左旋精氨酸对大鼠心脏移植模型移植物血管病变的抑制作用

目的研究左旋精氨酸对心脏移植物血管病变的抑制作用及其机制.方法采用大鼠异位心脏移植模型.对照组26只,移植后不用左旋精氨酸;实验组21只,移植后按每天800mg/kg将左旋精氨酸加入饮水中.于移植后2个月和3个月检测各组的心脏移植物血管病变评分和血浆一氧化氮含量.结果移植后2个月,实验组的移植物存活率为90.5%,显著高于对照组的61.5%(P<0.05).移植后2个月和3个月,实验组血浆一氧化氮均显著高于对照组,分别为(105.37±10.66)μmol/L vs (68.54±6.83)μmol/L(P<0.05),和(104.53±12.31)μmol/L vs (66.32±10.54)μmol/L(P<0.05);而对照组心脏移植物血管病变评分显著高于实验组,分别为2.4±0.7 vs 1.1±0.6(P<0.05),和3.0±0.8 vs 1.6±0.9(P<0.05).实验组心脏移植物的冠状动脉内膜病变轻微,内皮和内弹力层基本保持完整,平滑肌细胞增殖不明显.结论补充左旋精氨酸可改善心脏移植物血管病变,其机制与一氧化氮合成增加有关.一氧化氮具有保护内皮功能,抑制平滑肌细胞增殖的作用.     

内皮祖细胞移植修复大鼠颈总动脉内皮损伤

 [目的]探讨内皮祖细胞修复动脉内皮损伤的作用.[方法]建立大鼠颈总动脉内皮损伤模型,16只大鼠随机等分为内皮祖细胞移植组和对照组.体外诱导大鼠外周血单个核细胞为内皮祖细胞.在动脉损伤后,将5-溴脱氧尿苷标记的内皮祖细胞注入损伤动脉段,14 d后取损伤动脉段和对侧正常动脉段.采用病理学方法、免疫组织化学和图像分析技术评价内皮祖细胞的修复效果.[结果]内皮祖细胞移植组的损伤动脉段5-溴脱氧尿苷免疫组化为阳性.内皮祖细胞移植组损伤动脉段的新生内膜厚度较对照组明显减轻（43.5±5.5）μm vs（90.7±12.7）μm,P＜0.05;内皮祖细胞移植组的再内皮化程度明显高于对照组77.8%±0.1%vs52.2%±0.1%,P＜0.05.[结论]内皮祖细胞具有修复动脉内皮细胞损伤的作用,内皮祖细胞可作为心血管疾病细胞移植疗法的种子细胞.     

局部缓释雷帕霉素抑制静脉移植血管内膜增生

目的探讨局部缓释雷帕霉素对于静脉移植血管内膜增生的影响,为临床提供实验依据。方法健康家兔24只,均建立颈外静脉-颈总动脉移植模型分为4组,空白对照组,建立静脉移植模型;P luron ic F-127对照组:在移植血管局部喷洒20%缓释载体P luron ic F-127 0.5 m l;低剂量组:在移植血管局部喷洒携带雷帕霉素(50μg/cm2)的20%P luron ic F-127 0.5 m l;高剂量组:在移植血管局部喷洒携带雷帕霉素(100μg/cm2)的20%P luron ic F-127 0.5 m l。观察静脉移植血管内膜增生程度及管腔狭窄程度,增殖细胞核抗原表达及细胞凋亡水平。结果低剂量组和高剂量组较空白对照组和F-127对照组内膜增生减轻(内膜厚度分别为29μm±10μm、16μm±8μm与90μm±11μm、85μm±11μm),管腔再狭窄程度减轻(管腔面积/总面积比分别为0.80±0.36、0.91±0.13与0.58±0.11、0.65±0.47),平滑肌细胞增殖受抑制(细胞增殖指数分别为20%±9%、14%±7%与31%±7%、35%±6%),细胞凋亡水平上升(凋亡指数分别为33%±7%、36%±8%与16%±6%、18%±8%),且上述作用随雷帕霉素剂量增加而增强。结论局部缓释雷帕霉素可以有效抑制静脉移植血管内膜增生,这种作用是通过抑制平滑肌细胞增殖以及促进凋亡而实现的。     

