缬沙坦与螺内酯对肾血管性高血压大鼠左室c-myc表达的影响

目的探讨在高血压左室肥厚形成过程中心肌局部RAAS及机械负荷等不同因素对c-myc表达的作用及机制。方法采用两肾一夹（2K1C）法建立肾血管性高血压大鼠模型,随机分为高血压组（H组）、螺内酯组（螺内酯50mg.kg-1.d-1灌胃,S组）、缬沙坦组（缬沙坦30mg.kg-1.d-1灌胃,V组）、螺内酯和缬沙坦联用组（螺内酯50mg.kg-1.d-1＋缬沙坦30mg.kg-1.d-1灌胃,S＋V组）,并以假手术组大鼠（C组）为对照。采用心脏超声观察各组大鼠心脏结构和功能的变化;用放射免疫法检测各组大鼠心肌组织中血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）、醛固酮的浓度;用免疫组化法检测各组大鼠心肌组织中c-myc的表达情况。结果用药8周后V组、S＋V组的血压、左室收缩期径线室壁应力、舒张末期左室后壁厚度及室间隔厚度均明显低于H组及S组（P〈0.05）。S组、V组、S＋V组心肌组织中AngⅡ低于H组（P〈0.05）。H组与S组左室心肌细胞中c-myc表达量较C组、V组及S＋V组明显上升（P〈0.01）。c-myc蛋白的表达量与用药8周时颈动脉收缩压、左室收缩期径线室壁应力呈正相关（r=0.848,P〈0.01;r=0.580,P〈0.01）,与心肌组织中AngⅡ的浓度不相关。结论机械负荷的增加是诱导肾血管性高血压大鼠左室心肌细胞中c-myc表达持续增强的重要因素,且c-myc的持续表达不依赖于心肌局部AngⅡ的激活。     

螺内酯对肾血管性高血压大鼠左室重构的影响

目的 探讨在高血压左室肥厚(LVI-H)形成过程中螺内酯对肾血管性高血压大鼠心肌纤维化以及左室 重构的影响。方法 采用两肾一夹(2K1C)法在SD大鼠中建立肾血管性高血压大鼠模型,随机分为非药物干预 组(N组)、螺内酯组(螺内酯50 mg·kg-1·d-1灌胃,S组),并以假手术组大鼠(C组)为对照。采用心脏超声观察各 组大鼠心脏结构和功能的变化;放射免疫法检测各组大鼠心肌组织中血管紧张素Ⅱ、醛固酮的浓度;Woessner法 测定心肌组织中胶原含量。结果 治疗8周后S组大鼠与N组相比血压、LVEDD、LVPWD、RWT、LVM、LVMI、 MESS以及mFS等指标较N组稍有下降,但无显著差异(P>0.05)。S组心肌组织中AngⅡ(5.86±3.50 ng／g vs 8.10±2.64 ng／g;P<0.05)、心肌胶原浓度(4.49±0.98 mg／100mg vs 5.46±1.12 mg／100mg;P<0.01)、心肌内血管周 围胶原面积(24.68±4.62％vs 35.28±5.80％;P<0.01)、胶原容积分数(2.18±0.20％vs 3.26±0.28％;P<0.01)均明显 低于N组(P<0.05)。结论 (1)2K1C法可以在SD大鼠中产生明确的肾血管性高血压、LVH,心肌纤维化以及 心功能减退。(2)螺内酯可以抑制肾血管性高血压大鼠心肌纤维化的形成,但对血压以及心脏结构和功能的改变 影响较小。     

缬沙坦与螺内酯对肾血管性高血压大鼠心肌中TGF-β1表达的影响

目的探讨在高血压左室肥厚形成过程中缬沙坦和螺内酯对肾血管性高血压大鼠心肌纤维化以及TGF-B,表达的影响。方法采用两肾一夹的方法建立肾血管性高血压大鼠模型,随机分为高血压组（H组）、螺内酯组（螺内酯50mg·kg^-1·d^-1灌胃,S组）、缬沙坦组（缬沙坦30mg·kg^-1·d^-1灌胃,V组）及螺内酯和缬沙坦联用组（螺内酯50mg·kg^-1·d^1＋缬沙坦30mg·kg^-1·d^-1灌胃,S＋V组）,并以假手术组大鼠（c组）为对照。采用心脏超声观察各组大鼠心脏结构和功能的变化;放射免疫法检测各组大鼠心肌组织中血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）、醛固酮的浓度;Woessner法测定心肌组织中胶原含量。用免疫组化法检测各组大鼠心肌组织中T6F-β,的表达情况。结果用药8周后v组、S＋V组血压、左室收缩期径线室壁应力、舒张末期左室后壁厚度及室间隔厚度均明显低于H组及S组（P〈0．05）,V组、S组、S＋V组血浆AngⅡ均高于H组,其中V组与H组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。S组、V组、S＋V组心肌组织中AngII低于H组（P〈0．05）。V组、S组、S＋V组心肌胶原总量、心肌内血管周围胶原面积、胶原容积分数均明显低于H组（P〈0,05）。H组与S组心肌细胞及间质细胞中TGF-β表达量较C组、V组及S＋V组明显上升（P〈0．01）。结论TGF田。在肾血管性高血压大鼠的心肌细胞及间质细胞中表达明显增强,在血管紧张素Ⅱ1型（AT1）及ALD受体水平上阻断肾素-血管紧张素-醛固酮系统可以使TGF-β。的表达明显下调、心肌纤维化改善,这一作用是独立于机械负荷及室壁应力增加存在的重要因素。     

