缺血预处理对大鼠急性肾缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用及其对细胞凋亡的影响

目的 :观察缺血预处理 (IPC)对大鼠急性肾缺血 /再灌注损伤的保护作用及其对细胞凋亡及凋亡相关蛋白Bcl 2和Bax表达的影响 ,探讨其作用的可能机制 .方法 :双肾动脉缺血 4 5min再灌注 2 4h制备成急性肾缺血 /再灌注动物模型 ,5 0只Wister大鼠随机分为对照假手术组、缺血 /再灌注组、缺血预处理组 (IPC1 ,IPC2 ,IPC3) .原位末端标记法检测细胞凋亡指数 ,免疫组化法测定Bcl 2和Bax表达 .结果 :与对照组比较 ,缺血 /再灌注组凋亡指数增加 (3.1± 2 .3vs 2 8.8± 4 .4 ,P <0 .0 5 ) ,Bax(1 83.0± 1 2 .8vs1 6 3.0± 1 7.1 ,P <0 .0 5 )表达明显增强 ,Bcl 2增加 (1 84 .0± 9.6vs 1 79.0± 1 3.0 ,P <0 .0 5 ) ,Bcl 2 /Bax比值明显降低 (1 .0 0± 0 .0 8vs 1 .1 0± 0 .0 7,P <0 .0 5 ) .缺血 /再灌注组比较 ,IPC3组肾小管凋亡指数明显下降(2 8.8± 4 .4vs 1 5 .6± 3.8,P <0 .0 5 ) ,Bcl 2表达增强 (1 79.0±1 3.0vs1 70 .0± 1 5 .1 ,P <0 .0 5 ) ,Bax表达减弱 (1 6 3.0± 1 7.1vs1 74 .0± 1 3.7,P <0 .0 5 ) ,Bcl 2 /Bax比值增高 (1 .1 0± 0 .0 7vs0 .98± 0 .1 1 ,P <0 .0 5 ) .结论 :缺血预处理 (IPC3)具有抗肾脏缺血 /再灌注损伤作用 ,其作用机制可能是通过调控Bcl 2 /Bax介导的肾脏缺血 /再灌注细胞     

肾缺血再灌注中单核细胞趋化蛋白-1的表达与细胞凋亡的相关作用

目的 :检测肾缺血再灌注中单核细胞趋化蛋白 1(monocytechemotacticprotein 1,MCP 1)的表达情况 ,并探讨肾缺血再灌注中MCP 1与细胞凋亡的作用关系 .方法 :建立小鼠肾缺血再灌注模型 ,在再灌注后不同时点运用半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR)观察MCP 1信使核糖核酸(mRNA)的阳性表达率及相对水平 ;用流式细胞仪检测再灌注 12h肾细胞凋亡发生情况 ;测定再灌注 2 4h髓过氧化物酶(MPO)、血肌酐 (Cr)、尿素氮 (BUN)反映炎症反应及肾功损害的程度变化 .同时 ,观察凋亡蛋白酶 (caspase)广谱抑制剂zVADfmk对上述指标的影响 .结果 :正常情况下肾脏中不表达MCP 1,缺血再灌注 1h可观察到MCP 1mRNA表达 ,2h后其水平上升 ,至 4h达到峰值 ,并以较低的水平持续至 2 4h ;运用zVADfmk使细胞凋亡减少 ,再灌注 12h实验组、对照组的凋亡数分数分别为 0 .0 8± 0 .0 3,0 .2 6± 0 .0 7(P <0 .0 1) ;MCP 1mRNA表达被抑制 ;中性细胞聚集和肾功能损伤减轻 ,再灌注 2 4hCr,BUN ,MPO分别为 (10 6± 9) μmol·L-1,(2 0± 2 )mmol·L-1,(0 .2 1± 0 .10 )kat·g-1vs (199± 8)μmol·L -1,(4 1± 1)mmol·L -1,(0 .4 0± 0 .2 5 )kat·g -1(BUN ,Cr,P <0 .0 1;MPO ,P <0 .0 5 ) .结论 :单核细胞趋化蛋白 1在肾缺血再灌注中表达 ,     

再灌注后移植肺组织ICAM-1的表达及其意义

目的 :探讨再灌注后移植肺组织ICAM 1表达的变化及其意义。方法 :4 2只大鼠随机分成正常对照组、假手术组、缺血再灌注组。建立大鼠自体左肺模拟原位移植模型 ,采用免疫组化法检测肺组织ICAM 1表达的变化 ,并进行图像分析。结果 :①正常对照组及假手术组ICAM 1仅在少量肺血管内皮细胞 (VECs)和肺泡Ⅰ型上皮细胞 (PⅠ )中呈弱阳性表达 (分别为 1.0 8± 0 .0 4和 1.0 8± 0 .0 5 ) ;②再灌注后肺VEC、PⅠ、肺泡巨噬细胞及支气管上皮细胞等均可见大量ICAM 1表达 ,至再灌注 12h达到最高峰 (3.4 3± 0 .6 6 ) ,与再灌注 0h比较 ,P <0 .0 1;③ICAM 1表达呈强阳性部位伴有中性粒细胞的聚集。结论 :再灌注后移植肺组织ICAM 1表达上调 ,可能参与移植肺再灌注损伤     

