斯钙素1激活PI3K/Akt/eNOS通路促进内皮祖细胞增殖和迁移

目的 研究斯钙素1(stanniocalcin 1,STC1)对内皮祖细胞(endothelial precusor cells, EPCs)增殖和迁移的影响并探讨其机制.方法 密度梯度离心法分离、培养后,采用荧光双染法鉴定SD大鼠脾源性EPCs.不同浓度人重组斯钙素1(recombinant human stanniocalcin 1,rhSTC 1)处理EPCs,结合siRNA技术干扰EPCs STC1表达,检测EPCs增殖能力及迁移能力的变化;观察STC1对蛋白激酶B(protein kinase B,PKB/Akt)、内皮型一氧化氮合酶(endothelial nitric oxide synthase,eNOS)及其磷酸化水平的影响;然后观察使用磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase,PI3K)特异性抑制剂LY294002和eNOS特异性抑制剂L-NAME预处理的EPCs对rhSTC1的反应.结果 荧光双染法鉴定EPCs阳性率约为88.5％;外源性给予rhSTC1呈浓度依赖性的促进EPCs增殖与迁移;而干扰内源性STC1的表达,则抑制其增殖与迁移;外源性给予rhSTC1增加EPCs中Akt和eNOS的磷酸化水平,而运用PI3K抑制剂(LY294002)和eNOS抑制剂(L-NAME)分别处理EPCs后,rhSTC1诱导的EPCs增殖与迁移能力明显降低.结论 STC1通过激活PI3K/Akt/eNOS信号通路,增强EPCs增殖、迁移能力,为损伤血管的修复提供了新的靶点.     

磷脂酰肌醇3激酶抑制剂对17β-雌二醇作用下Ishikawa、HEC-1A细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的:观察磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)抑制剂LY294002 对17β-雌二醇(E2)作用下子宫内膜癌细胞增殖、凋亡和细胞周期的影响,初步探讨阻断PI3K/Akt通路治疗子宫内膜癌的可能性. 方法:应用MTT法(10-10 mol/L、10-8 mol/L、10-6 mol/L、10-4 mol/L的E2或10-6 mol/L E2及0.1 μmol/L、1 μmol/L、10 μmol/L、50 μmol/L的LY294002)、流式细胞技术(0 mol/L、10-8 mol/L、10-6 mol/L E2或10-6 mol/L E2及0 μmol/L、1 μmol/L、50 μmol/L LY294002)观察LY294002对E2作用下子宫内膜癌细胞Ishikawa、HEC-1A增殖、凋亡和细胞周期的影响.结果:随着E2浓度的增加,Ishikawa细胞A(570 nm)值逐渐升高并呈时间依赖性(F=3.915,P=0.043),G0-G1期比例下降(F=50.926,P≤0.001),S期比例升高(F=17.836,P=0.001);而HEC-1A细胞周期各期比例无变化(P＞0.05).随着 LY294002浓度的增加,2种细胞A(570 nm)值逐渐下降并呈现时间依赖性(F=10.398,P=0.001;F=5.542,P=0.043),而且G0-G1期比例(F=32.024, P≤0.005;F=14.725,P≤0.017)升高,S期(F=30.132, P≤0.001;F=24.72,P≤0.01)比例下降.50 μmol/L和100 μmol/L LY294002作用2种细胞48 h后,凋亡细胞百分比均增加(P＜0.001).结论:LY294002可以抑制E2对子宫内膜癌细胞的增殖,促使其发生凋亡,抑制细胞周期进展,使细胞周期停滞在G1期.PI3K/Akt信号传导通路可作为治疗子宫内膜癌的新靶点.     

辛伐他汀对细菌脂多糖共孵育内皮祖细胞功能的影响

 目的　观察不同浓度辛伐他汀对与LPS共孵育人内皮祖细胞( endothelial progenitor cells, EPCs) 增殖、迁移、黏附功能的影响。 方法　采用密度梯度离心法从成人外周静脉血获取单个核细胞,将其接种在人纤维连接蛋白包被培养板上,培养7天后,收集贴壁细胞,通过激光共聚焦显微镜鉴定为正在分化EPCs。EPCs传代培养3天后,消化搜集贴壁细胞,调节细胞浓度至105/mL ,将等量EPCs接种到96孔培养板上,随机分为5组（1）空白对照组：仅使用EGM-2MV标准液培养48小时。（2）LPS对照组：使用EGM-2MV标准液与LPS液（100 ng/mL）共同培养48小时。（3）LPS干预后辛伐他汀干预3组：使用LPS液培养24小时后,予细胞换液,分别加入0.1umol/L、1.0umol/L、10.0umol/L不同浓度辛伐他汀液培养24小时。应用MTT 比色法、改良的Boyden 小室观察其增殖、迁移、黏附功能。结果　人EPCs与LPS共孵育后其增殖显著降低（p=0.009）,黏附、迁移能力改变不明显（p=0.279、p=0.656）。加入不同浓度辛伐他汀后EPCs的增殖、迁移和黏附能力不同程度改善,随辛伐他汀浓度增加,其影响增强,浓度在10.0μmol/L时对EPCs的增殖、迁移、黏附功能影响最大,EPCs增殖、黏附、迁移功能较空白对照组均有改善,其中黏附和迁移功能显著改善（p=0.039,p=0.000）。 结论 EPCs与LPS共孵育其增殖功能显著降低,黏附和迁移能力有所下降。辛伐他汀能使EPCs与LPS共孵育降低的功能改善,随辛伐他汀浓度增加,改善功能增强。     

