可溶性上皮型钙黏蛋白的检测在胸腔积液鉴别诊断中的意义

目的通过检测胸腔积液中可溶性上皮型钙黏蛋白(sE-cad)水平,探讨sE-cad对于胸腔积液鉴别诊断的意义。方法将胸腔积液患者分为恶性胸腔积液组、感染性胸腔积液组和漏出液组3组,其中感染性胸腔积液包括结核性胸腔积液和肺炎旁胸腔积液两个亚组,取第一次胸腔穿刺术所得的胸腔积液标本,应用ELISA法测定各种原因引起的胸腔积液中sE-cad的浓度。结果发现恶性胸腔积液中sE-cad浓度为(38.38±4.15)ng/mL,显著高于良性胸腔积液(14.17±0.80)ng/mL,与良性胸腔积液中各亚组比较均有统计学意义(P<0.001)。肺癌所致恶性胸腔积液(42.90±5.39)ng/mL和肺外恶性肿瘤胸膜转移所致恶性胸腔积液(26.07±3.55)ng/mL,两者间sE-cad浓度有显著差异(P<0.05)。胸腔积液中sE-cad浓度与癌胚抗原(CEA)呈显著相关(P<0.001)。根据ROC曲线,sE-cad取17.68 ng/mL为临界值,诊断恶性胸腔积液的敏感性为86.00%,特异性为85.00%,阳性预测值为88.00%,阴性预测值为85.00%,准确性86.67%,诊断效能中等。sE-cad和CEA联合诊断恶性胸腔积液具有最高的敏感性、特异性和准确性。结论测定胸腔积液中sE-cad浓度对鉴别良、恶性胸腔积液有一定价值,与CEA联合诊断恶性积液时具有最高的敏感性和特异性,值得在临床推广应用。     

可溶性上皮型钙黏蛋白的检测在胸腔积液鉴别诊断中的意义

目的 通过检测胸腔积液中可溶性上皮型钙黏蛋白(sE-cad)水平,探讨sE-cad对于胸腔积液鉴别诊断的意义.方法 将胸腔积液患者分为恶性胸腔积液组、感染性胸腔积液组和漏出液组3组,其中感染性胸腔积液包括结核性胸腔积液和肺炎旁胸腔积液两个亚组,取第一次胸腔穿刺术所得的胸腔积液标本,应用ELISA法测定各种原因引起的胸腔积液中sE-cad的浓度.结果 发现恶性胸腔积液中sE-cad浓度为(38.38±4.15)ng/mL,显著高于良性胸腔积液(14.17±0.80)ng/mL,与良性胸腔积液中各亚组比较均有统计学意义(P<0.001).肺癌所致恶性胸腔积液(42.90±5.39)ng/mL和肺外恶性肿瘤胸膜转移所致恶性胸腔积液(26.07±3.55)ng/mL,两者间sE-cad浓度有显著差异(P<0.05).胸腔积液中sE-cad浓度与癌胚抗原(CEA)呈显著相关(P<0.001).根据ROC曲线,sE-cad取17.68 ng/mL为临界值,诊断恶性胸腔积液的敏感性为86.00%,特异性为85.00%,阳性预测值为88.00%,阴性预测值为85.00%,准确性86.67%,诊断效能中等.sE-cad和CEA联合诊断恶性胸腔积液具有最高的敏感性、特异性和准确性.结论 测定胸腔积液中sE-cad浓度对鉴别良、恶性胸腔积液有一定价值,与CEA联合诊断恶性积液时具有最高的敏感性和特异性,值得在临床推广应用.     

