CaMKⅡ活性抑制降低内质网应激诱导的大鼠心肌细胞死亡

目的探讨钙/钙调蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶（CaMK）Ⅱ与内质网应激诱导的大鼠心肌细胞死亡的相关性。方法以成年SD大鼠心肌细胞为研究对象,使用毒胡萝卜素、衣霉素和brefeldin A诱导心肌细胞内质网应激,用碘化丙啶染色评价心肌细胞存活率,观察心肌细胞死亡情况。Western blot检测葡萄糖调节蛋白（GRP）78和DNA核苷酸序列CCAAT增强子结合蛋白（C/EBP）同源蛋白（CHOP）的表达。通过GRP78和CHOP上调评价内质网应激反应。结果毒胡萝卜素、衣霉素和brefeldin A呈时间和剂量依赖方式诱导内质网应激反应和心肌细胞的死亡（P〈0.01）,使GRP78和CHOP蛋白表达上调（P〈0.05）,KN93和AIP阻断CaMKⅡ活性后,GRP78和CHOP蛋白表达与各自的未阻断对照组相比下调（P〈0.05）,内质网应激反应减弱,内质网应激诱导的细胞死亡减少（P〈0.05）。结论毒胡萝卜素、衣霉素和brefeldin A诱导的内质网应激可能是通过CaMKⅡ依赖途径介导大鼠心肌细胞死亡。CaMKⅡ可能是治疗心肌梗死或防治心衰的新靶点。     

离体大鼠心肌内质网应激模型构建条件的优化

目的： 探讨构建体外心肌内质网应激endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)模型的方法及实验条件。方法：应用Langendorrf 灌流装置制作大鼠心脏离体缺血/再灌注模型,采用PowerLab系统持续监测血流动力学参数,western-blot检测缺血（停止灌流）不同时间/再灌注120min后心肌ERS标志性分子糖调节蛋白（GRP）78的表达,并检测C/EBP同源蛋白(CHOP)的表达;逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测二者mRNA的表达;体外孵育心肌组织切片,分别应用不同浓度的衣霉素(tunicamycin, Tm)和二硫苏糖醇(Dithiothreitol,DTT)处理3h和6h,western-blot检测心肌GRP78及CHOP的表达。结果：与对照组相比,离体灌注心脏缺血40min /再灌注120min时,心肌GRP78表达最高（P <0.01）,CHOP蛋白、GRP78mRNA及CHOPmRNA表达均明显升高（P <0.01,P <0.05和P <0.05）同时,各项血流动力学参数受损（均P < 0.01）;Tm10μg/mL和DTT 2mmol/L孵育心肌组织切片3h时,GRP78表达较对照组显著升高（均P <0.001）,CHOP表达亦均明显升高（P <0.05和P <0.01）。结论：使用离体大鼠心脏缺血/再灌注和孵育心肌组织切片的方法,均可成功构建体外心肌ERS模型。     

葛根素预处理对缺血再灌注心肌内质网应激与细胞凋亡的影响

目的：观察葛根素预处理对缺血再灌注（I/R）大鼠心肌内质网应激（ERS）与细胞凋亡的影响。方法24只SD大鼠随机分为3组（n=8）：假手术组（SH组）;缺血再灌注组（I/R组）;葛根素预处理组（PU组）。RT-PCR检测GRP78、CRT mRNA的表达;免疫组化检测caspase-12、CHOP蛋白表达;TUNEL法检测心肌细胞凋亡情况。结果与SH组比较,其余各组GRP78与CRT mRNA表达、caspase-12与CHOP蛋白表达以及心肌细胞凋亡率均明显增加（P〈0.05）,与I/R组比较,PU组各检测指标均降低（P〈0.05）。结论葛根素预处理可通过调控ERS反应程度,抑制I/R导致的过度ERS,减轻内质网凋亡信号介导的细胞凋亡的发生而产生心肌保护作用。     

白藜芦醇通过内质网应激抑制心肌细胞肥大及凋亡

目的探讨白藜芦醇（resveratrol,Res）通过内质网应激介导心肌细胞肥大的作用机制。方法利用异丙肾上腺素（isoproterenol,ISO）建立心肌细胞肥大模型,Res干预后通过检测心肌细胞表面积和ANP基因表达评价心肌细胞肥大程度;检测各组心肌细胞培养液中乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量变化和心肌细胞凋亡率,Real time-PCR检测心肌细胞ERS相关基因GRP 78和CHOP表达。结果与ISO组比较,Res显著抑制ISO诱导的心肌细胞肥大（P〈0.05）,降低肥大心肌细胞LDH和MDA释放量（P〈0.05）;下调GRP78和CHOP基因表达（P〈0.05）,并抑制心肌细胞凋亡率（P〈0.05）。结论 Res对ISO诱导的心肌细胞肥大和凋亡具有保护作用,其机制是通过抑制内质网应激和CHOP介导的凋亡通路实现的。     

