不同剂量酵母和腺嘌呤诱导大鼠痛风性肾病模型的建立比较

目的探讨不同剂量酵母、腺嘌呤和不同造模持续时间对大鼠痛风性肾病模型的影响。方法模型组雄性SD大鼠用15 g/kg酵母粉和50 mg/kg、100 mg/kg腺嘌呤分别灌胃,同时分别设置8、10、22、48的造模天数。比较各组肾脏肥大指数的大小,检测大鼠肾功能,尿液指标的变化,肾皮质β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)含量,肝脏黄嘌呤氧化酶(XOD)活性的变化,同时观察大鼠肾脏病理改变。并用免疫组化技术检测肾脏组织NGAL、OAT1和TIMP-1的表达。结果随着模型组造模剂浓度的增加和造模时间的延长,肾脏病理改变越明显。100mg/kg腺嘌呤和15g/kg酵母共同造模8 d,与正常对照组比较,该组肾脏病理组织变化明显,炎性细胞浸润肾小管上皮细胞肿胀,肾小管和肾小球结构未被破坏;肾脏肥大指数较正常对照组增大(P0.01);与正常对照组比较,模型A组,B组、E组、F组肾功能下降(P0.01),模型A组、B组、E组、F组大鼠的24 h尿量,尿蛋白含量增多(P0.01)。模型E组大鼠肾组织NGAL、TIMP-1的表达高于正常组大鼠(P0.01),OAT1的表达低于正常组大鼠(P0.01)。结论 100 mg/kg腺嘌呤和15 g/kg酵母共同造模8 d为较理想的造模剂量和造模持续时间,痛风性肾病模型大鼠肾损伤受蛋白NGAL、TIMP-1和OAT1的影响。     

益肾排毒方对腺嘌呤所致慢性肾衰竭大鼠肾功能的影响

目的 观察益肾排毒方对腺嘌呤所致慢性肾衰竭大鼠肾功能的影响.方法 103只清洁级Wister雄性大鼠,随机分为正常组、模型组、对照组(尿毒清颗粒)、治疗组(低、中、高剂量)6组,除正常组外,其余组均给予1.5％腺嘌呤混悬液按300 mg/(kg·d)剂量灌胃给药,造模3周.造模成功后,按大鼠体质量2 mL/100 g,灌胃1次/d,连续8周.正常组、模型组给予自来水灌胃,对照组灌胃尿毒清颗粒混悬液,治疗组分别按相当于人用药剂量的0.5、1、2倍量灌胃中药煎剂益肾排毒方.给药8周后观察各组大鼠一般情况、肾功能(BUN、Scr)指标、免疫(α-SMA)指标、电镜下肾脏组织超微结构形态变化.结果 与正常组相比,其余各组BUN、Scr水平均显著升高(P＜0.01);与模型组相比,其余各组BUN、Scr水平均显著下降(P＜0.01);与模型组相比,其余各组α-SMA水平均有下降趋势,治疗组(高剂量)水平显著下降(P＜0.01);电镜下,模型组均有不同程度肾损伤,对照组和治疗组肾损伤有所改善.结论 益肾排毒方可降低慢性肾衰竭大鼠血BUN、Scr水平,下调α-SMA的表达,改善修复受损肾脏组织,改善肾间质纤维化的程度,延缓慢性肾衰竭的进程.     

埃他卡林对脂多糖、油酸、二甘醇等所致肾脏损伤的影响

目的 观察埃他卡林对脂多糖、油酸和二甘醇等不同因素所致肾脏损伤的影响。方法 采用大鼠股静脉注射2%醋酸铅致敏后注射脂多糖1 μg (1 ml/kg),4 h造成内毒素休克肾损伤模型,大鼠左肾动脉注射油酸0.15 ml/kg,24 h造成油酸所致肾损伤模型,分别在造模前3 d及1 h,以埃他卡林1,3,9 mg/（kg·d）灌胃给药;小鼠腹腔注射二甘醇10 g/kg后,立即以埃他卡林1,3,9 mg/（kg·d）灌胃给药6 d,第7天造模成功。3种模型建立后,观察血清肌酐、尿素氮水平和肾脏形态学变化,评价肾脏功能。结果 （1）内毒素性休克大鼠血清肌酐和尿素氮水平显著升高,组织病理显示有肾小球微血栓、肾小管上皮肿胀和管腔内蛋白管型形成。埃他卡林9 mg/kg组能明显降低血清尿素氮和肌酐水平,改善上述病理变化。（2）左肾动脉注射油酸大鼠血清肌酐和尿素氮水平显著升高,组织病理显示肾小球内皮细胞坏死,球囊腔减小,肾小管间质充血且管腔内有蛋白管型形成。埃他卡林对油酸所致大鼠肾脏损伤无显著性改善作用。（3）二甘醇肾损伤小鼠血清肌酐水平显著性升高,埃他卡林9 mg/kg组血清肌酐水平恢复至正常。结论 埃他卡林不适合于脂多糖、油酸所致肾脏损伤的防治,埃他卡林可否用于二甘醇所致肾损伤的治疗值得进一步研究。     