肺表面活性蛋白A 在渗出性胸腔积液中的临床应用

目的：评估肺表面活性蛋白A(surfactant protein-A,SP-A)在诊断渗出性胸腔积液(exudate pleural effusions, EPE)中的临床应用价值。方法：采用前瞻性研究,选取215例胸腔积液患者,分漏出性胸腔积液(transudate pleural effusions,TPE)和EPE两组,TPE组作为对照组。运用ELISA实验测定并比较胸腔积液中SP-A(pleural effusion SP-A, SP-Apl)和血清中SP-A(serum SP-A,SP-Ase)浓度。运用受试者工作特征(receiver operator characteristic,ROC)曲线及多 变量Cox回归研究SP-A在诊断胸腔积液中的临床价值。结果：EPE组SP-Apl浓度明显高于TPE组[(189.8±43.4) ng/mL vs (22.3±5.1) ng/mL,P<0.01];EPE组SP-Ase浓度明显高于TPE组[(78.9±11.3) ng/mL vs (25.8±12.4) ng/mL,P<0.05];EPE组 SP-Apl浓度明显高于SP-Ase浓度(P<0.01)。EPE组中肺腺癌患者SP-Apl浓度和SP-Ase浓度最高,且SP-Apl浓度明显高于SP-Ase 浓度(P<0.01)。当SP-Apl浓度≥484.5 ng/mL时,诊断肺腺癌的敏感性为85.4%,特异性为95.2%,曲线下面积(area under the curve,AUC)为0.943(95% CI：0.852~0.934,P<0.01);当SP-Ase≥84.2 ng/mL时,诊断肺腺癌的敏感性为76.4%,特异性 为94.3%,AUC为0.910(95% CI：0.921~0.953,P<0.01)。结论：SP-Apl浓度≥484.5 ng/mL和/或SP-Ase浓度≥84.2 ng/mL有助 于诊断肺腺癌性胸腔积液。     

ADA、CRP、CEA、CA153检测对结核性和恶性胸腔积液的鉴别诊断价值

目的探讨胸腔积液中腺苷脱氨酶(ADA)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、癌胚抗原(CEA)与糖链抗原153(CA153)在结核性和恶性胸腔积液鉴别诊断中的价值。方法将42例结核性胸腔积液的患者作为结核组,68例恶性胸腔积液患者作为恶性组,以酶比色法、免疫比浊法和电化学发光法检测上述患者胸腔积液中ADA、CRP、CEA和CA153浓度。结果结核组胸腔积液ADA和CRP的诊断敏感性均显著高于CEA和CA153(P<0.01),而其诊断特异性的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);恶性组胸腔积液CEA、CA153的诊断敏感性均显著高于CEA和CA153(P<0.01),ADA、CEA、CA153的诊断特异性均显著高于CRP(P<0.01)。以胸腔积液CEA>10ng/mL及CA153>25U/mL为诊断标准,诊断恶性胸腔积液的敏感性、特异性分别为70.8%、86.3%;而以CEA>10ng/mL、CA153>25U/mL及ADA<35U/L和CRP<4.0mg/L联合检测为诊断标准,诊断恶性胸腔积液的敏感性、特异性分别提高到93.8%、95.3%。以胸腔积液ADA>35U/L,CRP>4.0mg/L为诊断标准,诊断结核性胸腔积液的敏感性、特异性分别为84.8%、88.7%;而以ADA>35U/L,CRP>4.0mg/L及CEA<10ng/mL和CA153<25U/mL联合检测时,诊断结核性胸腔积液的敏感性、特异性分别提高到97.2%、92.6%。结论联合检测胸腔积液ADA、CRP、CEA和CA153可明显提高结核性与恶性胸腔积液鉴别诊断的敏感性和特异性。     