宫颈癌细胞系中HPV 感染与GRP78、JNK 及 CHOP 表达的相关性分析

目的 探讨宫颈癌细胞系中HPV（HPV）感染状态与内质网应激相关蛋白表达之间的相关性。 方法 采用免疫组织化学法、Western blot、逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）分别检测GRP78、JNK 及 CHOP 蛋白和mRNA 在HPV16（+）Siha、HPV18（+）Hela 及HPV（-）C33a 3 种宫颈癌细胞系中的表达 水平,并采用统计学分析其表达的差异性。结果 免疫组织化学法结果显示,GRP78 蛋白在高危型HPV16（+） Siha 和HPV18（+）Hela 的表达高于HPV（-）C33a（P <0.05）,内质网应激相关蛋白JNK、CHOP 在HPV16 （+）Siha 和HPV18（+）Hela 的表达高于HPV（-）C33a（P <0.05）。RT-PCR 及Western blot 结果显示, GRP78、JNK 及CHOP mRNA 及蛋白表达在HPV16（+）Siha 和HPV18（+）Hela 细胞株中高于HPV（-） C33a 细胞株（P <0.05）。结论 宫颈癌中GRP78 和内质网应激相关蛋白JNK、CHOP 的表达与HPV 亚型相关, 内质网应激相关蛋白可能参与了宫颈癌的发生与发展。     

双水杨酸酯通过抑制内质网应激缓解高脂饮食小鼠的高血糖状态

目的：研究并探讨双水杨酸酯（Salsalate,SAL）对高脂饮食喂养的小鼠血糖水平的影响。方法：高脂饮食联合0.5%双水杨酸酯共同饲养8周龄C57BL/6J雄性小鼠40天,行胰岛素耐量试验（ITT）及葡萄糖耐量试验（GTT）,提取肝脏总RNA及蛋白,检测内质网应激通路（CHOP、ERDJ4、GRP78和GRP94）的基因蛋白表达水平。结果:SAL组小鼠随机血糖水平低于对照组（pP <0.05）,且GTT提示糖耐量更好,但两组空腹胰岛素水平无统计学差异,且ITT提示两者胰岛素刺激后血糖变化未见明显差异;SAL组小鼠肝脏组织GRP78和GRP94的基因表达水平较对照组减低（pP<0.05）,SAL组小鼠肝脏组织CHOP、ERDJ4、GRP78和GRP94的蛋白表达水平较对照组减低（pP<0.05）。结论:双水杨酸酯通过抑制内质网应激通路缓解高脂饮食小鼠的高血糖状态,且这一过程不依赖于胰岛素作用。     

高同型半胱氨酸血症对 ApoE －／－鼠心脏内质网应激的影响

目的：探讨高同型半胱氨酸血症（ HHcy）对ApoE－／－鼠心脏内质网应激（ ERS）的影响及其可能机制。方法取5周龄雄鼠12只作为正常对照组;另取5周龄雄性ApoE－／－小鼠36只,随机分为3组,ApoE－／－对照组：ApoE－／－小鼠饲以普通饲料配方饮食;高蛋氨酸组：ApoE－／－小鼠饲以高蛋氨酸饮食;干预组：ApoE－／－小鼠饲以高蛋氨酸饮食同时加0.006％叶酸和0.0004％维生素B12。喂养20周后处死,行主动脉病理切片HE染色观察主动脉是否有斑块形成;取心脏,采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测GRP78、CHOP、Caspase－12 mRNA的变化;巢式降落式甲基化特异性PCR检测GRP78和CHOP启动子区DNA甲基化水平。结果正常对照组及ApoE－／－对照组斑块不明显,高蛋氨酸组动脉粥样硬化斑块面积明显增大,主动脉内膜可见灶性病变部位隆起突入动脉腔内,干预组动脉粥样硬化斑块面积较高蛋氨酸组有所减轻。与ApoE－／－对照组比较,高蛋氨酸组GRP78、CHOP、Caspase－12 mRNA水平明显升高（P＜0.05,P＜0.01）,干预组GRP78、CHOP mRNA水平较高蛋氨酸组降低（P＜0.05）。与ApoE－／－对照组比较,高蛋氨酸组GRP78、CHOP启动子区DNA甲基化水平降低（P＜0.01）,干预组GRP78、CHOP甲基化水平较高蛋氨酸组有所升高（ P＜0.05）。结论 HHcy可能通过影响DNA甲基化程度引起ERS相关基因表达改变,进而导致心肌细胞凋亡,补充叶酸与维生素B12可有效缓解HHcy所引起的ERS和凋亡。     