腺嘌呤制作慢性肾功能衰竭大鼠疾病模型

目的：制作腺嘌呤致慢性肾功能衰竭大鼠疾病模型。方珐：Wistar大鼠腺嘌呤200mg／kg灌胃，1次／d，连续24d。观察大鼠一般状态的改变，检测血液，生化学指标(RBC、HGB、HCT、BUN、Set、Ca^2 、P^5 )，肾脏病理组织学检查。结果：模型出现RBC、HGB、HCT降低，BUN、Scr升高，低钙高磷，慢性肾功能衰竭主要血生化改变。肾脏病理组织学以肾小管损害为主。结论：腺嘌呤可以制作较理想的慢性肾功能衰竭大鼠疾病模型。     

建立一种伴有肾小球和肾小管间质损伤的大鼠慢性肾衰竭动物模型

目的 建立一种伴有肾小球和肾小管间质损伤的慢性肾衰竭动物模型.方法 SD大鼠分为6组:正常组,阿霉素15 mg/kg组(A组),腺嘌呤200 mg·kg-1·d-1组(B组),阿霉素15 mg/kg+腺嘌呤200 mg·kg-1·d-1组(C组),阿霉素10mg/kg+腺嘌呤200mg·kg-1· d-1组(D组),阿霉素5 mg/kg+腺嘌呤200mg·kg-1·d-1组(E组).进行尾静脉注射阿霉素和灌胃腺嘌呤,分别于14、28 d处死大鼠,并收集尿液、血液及肾脏.结果 正常组和B、E组大鼠存活过14、28 d;E组24 h尿蛋白较B组和正常组明显增加;E组大鼠血清中血尿素氮(BUN),血肌酐(Scr)等水平明显升高;病理切片示B、E组大鼠有不同程度的肾小管间质纤维化和肾小球减少,其病变较余组典型.结论 该方法能够成功建立伴有肾小球和肾小管间质损伤的慢性肾衰竭动物模型,但药物剂量需要进一步的研究.     

复康片对卡马西平肾毒性的预防作用

目的:探讨复康片对卡马西平肾脏毒性的预防作用.方法:将48只大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型对照组、复康片低剂量组、复康片高剂量组共4组,每组12只.正常对照组正常喂养,每天灌胃蒸馏水,其余不做任何处理.余3组建立CBZ致肾脏损伤模型,造模同时复康片低、高剂量组分别按750 mg·kg-1·d-1和1500 mg·kg-1·d-1灌胃复康片1次/d.实验第90天,处死所有大鼠,腔静脉取血,离心取血清测肾功能,取肾组织在光镜下观察肾脏组织病理学.结果:与正常对照组比较,模型对照组肾功能异常,肾小球内细胞增多,肾小管上皮细胞水肿,管腔狭窄,间质炎细胞浸润.尿素氮(BUN)水平明显升高.中药复康片低剂量组表现为肾小球结构基本正常,肾小管上皮细胞轻度水肿,间质可见炎细胞浸润,尿素氮(BUN)水平明显降低.中药复康片高剂量组大鼠肾小球结构正常,肾小管上皮细胞轻度水肿,间质轻度炎细胞浸润,尿素氮(BUN)水平显著降低.结果表明高剂量组的效果要好于低剂量组,结论:复康片可预防卡马西平肾毒性.     

开结汤对腺嘌呤所致慢性肾功能衰竭模型大鼠影响

目的:研究开结汤对腺嘌呤所致慢性肾功能衰竭模型大鼠的影响。方法:选取大鼠60只,按体重随机分为6组:正常组,模型组,开结汤低剂量治疗组、中剂量治疗组、高剂量治疗组,尿毒清治疗组,除正常组外,其余5组用250 mg/(kg·d)腺嘌呤连续灌胃21 d复制慢性肾功能衰竭模型,造模成功后分别给药开结汤和尿毒清治疗30 d,治疗结束后,大鼠心脏取血检测常规生化指标;肾组织做病理切片,观察肾小球、肾小管的病理变化。结果:开结汤3个剂量组、尿毒清治疗组与模型组比较大鼠血清中Scr、BUN、P的含量均有明显降低(P0.05),Ca的含量未见明显改变;病理组织观察结果显示,开结汤低、中剂量组中大鼠肾间质纤维化及炎性细胞浸润明显减少。结论:开结汤通过降低炎性细胞浸润,改善肾功能,从而延缓慢性肾功能衰竭进程。     