肿瘤M2型丙酮酸激酶在良性和恶性胸腔积液的表达及其临床价值

目的通过检测胸腔积液中肿瘤M2型丙酮酸激酶（M2-PK）水平,探讨肿瘤M2-PK对于胸腔积液鉴别诊断的临床应用价值。方法收集2006年1月至2008年12月在中山大学附属汕头医院和中山大学附属第一医院呼吸科住院和门、急诊就诊的胸腔积液患者146例,其中恶性胸腔积液72例（肺癌52例,肺外恶性肿瘤20例）,良性胸腔积液74例（感染性胸腔积液54例,漏出液20例）。将胸腔积液患者分为恶性胸腔积液组、感染性胸腔积液组和漏出液组,其中感染性胸腔积液包括结核性胸腔积液和肺炎旁胸腔积液两个亚组,取第一次胸腔穿刺术所得的胸腔积液标本,应用ELISA法测定胸腔积液中肿瘤M2-PK的浓度。结果恶性胸腔积液中肿瘤M2-PK浓度为（39.58±3.15）U/mL,显著高于良性胸腔积液（13.47±0.90）U/mL,与良性胸腔积液中各亚组比较均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。肺癌所致恶性胸腔积液的肿瘤M2-PK浓度与肺外恶性肿瘤胸膜转移所致恶性胸腔积液比较有显著差异[（44.90±4.39）U/mL比（27.08±4.55）U/mL,P〈0.05）。根据ROC曲线,取肿瘤M2-PK浓度18.68U/mL为临界值,诊断恶性胸腔积液的敏感性为87.6%,特异性为86.0%,准确性为87.4%。肿瘤M2-PK和癌胚抗原（CEA）联合诊断恶性胸腔积液的敏感性为96.0%,特异性为85.0%,准确性为91.1%。结论测定胸腔积液中肿瘤M2-PK浓度对鉴别良、恶性胸腔积液有一定价值,与CEA联合诊断恶性积液时敏感性和特异性进一步提高,值得在临床推广应用。     

降钙素原与腺苷脱氨酶联合检测对结核性胸腔积液的诊断价值

目的探讨联合检测血清和胸腔积液降钙素原（PCT）、腺苷脱氨酶（ADA）对结核性胸腔积液的诊断价值。方法 128例胸腔积液患者分为3组：结核性52例为结核组,肺炎旁积液22例为肺炎组,恶性40例和心衰性14例为对照组。测定各组患者血清和胸腔积液的PCT、ADA水平。结果结核组、肺炎组和对照组间血清PCT水平差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,结核组和肺炎组胸腔积液中PCT的表达均较对照组明显升高（均P〈0.05）。结核组血清和胸腔积液中ADA水平较肺炎组和对照组显著升高（P〈0.01）。受试者工作曲线（ROC曲线）分析胸腔积液ADA/血清ADA值（P/S值）〉1.27诊断结核性胸腔积液的敏感度和特异度最佳,分别为92.3%和100%。结论联合检测胸腔积液中PCT与ADA的表达可极大提高结核性胸腔积液诊断的敏感性和特异性。     

血清ADA、IL-27、TB-Ab联合检测诊断血性结核性胸腔积液的价值研究

目的?探讨血清腺苷脱氨酶（ADA）、白细胞介素-27（IL-27）及结核杆菌抗体免疫球蛋白G（TB-Ab-IgG）在血性结核性胸膜炎中的诊断价值。方法?选取2015年7月—2017年3月在黄冈市中心医院诊治的102例胸腔积液患者作为研究对象。根据胸腔积液病因及性状分为血性癌性胸腔积液患者36例（癌性组）、血性结核性胸腔积液患者32例（结核性组）和非血性结核性胸腔积液患者34例（非结核性组）。检测并比较3组患者血清ADA、IL-27及TB-Ab-IgG水平。绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线,评价ADA、IL-27及TB-Ab-IgG诊断血性结核性胸腔积液的敏感性和特异性。结果?结核性组血清ADA、IL-27水平及TB-Ab-IgG阳性率高于癌性组和非结核性组（P?<0.05）。ROC曲线结果显示,ADA、IL-27、TB-Ab-IgG及3者联合检测诊断血性结核性胸膜胸腔积液的曲线下面积分别为0.884、0.842、0.867和0.926,敏感性分别为91.4%（95% CI：0.555,0.832）、79.8%（95% CI：0.451,0.612）、85.7%（95% CI：0.712,0.931）和96.8%（95% CI：0.787,0.988）,特异性分别为93.7%（95% CI：0.631,0.947）、83.6%（95% CI：0.833,0.964）、88.6%（95% CI：0.787,0.998）和94.3%（95% CI：0.834,0.999）。ADA、IL-27、TB-Ab-IgG 3者联合检测优于单独检测。结论?ADA、IL-27、TB-Ab-IgG 3者联合检测诊断血性结核性胸膜炎具有较高的临床 价值。     