小剂量联合应用缬沙坦和雷米普利对原发性高血压大鼠体内NO水平及心肌重塑的影响

目的探讨小剂量联合应用血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体(AT1R)拮抗剂(ARB)缬沙坦和血管紧张素转化酶抑制剂(ACEI)雷米普利原发性高血压大鼠(SHR)体内一氧化氮(NO)的改变和对高血压心肌重塑的影响。方法7~8周龄雄性SHR大鼠24只,WKY大鼠8只。SHR大鼠分成4组,每组6只。其中3组分别用缬沙坦(30mg.kg-1.d-1),雷米普利(1mg.kg-1.d-1)和缬沙坦(15mg.kg-1.d-1) 雷米普利(0.5mg.kg-1.d-1)灌胃。3个月后,分别测定血压、心重与体重比值、血浆血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)水平,血清NO值及心肌、脑和肾组织NO值。应用心肌胶原纤维特殊染色法及图像分析评估大鼠心肌纤维化程度。用反转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)方法测定各组大鼠左室心肌ACEmRNA、AT1RmRNA和AT2RmRNA表达情况。结果发现联合应用半量的缬沙坦和雷米普利,比单用组更全面抑制了SHR大鼠心肌AT1RmRNA和ACEmRNA的表达;明显提升了AT2RmRNA与ATlRmR-NA比值;同时增高了局部心肌、脑和肾组织NO的含量。结论小剂量联合应用缬沙坦和雷米普利提升重要脏器的NO值并抑制高血压心肌重塑。     

牛磺酸对肾性高血压大鼠心肌肥厚及心源性血管活性物质间平衡的影响

目的探讨牛磺酸对肾血管性高血压大鼠心肌肥厚及心源性血管活性物质间平衡的影响。方法采用两肾一夹型肾血管性高血压大鼠模型。所有大鼠被随机分为3组(每组20只):假手术对照组;高血压对照组;牛磺酸治疗组。于术后第5周开始给予牛磺酸50m g.kg-1.d-1。采用标准尾套法间接检测清醒大鼠血压。给药8周后,大鼠处死,分离其左室心肌以用于检测左室质量/体质量比、心肌组织的血管紧张素Ⅱ和一氧化氮含量。结果与假手术组大鼠相比,未给药2K1C高血压大鼠血压明显升高,左室质量/体质量比增大,心肌组织血管紧张素Ⅱ含量增加,一氧化氮含量降低。应用牛磺酸治疗则明显抑制了肾动脉狭窄术后大鼠血压的升高,降低了2K1C高血压大鼠左室质量/体质量比和心肌血管紧张素Ⅱ含量,并使心肌一氧化氮含量升高。结论长疗程牛磺酸治疗可抑制肾性高血压大鼠心肌肥厚的发生,其机制可能与调节心肌组织局部血管紧张素Ⅱ与一氧化氮间平衡有关。     

血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂和血管紧张素Ⅱ-1型受体拮抗剂联合应用对内皮型一氧化氮合酶的影响

目的探讨血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂(福辛普利)、血管紧张素Ⅱ1型(ATⅡ1)受体拮抗剂(依贝沙坦)及二者合用对内皮型一氧化氮和酶(eNOS)及心室重构的影响。方法将86只心肌梗死后24h的大鼠分为(1)安慰剂组(22只);(2)福辛普利组(20只,10mg·kg-1·d-1);(3)依贝沙坦组(23只,50mg·kg-1·d-1);(4)福辛普利+依贝沙坦组(21只,10mg·kg-1·d-1+50mg·kg-1·d-1);另设假手术正常对照组(18只)。分别于心肌梗死后2周及6周检查(1)测平均动脉压、左室舒张末压(LVEDP);(2)心室重量/体重;(3)免疫组化及图像分析方法测非梗死区总胶原;(4)RT PCR法测定eNOSmRNA表达及免疫组化方法测eNOS蛋白质表达。结果安慰剂组比假手术组大鼠LVEDP升高(P<0.05),心室重量指数增加(P<0.01),非梗死区总胶原含量2周(6.1%±0.7%比3.6%±0.5%)、6周(5.1%±0.8%比3.6%±0.4%,均P<0.01)明显增加;福辛普利、依贝沙坦及两药合用后这些指标均降低。心肌梗死后6周时依贝沙坦组和联合组总胶原含量较福辛普利组降低更明显(3.4%±0.7%和3.3%±0.7%比4.2%±0.6%,均P<0.05)。两药单独应用eNOSmRNA表达在心肌梗死后2周时高于假手术组和安慰剂组,差异无统计学意义,但在心肌梗死后6周时增加,差异有统计学意义。而联合用药组在2、6周均较其余各组有显著增加(分别     

