舒氧康对急性肺损伤家兔肺iNOS和eNOS表达的影响

目的：观察舒氧康对急性肺损伤（ALI）家兔肺iN-OS和eNOS表达的影响并探讨其保护机制.方法：45只家兔随机分为对照组（A组）,肺损伤组（B组）和舒氧康组（C组）,每组15只,B和C组采用撞击致急性肺损伤模型,C组同时给予舒氧康静滴,分别在0,1,2,3,4h时间点行血气分析,4h后处死动物,测定肺湿干比（W/D）、血清NO、肺组织丙二醛（MDA）和髓过氧化物酶（MPO）含量,免疫组化法检测肺组织iNOS和eNOS表达.结果：与A组相比,B组损伤后PaO2,SpO2和PaCO2显著降低（P〈0.05）,肺iNOS表达显著增强,eNOS表达明显降低（P〈0.05）,肺W/D、血清NO、肺MDA和MPO含量显著增高（P〈0.05）.C组与B组比较,PaO2、SpO2和PaCO2明显升高（P〈0.05）,肺iNOS表达显著降低,eNOS表达明显升高（P〈0.05）,肺W/D、血清NO、肺MDA和MPO含量明显降低（P〈0.05）.结论：舒氧康通过抑制肺iNOS异常高表达和增加eNOS表达对急性肺损伤有保护作用.     

血必净对油酸型急性肺损伤家兔血清炎症因子与肺水转运的影响

目的:通过检测血必净注射液对油酸型急性肺损伤(ALI)家兔血清炎症因子与肺水转运的变化,探讨血必净对ALI的保护作用。方法:30只家兔随机分为三组,正常对照组、单纯急性肺损伤(ALI)组和血必净治疗组(油酸型ALI+血必净治疗),通过制备成油酸型急性肺损伤(ALI)家兔模型后,即进行血必净静脉注射,观察不同时段血清炎症因子(TNF-α、IL-6)的变化及检测左肺叶组织湿质量/干质量(W/D)值。结果:油酸致伤后1h、12h、24h、36h、48h血清TNF-α、IL-6浓度显著增高,尤其以TNF-α增幅最大,应用血必净注射液后与对照组比较血清TNF-α、IL-6活性明显改善(P0.05),W/D值明显下降,渗出减轻。结论:炎症因子在油酸型急性肺损伤(ALI)过程中起重要作用,血必净注射液可能通过抑制TNF-α、IL-6过量分泌,减轻肺损伤,具有防治ALI作用,可有效缓解油酸所致肺损伤。     

山莨菪碱对创伤性肺损伤炎症反应的干预研究

目的：探讨山莨菪碱(654-2)对创伤性急性肺损伤(ALI)炎症反应影响及可能的治疗机制。方法：采用家兔创伤性ALI模型，实验动物随机分为正常对照(C)组(8只)、创伤模型(M)组(8只)、654-2干预(T)组(8只)，进行各组动物动脉血气、肺温/干(U/D)比值，血浆和支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中肿瘤坏死因子。(TNF-кB)、白细胞介素6(IL-6)含量及BALF中C3a、C5a、白蛋白含量、中性粒细胞数量的测定。用凝胶电泳迁移率改变分析法(EMSA)检测肺泡巨噬细胞(PAM)核提取物中核因子-кB(NF-кB)的活性。并进行肺组织的病理学光镜检查。结果：654-2治疗能明显改善创伤性ALI动物的血气，减少肺W／D值，不同程度降低外周血TNF-кB、IL-6及BALF中TNF-кB、IL-6、C3a、C5a、白蛋白含量和白细胞数量，明显抑制创伤组PAM中NF-кB的活性，减轻肺组织的损伤程度。结论：山莨菪碱发挥抗炎和防治创伤性ALI的作用与其对NF-кB的活性和炎性介质的调节作用密切相关。     

阿奇霉素对急性肺损伤大鼠炎症介质及炎症细胞的影响

目的:应用油酸(oleic acid,OA)静脉注射复制大鼠急性肺损伤(acute lung injury,ALI)模型,探讨支气管肺泡灌洗液(bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,BALF)中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、多形核白细胞(poly-morphonuclear leukocyte,PMN)在油酸性肺损伤中的变化规律;探讨阿奇霉素对OA致ALI大鼠的治疗作用及可能的作用机制,为临床治疗ALI提供一定的理论和实验依据.方法:应用OA静脉注射复制大鼠ALI模型.将90只SD大鼠随机分为3组:生理盐水对照组(NC组),油酸致急性肺损伤组(0A组),阿奇霉素治疗组(AZI组).每组分别在1、3、7 d抽取动脉血并放血迅速处死.测定动脉血氧分压(PaO2)、动脉血二氧化碳分压(PaCO2)、pH值、左上肺测湿/干重比(wet/dry weight,W/D值),下段行病理检查.右肺灌洗,测BALF中总蛋白(total proteins,TP)、TNF-α含量,并对BALF中炎症细胞进行分类计数.结果:与NC组比较.OA组各时间点W/D值、BALF中的TNF-α、TP及炎症细胞计数显著升高(P<0.01),PaO2降低(P<0.01),肺组织病理见充血、水肿、出血、炎性细胞浸润等急性肺损伤表现;AZI组与OA组相比,病理学观察肺组织病变减轻.PaO2升高(P<0.05),W/D、TNF-α、PMN均降低(P<0.05).结论:阿奇霉素可以减轻肺微血管渗漏,改善大鼠肺换气功能,降低BALF中TNF-α、PMN水平,调节肺部炎症介质及炎症细胞,对ALI有一定的治疗作用.     