单项和多项指标联合检测在结核性胸膜炎诊断中的预测价值

目的 探讨γ干扰素(IFN-γ)、超敏C反应蛋白(hsCRP)、腺苷脱氨酶(ADA)单项指标及多项指标联合在诊断结核性胸腔积液中的预测价值.方法 分别用酶联免疫吸附法、免疫比浊法、酶法测定结核性胸腔积液及恶性胸腔积液患者胸水IFN-γ,hsCRP,ADA水平.结果 ①结核性胸腔积液患者的胸水IFN-γ,hsCRP,ADA水平分别为(608.36±231.53)ng/L,(61.76±31.27)mg/L,(63.32±2.32)U/L,恶性胸腔积液患者的胸水IFN-γ,hsCRP、ADA水平分别为(96.26±40.77)ng/L,(10.09±10.09)mg/L,(10.72±8.77)U/L.两组比较结核性胸腔积液患者的胸水IFN-γ水平升高(P＜0.01),胸水hsCRP水平升高(P＜0.01),胸水ADA水平升高(P＜0.01).②ROC曲线分析结果:IFN-γ的诊断临界值为169.35ng/L,敏感性和特异性分别为92.7%,100%;hsCRP的诊断临界值为30.3mg/L,敏感性和特异性分别为90.2%,96.0%;ADA的诊断临界值为41.5U/L,其敏感性和特异性分别为85.4%,96.0%.三项指标联合检测灵敏度和特异性分别为85.4%,100.0%.结论 结核性胸腔积液患者IFN-γ水平升高,胸水hsCRP水平升高,胸水ADA水平升高.IFN-γ,hsCRP和ADA联合测定可以作为结核性胸腔积液的诊断依据.     

结核T细胞斑点试验在结核性胸膜炎中的价值

目的: 探讨结核感染T细胞斑点试验（T-SPOT.TB）在鉴别诊断结核性胸膜炎和其他淋巴细胞为主的渗出性胸腔积液中的价值。方法: 对63例淋巴细胞为主的渗出性胸腔积液患者（32例结核性胸膜炎,31例非结核性胸膜炎）的外周血和胸腔积液单核细胞（PBMCs,PEMCs）进行T-SPOT.TB检测,评价其敏感性、特异性,并应用ROC曲线分析临界值及敏感性和特异性。结果: 结核性胸膜炎患者胸腔积液T-SPOT.TB的敏感性为93.75%,高于外周血的90.63%,但无统计学意义（χ²=0.21, P=0.641）;特异性为90.32%,明显高于外周血的67.74%（χ²=4.76, P=0.029）。胸腔积液与外周血检测形成细胞数为（532.5[260.5-1053]）SFCs/10⁶PEMC vs (166[43.5-349]) SFCs/10⁶PBMC（P<0.05）。胸腔积液的ROC曲线下面积为0.964,当取值分别为12和133 SFCs/10⁶PEMC时,敏感性分别为93.8%和81.3%,特异性为90.3%和96.8%。结论: 胸腔积液T-SPOT.TB在结核性胸膜炎诊断中具有重要的参考价值,当斑点数≥133 SFCs/10⁶PEMC特异性较高。     

联合测定a-干扰素和癌胚抗原在结核性胸腔积液和恶性胸腔积液鉴别诊断中的价值

目的探讨a-干扰素（IFN-a）、癌胚抗原（CEA）联合检测在结核性胸腔积液和恶性胸腔积液鉴别诊断中的价值。方法以60例胸腔积液患者为研究对象,其中结核性胸腔积液31例,恶性胸腔积液29例,应用ELISA法检测IFN-a和CEA的浓度。结果结核性胸腔积液IFN-a含量高于恶性胸腔积液组,差异有显著性（P〈0.01）：恶性胸腔积液组CEA含量高于结核性胸腔积液组,差异有显著性（P〈0.01）。IFN-a对结核性胸腔积液诊断的敏感性和特异性分别为96.8%、93.1%;CEA对恶性胸腔积液诊断的敏感性和特异性分别为86.2%、93.5%;IFN-a和CEA联合检测对结核性胸腔积液诊断的敏感性和特异性分别为100%、96.6%。结论IFN-a和CEA可以作为临床上鉴别结核性胸腔积液和恶性胸腔积液的有效指标,联合检测对结核性胸腔积液和恶性胸腔积液的鉴别诊断的意义更大。     

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.