缬沙坦对大鼠梗死后心肌TNF-α及胶原表达的影响

目的:本研究欲通过观察缬沙坦对大鼠急性心肌梗死后的心肌TNF-α及胶原表达的影响,探讨缬沙坦对心肌梗死后心室重构的作用。方法:建立大鼠急性心肌梗死模型。实验动物随机分为假手术组、对照组、心肌梗死加缬沙坦组(予以缬沙坦30mg·kg-1·d-1灌胃)。15天后将三组动物处死,心肌组织经HE染色作形态学观察,用免疫组化SP法检测心肌组织切片内的TNF-α表达变化,用苦味酸-天狼星红染色检测心肌胶原变化,应用SPSS10.0计算机软件包行统计学分析。结果:心肌组织HE染色:心肌梗死加缬沙坦组和对照组可见心肌纤维溶解断裂、炎症细胞浸润等改变;而且心肌梗死加缬沙坦组较对照组TNF-α及心肌胶原表达量明显降低(p<0.01)。结论:缬沙坦可明显降低心肌梗死后心肌TNF-α及心肌胶原的表达,从而减轻了心室的重构。     

苯那普利对心肌纤维化不同阶段的影响

目的　明确苯那普利对肾血管性高血压大鼠心肌反应性和修复性纤维化的影响。方法　建立肾血管性高血压大鼠模型 ,分别于术后 12周、2 0周予苯那普利 (7.5mg·kg-1·d-1、 15mg·kg-1·d-1)治疗 8周。测量收缩压、左室 /体重、胶原容积分数 (CVF)和血管周围胶原面积 (PVCA)。采用改良的Bergman法测定胶原浓度。聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳测定Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原比值 (Ⅰ /Ⅲ )。结果　低剂量苯那普利在反应性纤维化阶段 ,可逆转左室肥厚和胶原沉积 ;高剂量苯那普利在修复性纤维化阶段 ,虽可逆转左室肥厚 ,但只能减轻胶原堆积。 2种剂量在两个纤维化阶段均使心肌胶原比值恢复正常。结论　苯那普利在心肌纤维化不同阶段 ,可不同程度地消退沉积的胶原。早期治疗有益于逆转心肌纤维化     

霉酚酸酯对阿霉素肾病大鼠的保护作用

目的　探讨霉酚酸酯对阿霉素肾病大鼠的肾保护作用及其机制。方法　采用阿霉素肾病模型 ,分别给予霉酚酸酯 (MMF ,15mg·kg- 1·d- 1)、苯那普利 (3mg·kg- 1·d- 1)或两药联合使用。观察大鼠尿蛋白、血生化指标、肾脏病理改变以及血浆、肾组织血管紧张素Ⅱ (AngⅡ )含量变化。结果　两药均能减少尿蛋白排出 ,减轻肾脏病变。结论　MMF对大鼠阿霉素肾病有一定保护作用 ,其机制并非是通过影响肾局部AngII含量而实现     

牛磺酸对肾性高血压大鼠心肌肥厚及组织局部RAS的影响

目的探讨牛磺酸对肾血管性高血压大鼠心肌肥厚及组织局部肾素-血管紧张素系统(RA S)的影响。方法采用两肾一夹型肾血管性高血压大鼠模型。所有大鼠被随机分为3组(每组20只):假手术对照组,高血压对照组和牛磺酸治疗组,于术后第5周开始给予牛磺酸50m g.kg-1.d-1。采用标准尾套法间接检测清醒大鼠血压。给药8周后,处死大鼠,分离左室心肌,检测左室重/体重比、心肌的血管紧张素Ⅱ含量(放射免疫法检测)和血管紧张素转换酶活性(分光光度计法检测)。结果与假手术组大鼠相比,未给药2K1C高血压大鼠血压明显升高,左室重/体重比增大,心肌的血管紧张素Ⅱ含量增加和血管紧张素转换酶活性均增高。应用牛磺酸治疗则明显抑制了肾动脉狭窄术后大鼠血压的升高,降低了2K1C高血压大鼠左室重/体重比、心肌的血管紧张素Ⅱ含量和血管紧张素转换酶活性。结论长疗程牛磺酸治疗可抑制肾性高血压大鼠心肌肥厚的发生,其机制可能与抑制心肌组织局部血管紧张素Ⅱ生成有关。     

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.