黄芪对脂多糖诱导大鼠急性肺损伤^p38 MAPK表达的影响

目的探讨脂多糖（LPS）诱导急性肺损伤（ALI）大鼠肺组织磷酸化p^38 MAPK表达的变化以及黄芪对其之影响。方法静脉注射LPS复制大鼠ALI模型。随机分成3组：正常对照组、ALI组和黄芪组。采用蛋白质印迹检测肺组织磷酸化p^38 MAPK的表达,并观察大鼠动脉血氧分压（PaO2）、肺湿/干重比（W/D）、支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）白蛋白、血清TNF-α的变化以及肺组织病理学改变。结果LPS诱导大鼠ALI时肺组织磷酸化p^38 MAPK的表达较正常对照组显著增加（P〈0.01）。黄芪注射液可显著抑制大鼠肺组织磷酸化p^38MAPK表达,降低W/D、BALF白蛋白以及血清TNF-α含量,使下降的PaO2回升,减轻肺组织病理学损伤。结论ALI时肺组织p^38 MAPK磷酸化表达增加;黄芪注射液对内毒素性肺损伤有保护作用,其机制可能与抑制磷酸化p^38 MAPK的表达有关。     

人胎盘间充质干细胞降低肺泡上皮屏障通透性缓解小鼠急性肺损伤

目的 探讨人胎盘间充质干细胞（hPMSCs）对急性肺损伤（ALI）小鼠肺泡上皮屏障通透性的影响。方法将24只雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分成对照组、ALI组、hPMSCs组,每组8只,气管滴注脂多糖（LPS）制备ALI模型,12 h后,hPMSCs组尾静脉注射hPMSCs,对照组尾静脉注射等量DMEM,24 h后处死小鼠,收集肺组织。苏木-伊红（HE）染色观察各组小鼠肺组织病理改变并评分,检测肺组织湿干重比（W/D）,计算肺泡灌洗液（BALF）与血清中伊文思蓝的比值检测肺泡上皮屏障通透性,免疫组化、Western blot检测肺组织紧密连接蛋白occludin的表达。结果 hPMSCs成脂及成软骨诱导分化培养后染色均呈阳性,其表面特异性抗原CD73高表达,未检测到造血标记物CD34的表达。与对照组相比,ALI组肺组织病理损伤严重,肺损伤评分、W/D值、肺泡上皮屏障通透性均增加（P均<0.01）,免疫组化和Western blot显示occludin蛋白表达降低（P<0.001）。与ALI组相比,hPMSCs组肺组织病理损伤减轻,肺损伤评分、W/D值、肺泡上皮屏障通透性均降低...     

不同因素致急性肺损伤大鼠TNF-α、IL-6的释放水平及地塞米松的影响

目的 探讨TNF-α和IL-6在急性肺损伤中（ALI）的作用和地塞米松的治疗意义。方法 本实验通过静脉注射内毒素（LPS）和盲肠结扎穿孔（CLP）复制大鼠ALI模型,观察在这两种ALI模型早期,动脉血氧分压(PaO2)和肺湿干重比率（W/D）、血浆促炎症细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6的变化,以及地塞米松干预的影响。结果 （1）在LPS刺激12h和CLP24h大鼠PaO2均显著降低。W/D显著增加,在同一时相LPS组损伤较CLP组重;地塞米松能减轻两组ALI模型大鼠PaO2的降低和W/D的增加。（2）两种模型大鼠血浆中TNF-α的含量先迅速增加,后逐渐降低,IL-6的浓度逐渐增加;LPS组TNF-α的峰值浓度出现较CLP组早,IL-6的浓度高于CIP组;地塞米松能显著降低两组模型中TNF-α的峰值浓度和IL-6浓度的增加。结论 血浆TNF-α峰值浓度出现的早晚和IL-6浓度的水平可能反映损伤的严重程度。糖皮质激素对LPS刺激和CLP大鼠ALI有保护作用,可能在ALI早期有治疗应用价值。     

