法 50 只 SD 大鼠随机均分为 5 组：正常对照（NC）组、模型对照（MC）组、BMSCs 移植（BMSCs）组、BMSCs+地塞米松（BMSCs+DXM）组[地塞米松 0.0625 mg/ （kg·d）]、BMSCs+阳和平喘组[阳和平喘颗粒3.5 g/ （kg·d）]。采用卵清蛋白致敏激发建立大鼠哮喘模型,BMSCs组、BMSCs+DXM组、BMSCs+阳和平喘组大鼠在激发最后1 d经尾静脉移植入1×106/mL BMSCs悬液。NC组、MC组以生理盐水灌胃,药物干预组分别予相应药物灌胃,灌胃量为1 mL/100 g,均持续1周。HE染色观察肺组织病理形态学,流式细胞术检测肺组织中CXCR4蛋白表达,酶联免疫吸附法检测肺组织γ干扰素（IFN-γ）、白介素-4（IL-4）表达。免疫荧光观察支气管上皮细胞CXCR4、Notch1、Hes1表达。RT-PCR法检测肺组织miR-139-5p、Notch1、Jagged1、RBP-J、Hes1基因表达,免疫印迹法检测肺组织 Notch1、Jagged1、Hes1 蛋白表达。结果 （1）与 NC 组比较,MC 组肺组织 CXCR4、IL-4、Notch1mRNA、Jagged1mRNA、RBP-JmRNA、Hes1mRNA及Notch1、Jagged1、Hes1蛋白表达升高,INF-γ、miR-139-5p mRNA表达降低（P<0.05）;（2）与MC组比较,BMSCs组、BMSCs+DXM组、BMSCs+阳和平喘组CXCR4、IFN-γ、miR-139-5pmRNA升高,IL-4、Notch1mRNA、Jagged1mRNA、RBP-JmRNA、Hes1mRNA及Notch1、Jagged1、Hes1蛋白表达降低（P<0.05）;（3）与BMSCs组比较,BMSCs+阳和平喘组CXCR4、IFN-γ、miR-139-5pmRNA表达升高,IL-4、Notch1mRNA表达量降低（P<0.05）。结论 阳和平喘颗粒通过上调miR-139-5p,下调Notch1/Hes1通路,强化BMSCs归巢对Th2炎症反应的抑制作用。     

miR-216b-5p对喉癌TU686细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响及其机制

目的：探讨miR-216b-5p对喉鳞状细胞癌(LSCC) TU686细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭和凋亡的影响,分析其在喉癌细胞中的靶基因及其可能的作用机制。方法：TU686细胞分为对照组和miR-216b-5p组,对照组细胞通过慢病毒感染无义序列,miR-216b-5p组细胞通过慢病毒感染过表达miR-216b-5p。采用实时荧光定量PCR (RT-qPCR)法检测2组细胞中miR-216b-5p表达水平,克隆形成实验检测2组细胞克隆形成率,细胞划痕实验检测2组细胞划痕愈合率,Transwell实验检测2组细胞中侵袭细胞数,流式细胞术检测2组细胞凋亡率。通过TargetScan网站预测miR-216b-5p的潜在靶基因,采用RT-qPCR法检测靶基因mRNA表达水平,双荧光素酶报告基因实验检测miR-216b-5p与靶基因间的靶向关系。结果：慢病毒感染后,与对照组比较,miR-216b-5p组细胞中miR-216b-5p表达水平明显升高(P<0.01)。与对照组比较,miR-216b-5p组细胞克隆形成率和划痕愈合率明显降低(P<0.01),侵袭细胞数明显减少(P<0.01...     

EBV下调miR-34c促进鼻咽癌细胞增殖、迁移的作用及机制研究

目的：探究爱泼斯坦-巴尔病毒(EBV)下调miR-34c促进鼻咽癌细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭的作用及机制。方法：采用qPCR检测EBV阴性鼻咽癌SUNE1、CNE2、HK1细胞和EBV阳性C666-1细胞中miR-34c表达水平。构建miR-34c模拟物以分析miR-34c对鼻咽癌细胞生物学功能的影响。使用CCK-8、划痕愈合试验以及Transwell细胞侵袭试验检测鼻咽癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力。Western blotting测定细胞中迁移、侵袭相关蛋白以及Erk1/2信号通路蛋白的表达水平。结果：miR-34c在EBV阳性C666-1细胞表达下调(P<0.05)。CCK-8结果显示,miR-34c组C666-1细胞在16、24、48 h的活力明显低于EBV组(P<0.01)。划痕试验和Transwell试验结果显示,与miR-34c组比较,EBV组C666-1细胞迁移和侵袭能力均明显增强(P<0.01)。Western blotting结果显示,与miR-34c组比较,EBV组C666-1细胞迁移和侵袭相关蛋白Vimentin、Snail、MMP-2、MMP-3及E...     

hsa-miR-214-5p通过下调PAK4对子宫颈癌HeLa细胞活力和凋亡的调控作用

目的:探究微小RNA-214-5p(micro RNA-214-5p、miR-214-5p)对宫颈癌HeLa细胞生长和凋亡的作用及机制。方法:将细胞分为HeLa组、mimic-scramble组、miR-214 mimic组和miR-214 inhibitor组,用miR-214 mimic和miR-214 inhibitor转染细胞,qRT-PCR检测miR-214和p21活化激酶4(P21-activated kinases 4, PAK4)的表达;生物信息学方法预测miR-214-5p与PAK4的关系,荧光素酶报告实验验证miR-214-5p与PAK4的关系;用pcDNA-PAK4(pc-PAK4)、miR-214 mimic和miR-214 inhibitor转染细胞,Western blot检测PAK4的表达;CCK-8检测细胞活力;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡。结果:miR-214 mimic组miR-214-5p mRNA的表达水平(46.02±5.23)较HeLa组(1.00±0.01)明显升高(LSD-t=31.423,P=0.000),miR-214 mimic组PAK4...     

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.