银杏叶提取物EGb761对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后细胞凋亡及Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达的影响

目的:探讨EGb761对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后细胞凋亡及Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达的影响。方法:48只SD雄性大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、EGb761低剂量组及EGb761高剂量组,每组12只。应用线栓法制备大鼠大脑中动脉缺血模型,TTC染色法测定脑梗死体积,应用TUNEL法检测神经元凋亡,应用Western blot方法检测Bcl-2及Bax蛋白表达。结果:与模型组比较,EGb761高低剂量组脑梗死体积显著减少(P<0.05),神经元凋亡数显著减少(P<0.01),Bax蛋白表达明显减少(P<0.05,P<0.01),Bcl-2/Bax比值明显升高(P<0.01);EGb761高剂量组Bcl-2蛋白表达明显增多(P<0.01)。EGb761高低剂量组间Bcl-2/Bax比值差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:EGb761能显著增加脑缺血再灌注后Bcl-2蛋白表达,减少Bax蛋白表达,抑制神经元凋亡,减少脑梗死体积,对脑缺血再灌注损伤发挥保护作用。     

Bcl-2和Bax蛋白在大鼠脑缺血预处理脑组织中的表达及意义

目的:探讨Bcl-2和Bax蛋白在大鼠局灶性脑缺血预处理脑组织中的表达及意义.方法:线栓法阻断SD大鼠大脑中动脉建立脑缺血预处理及脑缺血模型.TTC染色法测量脑梗死体积,免疫组织化学检测前脑皮质、基底核Bcl-2和Bax蛋白的表达.结果:与缺血组相比,预处理缺血组脑梗死体积明显减小(P＜0.01),Bcl-2蛋白表达细胞数明显增加(P＜0.01),Bax蛋白表达减少(P＜0.05).结论:缺血预处理诱导Bcl-2蛋白表达增加和Bax蛋白表达下降可能是缺血预处理诱导抗凋亡、产生脑保护机制的原因之一.     

颈交感干离断对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤内质网应激相关因子的影响

目的 采用颈交感干离断(transection of cervical sympathetic trunk, TCST)方法模拟星状神经节阻滞(stellate ganglion block,SGB),观察其对局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠皮质区神经元凋亡以及内质网应激相关因子GRP78和CHOP表达的影响.方法 健康雄性SD大鼠150只,按随机数字表法分成3组:假手术组(sham组)、再灌注模型组(I/R组)、治疗组(T组),每组50只.用线栓法行大脑中动脉栓塞(MCAO)建立大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤模型.治疗组行大脑中动脉栓塞后立即行TCST.应用免疫组化及实时荧光定量PCR方法检测脑缺血再灌注后不同时间点缺血周围区GRP78和CHOP的表达;TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡.结果 I/R组和T组皮质区神经元凋亡指数较sham组显著增高(P<0.01);与I/R组相比,T组再灌注12、24、48、72 h凋亡指数明显降低(P<0.05, P<0.01).I/R组和T组GRP78、CHOP mRNA和蛋白表达较sham组明显上调(P<0.01);与I/R组相比,除72 h 外,T组6、12、24、48 h GRP78、CHOP mRNA 和蛋白的表达量明显降低(P<0.05,P<0.01),但仍高于sham组(P<0.05).结论 TCST对大鼠局灶性脑缺血损伤具有保护作用,其作用机制可能与改善内质网应激状态、降低内质网应激相关凋亡途径,从而发挥抗凋亡作用有关.     

阿托伐他汀对兔心肌缺血再灌注诱导细胞凋亡的影响

目的探讨阿托伐他汀对兔心肌缺血再灌注诱导的细胞凋亡及Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达的影响。方法30只雄性大白兔,随机分为假手术组(sham组)、缺血再灌注组(I/R组)及缺血再灌注加阿托伐他汀组(I/R AT组)。采用结扎、开放兔冠状动脉的方法,制作兔心肌缺血再灌注模型(缺血40min,再灌注2h),采用原位末端标记法(TUNEL法)检测心肌细胞凋亡情况,采用免疫组织化学法检测心肌中Bcl-2、Bax蛋白的表达情况。结果①I/R组凋亡指数明显大于sham组(P<0.01),而I/R AT组凋亡指数较I/R组显著减少(P<0.01)。②I/R组及I/R AT组Bcl-2蛋白表达百分率显著高于sham组(均P<0.01),且I/R AT组的Bcl-2蛋白表达也较I/R组明显上调(P<0.01);I/R组及I/R AT组的Bax蛋白表达明显强于sham组(均P<0.01),但I/R AT组的Bax蛋白表达弱于I/R组(P<0.01)。结论阿托伐他汀可以抑制心肌缺血再灌注诱导的细胞凋亡,减少心肌细胞凋亡数目,其机制可能与其上调心肌缺血再灌注时Bcl-2蛋白的表达、抑制Bax蛋白的表达有关。     