辛伐他汀影响内皮祖细胞数量、黏附及凋亡的研究

目的细胞水平观察不同浓度辛伐他汀对内皮祖细胞（endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs）功能的影响。方法采用密度梯度离心法从人外周血获取单个核细胞,将其接种在人纤维连接蛋白包被培养板上,培养7天后,收集贴壁细胞,通过激光共聚焦显微镜鉴定,FITC—UEA—I和DiI—acLDL双染色阳性细胞为正在分化EPCs。以不同浓度辛伐他汀（分别为0．0001、0．001、0．01、0．1、1．0umol／L）和EPCs培养。分别采用黏附能力测定实验、碘化丙啶（PI）标记观察辛伐他汀对EPCs黏附与凋亡的影响。结果辛伐他汀显著提高了外周血EPCs的数量、黏附能力,并能抑制其凋亡。辛伐他汀浓度在0．01umol／L时对EPCs的数量、黏附功能和抗凋亡能力影响达到最大。随着药物浓度的继续增大,EPCs的上述功能反呈下降趋势,但0．1umoL／L组仍高于对照组。结论辛伐他汀能增加EPCs数量、黏附能力并能抑制其凋亡。     

PI3K/AKT信号途径在大鼠脑源性神经干细胞中的作用

目的 探讨磷脂酰肌醇-3激酶（phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase,PI3K）/AKT信号途径在体外培养神经干细胞存活、分化中的作用.方法 分为对照组、PI3K特异性抑制剂LY294002组（LY294002浓度分别为2 μmol/L,5 μmol/L,10 μmol/L）;采用间接免疫荧光法检测Nestin、NF-200和GFAP的表达;TUNEL评价细胞凋亡率;Western Blot法检测磷酸化的AKT的表达.结果 随着LY294002浓度增大,神经干细胞的形态变化逐渐明显,而且细胞凋亡率也逐渐增加.低浓度时（2 μmol/L）神经干细胞凋亡率与对照组无显著性差异（P〉0.05）;高浓度时（5 μmol/L、10 μmol/L）神经干细胞凋亡率与对照组、低浓度组有极显著性差异（P〈0.01）.Western Blot结果提示,随着LY294002浓度增大,磷酸化AKT的表达逐渐减弱.结论 本研究提示神经干细胞存活依赖于PI3K/AKT途径的活化,其机制可能是PI3K/AKT活化后,抑制了细胞凋亡事件的发生,但PI3K/AKT途径可能在神经干细胞分化中的作用甚微.     

大鼠神经干细胞中PI3-K/AKT信号转导通路的研究

目的 应用PI3-K特异性阻滞剂LY294002孵育大鼠神经干细胞(NSCs),探讨PI3-K/AKT信号转导通路在NSCs中的作用.方法 体外分离、培养E15～16 胎鼠NSCs,应用不同浓度(0~40 μmol/L)的LY294002孵育NSCs后进行细胞存活(WST-8检测)、增殖(BrdU免疫组织化学鉴定)、分化(β Tubulin-Ⅲ免疫组织化学鉴定)和AKT磷酸化蛋白水平(Western Blotting)的检测.结果 LY294002对NSCs的存活、增殖和分化的影响呈剂量依赖性.在LY294002较高浓度(25、30、35、40 μmol/L)时,NSCs的存活率明显下降(P<0.05);LY294002为30、35、40 μmol/L时,BrdU阳性细胞数明显少于正常对照组(LY294002 0 μmol/L)(P<0.05);LY294002为35、40 μmol/L时,β Tubulin-Ⅲ的阳性细胞数明显少于正常对照组(P<0.05).LY294002 阻断AKT表达的作用呈剂量依赖性.结论 PI3-K/AKT信号转导通路对大鼠NSCs的存活、增殖、分化起重要作用.     