PM诱导支气管上皮细胞炎症反应及内质网应激机制研究

目的探讨细颗粒物（PM）诱导气道炎症中支气管上皮细胞内质网应激（ERS）现象和氧化应激的调控机制。方法雄性C57BL/6小鼠用4mg/kgPM连续气道滴注2d,构建动物模型。获取空白组和PM组小鼠肺组织进行病理分级评分;采用Westernblot法检测肺组织葡萄糖调节蛋白前体78（GRP78）和CCAAT增强子结合蛋白（CHOP）的相对表达量,采用免疫组化法检测GRP78和CHOP的累计光密度值,采用硫代巴比妥酸（TBA）法测定肺组织中丙二醛（MDA）质量摩尔浓度。获取肺泡灌洗液,ELISA法检测IL-6、IL-8和前列腺素E2（PGE2）的分泌水平。用100、200、400mg/LPM和2.5mmol/LN-乙酰半胱氨酸（NAC）、200mg/LPM与支气管上皮细胞BEAS-2B共培养,构建细胞模型。检测各组细胞活性氧（ROS）变化。Westernblot法检测NAC干预下的BEAS-2B中GRP78和CHOP表达变化,ELISA法检测炎症介质分泌水平。结果气道滴注PM诱导C57BL/6小鼠支气管病理形态学改变,肺组织GRP78、CHOP表达升高（P＜0.05）,肺组织MDA质量摩尔浓度升高（P＜0.05）,伴随肺泡灌洗液中IL-6、IL-8和PGE2分泌增多（P＜0.05）。细胞模型中,PM作用下各组细胞ROS表达水平均升高（均P＜0.05）。NAC干预后细胞ROS表达水平降低（P＜0.05）,CHOP/GRP78相对表达量降低（P＜0.05）,IL-6、IL-8和PGE2分泌水平降低（P＜0.05）。结论PM诱导的支气管上皮细胞炎症中存在内质网应激现象,其调控机制为氧化应激。     

Apocynin改善1型糖尿病小鼠心脏功能的实验研究

目的探讨NADPH氧化酶选择性抑制剂Apocynin对1型糖尿病小鼠心脏功能的影响及其作用机制。方法44只8周龄雄性C57小鼠随机分为正常对照组（n=6）、Apocynin对照组（n=6）、1型糖尿病组（n=16）及1型糖尿病Apocynin治疗组（n=16）。小鼠腹腔注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）建立1型糖尿病动物模型。实验于8周末结束,记录实验小鼠生存率、测量小鼠体质量及左室质量,并计算左室质量指数。运用超声心动图技术与Langendorff灌注系统检测小鼠心脏功能;Real—time RT—PCR技术测定心肌组织α-肌球蛋白重链（α—MHC）、β-肌球蛋白重链（β—MHC）、心房钠尿肽（ANP）以及Ⅰ型（ColⅠ）和Ⅲ型（ColⅢ）胶原的表达。结果①Apocynin能提高糖尿病小鼠生存率,降低糖尿病小鼠左室质量指数（P〈0．01）;②Apocynin能明显改善糖尿病小鼠心脏功能,增加心脏左室射血分数、左室短轴缩短率和＋dp／dt、-dp／dt（P〈0．01）;③Apocynin能显著降低糖尿病小鼠心肌ANPmRNA表达和B／d—MHC比值（P〈0．01）;④Apocynin能降低糖尿病小鼠心肌组织ColⅠ和ColⅢ胶原的表达（P〈0．01）。结论Apocynin能显著改善1型糖尿病小鼠的心脏功能,其机制与降低心肌肥大特征性基因ANP表达和β／α—MHC比值以及减少心肌ColⅠ、ColⅢ胶原表达密切相关。     

黄连碱对人脐静脉内皮细胞内质网应激的影响

目的 建立人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVECs）内质网应激细胞模型,观察黄连碱对HUVECs以及内质网模型细胞生长活性的影响,对CHOP、GRP78基因以及蛋白表达的影响。方法 使用10 μg/mL的衣霉素诱导HUVECs 18 h后,加入不同浓度的黄连碱再处理24 h。CCK8法检测不同浓度黄连碱对HUVECs的活性影响以及黄连碱对衣霉素诱导后的HUVECs的活性影响;采用RT-RCR法比较各组细胞中CHOP、GRP78的mRNA的表达情况;采用Western blotting和细胞免疫荧光法比较各组细胞中CHOP,GRP78的蛋白表达情况。结果 随着黄连碱浓度的增加,在1~20 μmol/L范围内的黄连碱对HUVECs的活性无影响,浓度为20 μmol/L黄连碱作用24 h后,对衣霉素诱导的HUVECs活性具有保护作用（P < 0.01）。加入衣霉素诱导18 h,HUVECs中CHOP、GRP78 mRNA水平的表达增高（P < 0.01）,再加入黄连碱继续诱导24 h后,黄连碱可以抑制衣霉素所诱导的HUVECs中CHOP、GRP78 mRNA水平的表达增高（P < 0.01）。加入衣霉素诱导18 h,HUVECs中CHOP、GRP78蛋白水平的表达增高（P < 0.01）,再加入黄连碱继续诱导24 h后,发现黄连碱可以抑制衣霉素所诱导的HUVECs中CHOP、GRP78蛋白水平的表达增高（P < 0.01）,与衣霉素诱导组相比数据具有统计学意义,细胞免疫荧光染色结果与Western blotting结果相似。结论 黄连碱可以减轻由衣霉素诱导的HUVECs过度内质网应激反应,并可提高受损细胞的活性;并可通过下调CHOP、GRP78的表达改善HUVECs过度内质网应激反应。     

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.