缺血预处理对大鼠缺血再灌注小肠能量代谢、Bcl-2和Bax表达的影响

目的:探讨缺血预处理对小肠细胞能量代谢和凋亡基因bcl-2,bax表达的影响及它们与肠细胞凋亡的内在联系. 方法:健康SD大鼠36只,雌雄不限,随机分为3组,空白对照组(C组)、缺血预处理组(IPC-I/R组)和缺血再灌注组(I/R组),每组12只. 按Murry法制备缺血预处理模型,I/R组用血管钳夹闭肠系膜前动脉1 h,再灌注2 h, IP-I/R组用血管钳夹闭肠系膜前动脉10 min松开10 min,反复4次,余同I/R组. 高效液相色谱法测定ATP,ADP含量;免疫组化检测Bcl-2及Bax蛋白的表达,每组选24个视野分别测量A值. TUNEL法检测凋亡的小肠细胞并计算凋亡指数. 结果:C和IPC-I/R组ATP含量高于I/R组(P<0.05);IPC-I/R组Bcl-2 A值高于C组和I/R组(P<0.01),I/R组Bcl-2 A值低于C组(P<0.05);I/R组Bax A值明显高于C组和IPC-I/R组(P<0.01),且IPC-I/R组高于C组(P<0.05);与C组比较,I/R组和IPC-I/R组凋亡指数较高(P<0.01, P<0.05);与I/R组相比,IPC-I/R组凋亡指数较低(P<0.01). 结论:缺血预处理能在一定程度上延缓ATP降解并调控Bcl-2及Bax蛋白的表达、抑制缺血再灌注介导的小肠细胞凋亡.     

吡那地尔对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后caspase-3及Bcl-2蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨吡那地尔对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后Caspase-3及Bcl-2蛋白表达的影响。方法40只Wistar雄性大鼠随机分为假手术组、对照组、KATP开放剂治疗组(开放剂组)及KATP开放剂 阻断剂治疗组(阻断剂组)。应用线栓法制备大鼠大脑中动脉缺血模型(MCAO),应用TTC染色检测脑梗死体积,应用TUNEL法检测神经元凋亡,应用免疫组化方法检测caspase-3及Bcl-2蛋白表达。结果开放剂组脑梗死体积显著小于对照组和阻断剂组(P<0.01),对照组与阻断剂组之间差异无显著性(P>0.05);开放剂组神经元凋亡数较对照组和阻断剂组显著减少(P<0.01)。对照组与阻断剂组之间差异无显著性(P>0.05);开放剂组caspase-3蛋白表达显著少于对照组和阻断剂组(P<0.01),对照组与阻断剂组之间差异无显著性(P>0.05);开放剂组Bcl-2蛋白表达显著多于对照组和阻断剂组(P<0.01),对照组与阻断剂组之间差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论KATP通道开放剂能显著减轻脑缺血再灌注后脑梗死体积、减少Caspase-3蛋白表达、增加Bcl-2蛋白表达、抑制神经元凋亡,对脑缺血再灌注损伤发挥保护作用。     

电针预处理通过抑制AMPK-Beclin1/Vps34通路介导的细胞自噬减轻脑缺血再灌注损伤

目的:探讨电针预处理治疗对大鼠脑缺血再灌注(ischemia/reperfusion,I/R)损伤的影响及其相关机制。方法 :将健康成年雄性SD大鼠75只随机分为Sham组,脑缺血再灌注组(I/R组),电针预处理并缺血再灌注组(EA+I/R组),脑纹状体感染AAV-VC(空载体病毒)后再给予电针预处理并缺血再灌注组(AAV-VC+EA+I/R组)和脑纹状体感染AAV-Beclin1(过表达Beclin1病毒)后再给予电针预处理并缺血再灌注组(AAV-Beclin1+EA+I/R组),每组15只大鼠。对各组大鼠脑中动脉梗死(middle cerebral artery occlusion,MCAO)术后1、2、3 d进行神经功能评分;在MCAO术后7 d处死大鼠,TTC染色以测定脑梗死体积;TUNEL染色法检测脑细胞凋亡状况;免疫印迹法检测自噬相关分子LC3-Ⅰ、LC3-Ⅱ、AMPK和Beclin1的蛋白表达水平;免疫共沉淀检测Beclin1与Vps34的相互作用。结果:与Sham组相比,I/R组脑梗死体积与神经行为学评分明显增加(均P<0.05)。机制研究显示缺血再灌注后LC3-...     