富含精氨酸食物对高脂餐后内皮依赖性血管舒张功能的影响

目的检测高血压病患者及正常人的内皮依赖性血管舒张功能,并观察高脂煎炸食物及富含精氨酸食物对其影响.方法31例高血压病(EH)患者及10例正常人进入研究,均于基础状态接受高脂餐负荷试验,采用高分辨率血管超声在彩色多普勒能量图显像(CDPI)于空腹及餐后4h检测肱动脉的血流介导的内皮依赖性血管舒张功能.之后14例EH患者及10例正常人接受富含精氨酸食物,另外17例EH患者接受普通饮食,1周后重复高脂餐负荷试验及空腹、餐后4h内皮依赖性血管舒张功能的检测.结果高血压病组及正常组在未进食富含精氨酸食物前的高脂餐后的内皮功能显著降低,高血压病组较正常组降低更加明显.(EH餐前后129%±5.7%和3.3%±52%,P<001;NOR餐前后165%±9.4%和5.5%±5.9%,P<005).进食富含精氨酸食物1周后,正常组高脂餐后内皮依赖性血管舒张功能升高,但差异未达显著(5.5%±59%和13.1%±4.1%,P>005),而高血压病组高脂餐后内皮依赖性血管舒张功能非常显著的升高(3.3%±52%和13.3%±5.7%,P<001),未食用富含精氨酸食物的高血压组1周后复查的高脂餐后内皮依赖性血管舒张功能仍然显著降低(6.0%±5.0%和5.8%±4.1%,P>0.05).结论高脂餐负荷可使正常人及高血压病患者内皮依赖性血管舒张功能显著降低;进食富含精氨酸食物可纠正高脂餐后的内皮依赖性血管舒张功能降低.提示高脂餐后的内皮依赖性血管舒张功能降低主要来自氧化脂质对NO的降解增加,可能通过补充富含精氨酸食物得以纠正.     

小口径内皮化人工血管的临床应用研究

目的探讨小口径内皮化人工血管的临床应用效果。方法将成人大隐静脉内皮细胞在体外培养（１２．５４±１．２８） ｄ;扩增培养的自体细胞衬里　于纤维蛋白胶和纤维连接蛋白联合预衬的国产 ｅＰＴＦＥ人工血管,继续培养 ９ ｄ。将此人工血管行股－　动脉旁路搭桥术。结果细胞数增加（１７８．２６±４４．９３）倍。细胞种植后 ２ ｈ和 ９ ｄ,人工血管腔面见一层均匀的基质,基质表面有一层连续的内皮细胞单层。内皮细胞排列紧密,呈梭形状,形态饱满。除１例术后２月出现人工血管血栓形成外,其余１０例患者经６～３６月的随访检查,人工血管通畅良好。结论双期法离休衬里技术可有效地提高小口径人工血管的通畅率。     

不同雌激素水平对大鼠血管内皮细胞功能及血管内皮细胞粘附分子1表达的作用

目的研究雌激素对雌鼠肺血管内皮细胞功能及血管内皮细胞粘附分子-1(VCAM-1)表达的调节。方法（1）雌性SD大鼠24只分为假手术组、去势组、治疗组,采用放射免疫法检测血清中内皮素、前列环素的含量,铜-镉还原法测定血清中一氧化氮的产量。放射配体结合法检测肺血管内皮细胞中雌激素受体含量。（2）正常雌鼠肺培养的第2代血管内皮细胞,按不同浓度17-β雌二醇(17-βE2)分为A组（对照）、B组（3×10-8mol/L17-βE2）、C组（3×10-7mol/L17-βE2）;D组（3×10-6mol/L17-βE2）、E组（3×10-6mol/L17-βE2+3×10-6mol/L他莫西芬）处理48h,白细胞介素-1β作用后流式细胞仪分别检测各组VCAM-1表达量。结果(1)去势组雌鼠血中一氧化氮（18μmol/L±8μmol/L）、前列环素（8.5pg/ml±2.5pg/ml）均降低,治疗组二者水平明显升高（31μmol/L±7μmol/L,P<0.05;10.9pg/ml±3.4pg/ml）,而内皮素含量变化则相反（170pg/ml±39pg/ml;100pg/ml±32pg/ml,P<0.05）。(2)去势组雌鼠血管内皮细胞中雌激素受体含量(fmol/106cell）显著降低（6.7±0.5),治疗组雌激素受体含量维持在高水平（17.6±1.2,P<0.01）。(3)白细胞介素-1β作用后A组表达VCAM-1细胞百分率明显增高（17.5%±1.5%）,B、C、D组表达VCAM-1细胞百分率显著降低（15.4%±1.42%、12.4%±0.34%、8.7%±0.27%,P<0.01）。结论雌激素水平可明显影响雌鼠血管内皮细胞内皮素、一氧化氮、前列环素的分泌,并可影响雌鼠血管内皮细胞中雌激素受体含量。雌二醇均可降低白细胞介素-1β诱发的雌鼠血管内皮细胞VCAM-1表达增高。     