血管紧张素转化酶2在内毒素诱导大鼠急性肺损伤中的作用

目的探讨血管紧张素转化酶2（ACE2）在内毒素（LPS）诱导大鼠急性肺损伤（ALI）中的治疗作用。方法 24只Wistar大鼠随机分为三组：对照组、ALI组和ACE2治疗组（ACE2组）。LPS静脉注射法复制大鼠ALI建立模型。ACE2组在接受LPS静脉注射后立即给予腹腔注射重组大鼠ACE2 0.1 mg/kg。于术后2 h取大鼠动脉血,全自动动脉血气分析仪测定动脉血气;测肺组织湿重/干重（W/D）比值;酶联免疫吸附试验法（ELISA）测定各组大鼠肺组织中TNF-α、IL-8和IL-1β含量;光学显微镜观察肺组织病理形态学改变。结果成功复制了大鼠LPS肺损伤模型。ACE2干预后可以明显改善ALI大鼠动脉血氧和水平（P〈0.05）、降低W/D比值（P〈0.05）、降低肺组织匀浆内TNF-α、IL-8和IL-1β质量浓度;改善ALI大鼠肺组织损伤及病理评分。结论 ACE2对大鼠LPS诱导肺损伤有治疗作用。     

依达拉奉对脓毒血症大鼠急性肺损伤的保护机制研究

目的探讨依达拉奉对脓毒血症致急性肺损伤(ALI)的保护机制。方法将60只雄性SD大鼠随机分3组:对照组(NS组)、模型组(LPS组)及依达拉奉治疗组(ED组),每组20只。LPS和ED组采用尾静脉注射LPS(10mg·kg-1)建立ALI模型,ED组随后立即尾静脉注射依达拉奉(5mg·kg-1)。LPS注射6h后抽取动脉血行血气分析测氧分压(PaO2)、二氧化碳分压(PaCO2)、氧合指数(PaO2/FiO2),提取肺组织测定干/湿重比值(D/W),观察肺组织病理改变,测定血浆中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素6(IL-6)含量。结果与NS组比较,LPS组肺组织D/W、动脉血气测得PaO2、PaCO2、PaO2/FiO2显著下降,肺损伤病理评分及血浆TNF-α、IL-6升高(P<0.05)。与LPS比较,ED组肺组织D/W、动脉血气测得PaO2、PaCO2、PaO2/FiO2升高,肺损伤病理评分及血浆TNF-α、IL-6明显下降(P<0.05),但仍高于NS组(P<0.05)。结论依达拉奉对急性肺损伤具有保护作用,其机制可能是通过清除肺内氧自由基,减少炎性细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6产生。     

盐酸戊乙奎醚和山莨菪碱对"二次打击"大鼠急性肺损伤保护作用的比较

目的 观察比较盐酸戊乙奎醚和山莨菪碱对"失血性休克-内毒素"二次打击大鼠急性肺损伤（ALI）的保护作用。方法 健康Wistar 大鼠54只,随机分为6组（n=9）,对照组(C组)、二次打击ALI模型组(M组)、山莨菪碱5 mg/kg组(A1组)、山莨菪碱10 mg/kg组（A2组）、盐酸戊乙奎醚1 mg/kg组(P1组)和盐酸戊乙奎醚2 mg/kg（P2组）。在失血性休克首次打击的基础上,静脉注射内毒素（LPS）2 mg/kg,作为第二次打击建立ALI模型。A1组、A2组、P1组和P2组,在模型建立1 h后分别经股静脉注射山莨菪碱5、10 mg/kg、盐酸戊乙奎醚1 mg/kg、2 mg/kg,C组和M组分别给予等量的生理盐水。给药2 h后放血处死动物,股动脉取血测定血清白细胞介素-1(IL-1)、白细胞介素-8(IL-8)、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）含量。测定肺组织湿干质量比（W/D）,髓过氧化物酶（MPO）及超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性,光镜下观察肺组织形态学改变。结果 A1组、A2组、P1组、P2组,血清IL-1、IL-8、 TNF-α含量和肺组织W/D、MPO活性均明显高于C组（P <0.01）,低于M组（P <0.05）;肺组织SOD活性明显低于C组（P <0.01）,高于M组（P <0.05）。与A1组比较,A2组血清IL-1、IL-8、TNF-α含量、肺组织W/D、MPO活性均明显降低（p <0.05),SOD活性稍高但差异无统计学意义(p >0.05)。与P2组比较,P1组血清IL-1、IL-8、TNF-α含量和肺组织W/D、MPO活性均明显降低（p <0.05),肺组织SOD活性明显升高（p <0.05)。P1组血清IL-1、IL-8、TNF-α含量和肺组织W/D与A2组相比均明显降低（p <0.05),两组肺组织SOD和MPO活性差异无统计学意义(p >0.05)。光镜观察,A1组、A2组、P1组、P2组肺组织病理学变化较M组明显减轻,P1组和A2组减轻更明显。结论 盐酸戊乙奎醚和山莨菪碱对"失血性休克-内毒素"二次打击大鼠急性肺损伤有不同程度的保护作用, 山莨菪碱10 mg/kg组优于5 mg/kg组,盐酸戊乙奎醚1 mg/kg组优于2 mg/kg组。相对而言,盐酸戊乙奎醚1 mg/kg组肺保护作用优于山莨菪碱10 mg/kg组。     

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.