全反式维甲酸对狼疮性肾炎小鼠的治疗作用

目的探讨全反式维甲酸(ATRA)对狼疮性肾炎(LN)小鼠的治疗作用。方法将18只MRL/lpr小鼠随机分为对照组、环磷酰胺治疗组和ATRA治疗组,每组6只。对照组小鼠给予生理盐水灌胃(10 mg·kg-1·d-1),给药8周;ATRA治疗组小鼠给予ATRA灌胃(10 mg·kg-1·d-1),给药8周;环磷酰胺治疗组小鼠腹腔注射环磷酰胺(100 mg·kg-1·d-1),连续给药2 d。实验结束后采集小鼠血液及肾脏组织标本。使用全自动生物化学分析仪检测小鼠血尿素氮(BUN)、血肌酐(Scr)和尿肌酐(Ucr)水平,过碘酸雪夫染色观察肾组织结构变化,免疫组织化学法检测小鼠肾组织中转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)和单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1)的表达。结果 ATRA治疗组和环磷酰胺治疗组小鼠Scr和BUN水平低于对照组,Ucr水平高于对照组(P<0.01);ATRA治疗组小鼠BUN水平高于环磷酰胺治疗组,Ucr水平低于环磷酰胺治疗组(P<0.01);ATRA治疗组和环磷酰胺治疗组小鼠Scr水平比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。对照组小鼠可见肾小球基底膜增厚、系膜增生,肾小管基底膜增厚;环磷酰胺治疗组和ATRA治疗组小鼠也可见肾小球基底膜增厚、系膜增生,肾小管基底膜增厚,与对照组比较均有减轻,环磷酰胺治疗组减轻更明显。环磷酰胺治疗组和ATRA治疗组小鼠肾组织中MCP-1、TGF-β1表达均低于对照组(P<0.05);ATRA治疗组小鼠肾组织中MCP-1、TGF-β1表达高于环磷酰胺治疗组(P<0.05)。结论环磷酰胺和ATRA均可降低LN小鼠Scr、BUN水平,减轻肾脏病理改变,减少肾脏组织中TGF-β1和MCP-1的表达,但环磷酰胺效果优于ATRA。     

益肾健脾泄浊汤对痛风性肾病模型大鼠肾功能及肾脏病理改变的影响*

目的探讨益肾健脾泄浊汤对痛风性肾病模型大鼠肾功能指标及肾脏病理改变的影响。方法 将60只SD雄性大鼠随机分为：空白组、模型组、阳性对照组（非布司他片组）、益肾健脾泄浊汤高、中、低剂量组。采用高酵母粉联合腺嘌呤灌胃的方法复制痛风性肾病模型大鼠。造模成功后，分别按照非布司他片组（3.6 mg/kg/d），益肾健脾泄浊汤高、中、低剂量剂量组（中药浸膏5.86 g/kg/d + 三七粉0.54 g/kg/d、中药浸膏2.93 g/kg/d + 三七粉0.27 g/kg/d、中药浸膏1.47 g/kg/d + 三七粉0.14 g/kg/d）灌胃给药，连续干预21 d后检测大鼠的血尿酸（serum uric acid，SUA）、血肌酐（serum creatinine，SCr）和血尿素氮（blood urea nitrogen，BUN）水平，计算其肾脏指数并观察肾脏的病理改变情况。结果 与空白组比较，模型组大鼠SUA、SCr、BUN显著升高（P<0.05），肾脏病理改变比较明显；与模型组相比较，益肾健脾泄浊汤高、中、低剂量组大鼠SUA、BUN水平均有下降（P<0.05），益肾健脾泄浊汤高、中剂量组大鼠SCr水平显著下降（P<0.05），低剂量组大鼠SCr水平有下降趋势，但差异无统计学意义，且各组大鼠肾脏病理改变均有不同程度的改善。结论 益肾健脾泄浊汤可降低痛风性肾病模型大鼠的SUA、BUN、SCr水平，改善其肾脏病理损伤，保护大鼠肾脏功能。     

芦丁对全氟辛酸所致的小鼠脂代谢紊乱及肾脏损伤的改善作用

目的 探讨芦丁对全氟辛酸(PFOA)所致小鼠脂代谢紊乱及肾脏损伤的改善作用。方法 将15只雄性小鼠随机分为对照组、PFOA组、PFOA+芦丁组,每组5只。PFOA组给予灌胃PFOA溶液20 mg/(kg·d),PFOA+芦丁组给予灌胃PFOA溶液20 mg/(kg·d)及芦丁溶液20 mg/(kg·d),对照组给予灌胃ddH₂O,连续干预14 d。每天记录小鼠体重,干预14 d后处死小鼠,采用HE染色及基底膜过碘酸六胺银(PASM)染色观察小鼠肾脏组织病理变化,并检测小鼠血清三酰甘油、总胆固醇、HDL-C、LDL-C、尿素、肌酐水平及乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性。结果 (1)从干预第6天开始,PFOA组和PFOA+芦丁组小鼠的体重均低于对照组(均P<0.05),而PFOA组与PFOA+芦丁组比较差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。(2)HE染色和PASM染色结果显示,与对照组相比,PFOA组小鼠肾脏出现明显的结构性损伤,肾小球体积增大,系膜细胞和内皮细胞增生,肾小管上皮细胞水肿、脱落及轻度空泡样变性,肾小球系膜增厚,肾小管基底膜增厚、皱缩,近端小管刷状缘消...     

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.