种植受体血管内皮细胞在异种血管移植中的实验研究

目的　探讨种植受体血管内皮细胞在抗异种血管移植超急排斥反应 (HAR)方面的意义。方法　选用豚鼠→大鼠移植模型 ,先将分离、培养的大鼠动脉内皮细胞种植于去内皮的豚鼠动脉内壁 ,再将此豚鼠动脉植入大鼠体内 ,观察动脉血栓形成时间 ,并采用免疫组化技术检测了 Ig M、C3在移植后豚鼠动脉壁上沉积的情况。结果　已种植大鼠内皮细胞的豚鼠动脉血栓形成时间 (2 0 .3± 4.42 h)较植入大鼠体内的正常豚鼠动脉 (0 .35± 0 .2 84h)以及单纯去内皮豚鼠动脉血栓形成时间 (0 .16 5± 0 .0 77h)显著延长 (P<0 .0 0 1)。免疫组化结果显示 ,植入大鼠体内的正常豚鼠内皮细胞表面有 Ig M和 C3沉积 ,而预先种植大鼠内皮细胞的豚鼠动脉内壁无 Ig M和 C3沉积。结论　在异种供体血管壁上预先种植受者血管内皮细胞 ,可延长移植的异种供体血管通畅时间 ,该技术可能在抗异种血管移植 HAR方面具有重要意义     

氯沙坦对老年高血压病患者颈动脉结构及内皮功能的影响

为观察氯沙坦(Losartan)对老年高血压病患者颈动脉的内径、内中膜复合体以及血流介导的血管内皮舒张功能的影响.对15例老年高血压病患者服用Losartan 50 mg/d3个月,治疗前后监测24 h动态血压,并采用高分辨超声技术和肱动脉充血反应法,检测患者颈动脉的内径、内中膜复合体厚度和充血前后肱动脉内径变化率.发现Losartan使患者24 h收缩压从(143.13±2.95)mmHg(1 kPa=7.5 mmHg)降至(134.87±1.64)mmHg,下降(8.62±0.80)mmHg(P<o.001).24 h舒张压均值从(92.47±2.59)mmHg降至(86.27±2.40)mmHg,下降(6.20±o.53)mmHg(P<0.001).颈动脉内径由(6.63±0.98)mm减为(6.23±1.03)mm,减少(0.39±0.04)mm;内中膜复合体从(0.95±0.19)mm降至(0.81±0.21)mm,减少(0.13±0.02)mm(P<0.001)、肱动脉内径变化率由(4.71±3.18)%增至(10.61±3.03)%,增加(5.92±0.26)%(P<0.001).结果表明Losartan在控制老年高血压病患者血压的同时,还能逆转颈动脉壁的早期异常,修复血管内皮功能.     

氨氯地平对2型糖尿病合并高血压患者血管内皮功能的影响

目的　探讨氨氯地平治疗前后 2型糖尿病合并高血压患者血管内皮功能的变化。　方法　经 2周导入期后 ,将 75例 2型糖尿病合并高血压患者 ,随机分为氨氯地平组 (3 8例 )和美托洛尔组 (3 7例 ) ,以血压 <14 0 / 90mmHg为标准调整剂量 ,未达标者加吲哒帕胺 ,治疗期 6周。超声检测治疗前后右肱动脉血管内皮功能的变化。　结果　美托洛尔组治疗前后肱动脉内径基础值 (3 .69± 0 .5 8mm对 3 .71± 0 .60mm)、反应性充血后 (5 .41%± 0 .82 %对 5 .78%± 0 .87% )及含服硝酸甘油后内径变化 (19.6%± 4.8%对 2 0 .0 %± 5 .2 % )均无显著性差异 (P均 >0 .0 5 )。氨氯地平组治疗前后肱动脉内径基础值 (3 .72± 0 .61mm对 3 .70± 0 .5 9mm)、含服硝酸甘油后内径变化 (18.9%± 4.5 %对 2 0 .1%± 5 .6% )也无显著性差异 (P均 >0 .0 5 ) ;但反应性血管充血引起肱动脉内径的变化 (5 .66%± 0 .78%对 9.48%± 3 .80 % )有非常显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。　结论　氨氯地平在有效降低 2型糖尿病合并高血压患者血压的同时 ,能独立地改善其血管内皮功能。     

Effect of micronized fenofibrate on vascular endothelial function in patients with hypertriglyceridemia

Objective To investigate the effect of micronized fenofibrate on vascular endothelial function in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Methods Using high-resolution ultrasound, we measured flow- and nitroglycerin-induced dilatation of the brachial artery in 30 patients with hypertriglyceridemia before and after treatment with micronized fenofibrate at a dose of 200 mg once daily for 4 weeks. Simultaneously, both serum lipid and plasma endothelin (ET) levels were determined.Results After micronized fenofibrate therapy, serum triglyceride (TG) levels decreased significantly (P&lt;0.05). Plasma ET levels also decreased markedly ［(82.66±15.46） μg/L vs. （106.22±19.16） μg/L, P&lt;0.001］. Flow-induced vasodilatation was much improved (11.0%±9.0% vs 2.7%±2.0%, P&lt;0.01). However, no significant changes in vasodilatation occurred in response to nitroglycerin (16.2%±6.0% vs 15.0%±5.0%, P&gt;0.05) in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Conclusions Micronized fenofibrate can improve impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Improving endothelial function may also be the mechanism responsible for the beneficial effects of micronized fenofibrate.     

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.