Liver X receptors agonist T0901317 promotes human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation via activation of PI3K/Akt pathway

目的 观察肝X受体(liver X receptors,LXRs)激动剂T0901317对人脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cell,HUVEC)增殖活性的影响.方法 体外分离和培养原代HUVEC,不同浓度的T0901317(0、0.5、2、5 μmol/L)干预HUVEC48h后,采用MTS法检测HUVEC增殖情况;Western blot检测磷酸化Akt( Ser473)及总Akt的表达.结果 T0901317(0～5μmol/L)呈浓度依赖性的促进HUVEC的增殖(P＜0.01)和上调HUVEC中p-Akt-Ser473的表达(P＜0.01),PI3K抑制剂LY294002(10 μmol/L)和基因转录抑制剂放线菌素-D(actinomycin D,Act-D,5μg/ml)可以阻断T0901317(5 μmol/L)上调p-Akt-Sep473的作用(P＜0.01),提示T0901317通过基因转录调节的方式激活PI3K/Akt信号,此外,PI3K抑制剂LY294002(10 μmol/L)预处理可以逆转T0901317(5μmol/L)促HUVEC增殖作用(P＜0.01).结论 LXRs激动剂T0901317可通过激活PI3 K/Akt信号通路增强HUVEC的增殖能力.     

瑞舒伐他汀对晚期内皮祖细胞增生、迁移及凋亡的影响

目的观察不同浓度及不同时间的瑞舒伐他汀(rosuvastatin)对晚期内皮祖细胞(endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs)增生(proliferation)、迁移(migration)和凋亡(apoptosis)的影响。方法采用密度梯度法从大鼠骨髓获取单个核细胞,培养28 d,通过FITC-UEA-I和DiI-acLDL双染色鉴定为正分化晚期EPCs。以不同浓度的瑞舒伐他汀(0.001、0.01、0.1、1.0、10、100μmol/L)和晚期EPCs共培养24 h,分别采用MTT比色法、Transwell小室及Tunel法检测其增生、迁移及凋亡功能;以浓度为0.1μmol/L的瑞舒伐他汀与晚期EPCs分别共培养1、3、6、12、24、48 h,应用同样方法检测其增生、迁移及凋亡功能。结果体外培养7 d时,细胞呈典型长梭形;28 d时,呈铺路石样,并可摄取FITC-UEA-I和DiI-acLDL。不同浓度的瑞舒伐他汀组与对照组相比均可明显地改善晚期EPCs的增生(P<0.05)、迁移(P<0.05)及凋亡(P<0.05)功能,且浓度为0.1μmol/L的瑞舒伐他汀改善细胞功能最强(P<0.05)。当瑞舒伐他汀浓度为0.1μmol/L、共培养不同时间后,与对照组相比可增强晚期EPCs的增生(P<0.05)、迁移(P<0.05)及抗凋亡(P<0.05)功能。结论瑞舒伐他汀能够提高晚期内皮祖细胞的增生、迁移功能,减少细胞的凋亡,且呈浓度及时间依赖性。     

雷帕霉素对大鼠内皮祖细胞增殖、凋亡和NO分泌的影响

目的:观察雷帕霉素对大鼠骨髓来源内皮祖细胞(EPC)增殖、凋亡及一氧化氮(NO)分泌的影响.方法:密度梯度离心法获得SD雄性大鼠的骨髓EPCs,无菌条件下培养6 d;实验分为5组:对照组及不同浓度(0.1, 1.0,10,100 μg/L)雷帕霉素组.各组皆于24 h后收集标本,MTT法检测细胞增殖能力,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率,硝酸还原酶法检测培养液中的NO含量.结果:与对照组相比,1.0～100 μg/L的雷帕霉素可抑制EPCs增殖及NO分泌,并诱导EPCs凋亡(P<0.05),具有浓度依赖性.结论:1.0～100 μg/L的雷帕霉素可抑制EPCs的增殖及NO分泌,并诱导EPCs凋亡.     

ox-LDL诱导人外周血内皮祖细胞凋亡及17β-雌二醇的影响

目的 观察17 β-雌二醇(E2)对氧化型低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)诱导人外周血内皮祖细胞(EPCs)凋亡的影响.方法 密度梯度离心法分离人外周血EPCs,培养7 d后进行实验分组,分为对照组、ox-LDL组及不同浓度E2组,采用不同浓度E2干预24h.采用异硫氰酸荧光素标记的Annexin-v、碘化丙锭(PI)双染色免疫荧光法检测各组EPCs凋亡率.结果 与对照组(12.31±0.34)%相比,ox-LDL诱导组的凋亡率(31.43±1.05)%有显著性增高(P<0.01).而E2抑制ox-LDL诱导的EPCs凋亡,并具有剂量依赖性,在10 nmol/L、50nmol/L、100 nmol/L浓度E2干预24 h后凋亡率依次为(22.39±0.68)%、(20.42±2.56)%、(13.93±0.30)%,差异有显著性(P<0.01).加入ICI182,780组的凋亡率上升至(28.6±1)%,加入LY294002组的凋亡率上升至(25.2±1.0)%,与单纯E2组(13.9±0.30)%的凋亡率比较,差异有显著性(P<0.01).结论 17β-雌二醇具有剂量依赖性抑制OX-LDL诱导EPCs凋亡的作用,其作用机制与雌激素受体及P13K通路有关.     

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.