胰岛素样生长因子-1对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后神经细胞凋亡及Bcl-2,Bax蛋白表达的影响

目的研究胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后神经细胞凋亡及Bcl-2,Bax蛋白表达的影响,探讨IGF-1对脑缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用机制.方法制作大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注模型.30只Wistar雄性大鼠被随机分为假手术组、缺血组及IGF-1治疗组.于缺血10min后经尾静脉给予IGF-1 10μg,应用TTC染色观察梗死灶体积,应用免疫组化染色和TUNEL法检测Bcl-2,Bax蛋白表达及神经凋亡细胞.结果与缺血组比较,IGF-1治疗组梗死体积明显减少(P＜0.01),凋亡细胞数明显减少(P＜0.01),Bcl-2蛋白表达明显升高(P＜0.01),Bax蛋白表达明显降低(P＜0.01).结论IGF-1通过增加Bcl-2蛋白表达,减少Bax蛋白表达,减少神经细胞凋亡,对脑缺血再灌注损伤起保护作用.     

缺血预处理对大鼠脑缺血再灌注自噬的影响

目的观察缺血预处理后不同间隔时间对大鼠脑缺血再灌注海马自噬的影响。方法参照ZeaLonga线栓法制作大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注模型,将实验动物随机分为3组:假手术组(Sham组,n=10)、缺血再灌注组(I/R组,n=10)、缺血预处理组(IPC组,n=30),缺血预处理组再按缺血预处理后不同间隔时间分为1 d、3 d、5d 3个亚组,每组10只。缺血2 h再灌注24 h后用免疫组织化学法检测自噬相关蛋白BECLIN I、LC3-II的表达情况,透射电镜观察神经细胞中自噬和溶酶体的激活以及细胞超微结构的变化。结果(1)神经功能障碍评分:与Sham组比较,I/R组及IPC组均出现不同程度神经功能障碍(P<0.01),IPC组症状评分低于I/R组(P<0.05)。(2)脑梗死体积:与Sham组比较,I/R组及IPC组均有不同程度梗死灶(P<0.01);IPC组脑梗死灶体积明显低于I/R组(P<0.01),3 d亚组梗死体积少于1 d、5 d亚组(P<0.01)。(3)免疫组织化学染色:与Sham组比较,I/R组及IPC组BECLIN 1及LC3-II阳性表达增多(P<0.01),IPC组阳性表达显著低于I/R组(P<0.01),IPC 3 d亚组阳性表达低于1 d、5 d亚组(P<0.01)。(4)脑组织超微病理形态改变:Sham组细胞正常;I/R组及IPC组可见数量不等、处于不同时期的自噬体和或自噬溶酶体,线粒体肿胀,膜破裂,可见空泡,各级溶酶体显著增多,可见变形次级溶酶体,高尔基体分裂;IPC组自噬体及各级溶酶体数量较I/R组减少,各IPC亚组间自噬体及各级溶酶体数量无可见变化。结论缺血预处理可能通过下调自噬水平减轻缺血再灌注损伤,缺血预处理3 d优于1 d、5 d。     

丁苯酞氯化钠注射液预处理对局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠GRP78及caspase-12表达的影响

目的:探讨丁苯酞氯化钠注射液预处理对局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)及caspase-12表达的影响.方法:健康成年雄性SD大鼠36只,SPF级,体质量260～280 g,月龄2～3月,采用随机数字表法,将其随机分为3组:假手术组(S组)、局灶性脑缺血再灌注组(I/R组)及丁苯酞氯化钠注射液预处理组(NBP组).I/R组和NBP组大鼠采用改良线栓法阻断右侧大脑中动脉2h,再灌注24 h,制备局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤模型;S组仅分离血管.NBP组于缺血前1h经尾静脉注射NBP注射液2.5 mg/kg;I/R组经尾静脉注射等容量生理盐水.各组大鼠于再灌注24 h时行神经功能缺陷评分,随后断头取脑组织,采用TUNEL法计数凋亡神经细胞,计算凋亡指数;免疫组化法检测缺血侧皮质GRP78及caspase-12表达.结果:与S组比较,I/R组和NBP组神经功能缺陷评分升高的大鼠例数增多(P＜0.01),神经细胞凋亡指数升高,GRP78及caspase-12表达上调(P＜0.05);与I/R组比较,NBP组神经功能缺陷评分升高的大鼠例数减少,神经细胞凋亡指数降低,GRP78表达上调,caspase-12表达下调(P＜0.05).结论:丁苯酞氯化钠注射液预处理可通过上调GRP78表达和下调caspase-12表达,减轻大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤.     

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.