BMP-7mRNA在大鼠缺血/再灌注心肌和脑中表达的变化

目的 :观察骨形态构建蛋白 (BMP) 7mRNA在大鼠心肌和脑缺血 /再灌注中表达的改变。方法 :Wistar大鼠 32只 ,随机分成 4组。各组大鼠经过不同处理 ,处死后心肌、脑组织标本放入液氮中保存并行RT PCR检测BMP 7mRNA表达的改变。结果 :心肌对照组BMP 7mRNA表达丰度为 1.14± 0 .0 8;心肌缺血 /再灌注组有明显降低(丰度为 0 .90± 0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 5 ) ,脑缺血 /再灌注组的BMP 7mRNA表达 (丰度 1.0 4± 0 .0 5 )与脑对照组 ( 1.17± 0 .0 9)相比明显降低 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :心肌和脑缺血 /再灌注损伤使BMP 7mRNA表达明显减弱 ,提示BMP 7基因mRNA表达与机体缺血 /再灌注损伤关系密切     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子对大鼠局灶性缺血再灌注损伤脑组织Caspase-3表达及细胞凋亡的影响

目的 :探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子 (bFGF)对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后神经细胞凋亡和Caspase 3表达的影响。方法 :应用线栓法制作大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型 ,大脑中动脉阻塞 1h再灌注损伤 2 4h ,用TUNEL法和免疫组化法分别检测假手术组、缺血再灌注组和bFGF治疗组的凋亡细胞数和Caspase 3阳性细胞数。结果 :假手术组偶见凋亡细胞和Caspase 3阳性细胞 ,缺血再灌注组凋亡细胞数和Caspase 3阳性细胞数分别为 2 5 .4 6± 5 .5 7和1 8.6 0± 3.77,bFGF组凋亡细胞数和Caspase 3阳性细胞数分别为 1 6 .72± 5 .6 3和 1 0 .5 4± 2 .0 4。与缺血再灌注组比较 ,bFGF组凋亡细胞数和Caspase 3阳性细胞数显著降低 (P <0 .0 5和P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :Caspase 3表达下降可能是bFGF减少大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后细胞凋亡的分子机制之一     

幼兔缺血预处理在心肌保护第二窗期对未成熟心肌Bcl-2基因mRNA表达的影响

目的　观察幼兔心脏缺血预处理 2 4h对未成熟心肌缺血 /再灌注后Bcl -2mRNA表达的影响 ,探讨未成熟心肌保护第二窗形成的作用机理。方法　 18只 3～ 4周龄幼兔 ,随机分为 3组 ,每组 6只 :Ⅰ组 ,正常对照组 ;Ⅱ组 ,缺血 /再灌注损伤组 ;Ⅲ组 ,缺血预处理组。建立活体心脏缺血 /再灌注损伤模型 ,Maclab/8s系统监测左心室发展压 (LVDP)、左室压上升及下降最大速率 (+dp/dtmax,-dp/dtmax)变化 ,原位免疫杂交 (ISH)方法检测心肌细胞内Bcl-2mRNA的表达。结果　缺血再灌注前 ,各组间LVDP、±dp/dtmax无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5) ;再灌注 1h后 ,Ⅱ组的LVDP、+dp/dtmax和 -dp/dtmax恢复率分别为 (42 .81± 12 .56) %、(3 0 .67± 16.2 2 ) %和 (2 9.49± 10 .13 ) % ;Ⅲ组LVDP、+dp/dtmax及 -dp/dtmax恢复率分别为 (84.15± 13 .56) %、(69.49± 10 .3 6) %和 (58.3 7± 12 .45) % ,两组间有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组Bcl -2mRNA表达阳性细胞面积百分数分别为 (8.3± 2 .5) %、(76.3±13 .5) % ,两组间有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　缺血预处理可上调Bcl -2mRNA表达 ,参与未成熟心肌保护第二窗的形成 ,促进未成熟心肌缺血 /再灌注后心室功能恢复     

亚低温对脑缺血再灌注后缺血核心区皮质内IL-1β和MCP-1含量的影响

目的　探讨缺血过程中亚低温对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后缺血核心区皮质内白细胞介素1β(IL 1β)及单核细胞趋化蛋白 (MCP) 1含量的影响。 方法　选用 80只雄性Wistar大鼠 ,随机分为常温组 (37℃ )和亚低温组 (32～ 33℃ ) ,用ELISA法测定缺血 2h再灌不同时间缺血核心区脑皮质内IL 1β和MCP 1含量变化 ;用 2 ,3,5三苯基四氮唑 (TTC)染色法观察脑皮质梗死灶的变化。 结果　常温组再灌注后各时间点缺血核心区皮质内IL 1β含量无明显变化 ;MCP 1含量于再灌注 6h后开始升高 (2 2 5± 8 7)ng/g ,是假手术组的 17 0倍 (P <0 0 5 ) ,4 8h逐渐达到高峰 (110 9± 4 7 0 )ng/g ,是假手术组的 83 7倍 (P <0 0 0 1)。与常温组相比 ,亚低温组再灌注后缺血核心区皮质内IL 1β含量没有明显变化 ,但MCP 1的含量于再灌注后 6h为 (8 7± 7 6 )ng/g(P <0 0 0 5 ) ,再灌注后 4 8h为 (5 6 0± 4 0 3)ng/g(P <0 0 5 ) ,明显低于常温组 ,皮质梗死灶也显著小于常温组。 结论　降低缺血再灌注后脑皮质内MCP 1的含量 ,可能是亚低温发挥脑保护作用的重要途径之一。     

犬小肠缺血再灌注后NO、SOD的改变和肾脏c-Fos、bax、bcl-2的表达

目的　研究小肠缺血再灌注后NO、SOD的变化和肾组织的c Fos,bax ,bcl 2表达 ,探讨小肠缺血再灌注后对肾脏的损伤。方法　结扎犬肠系膜上动脉 30min再灌注 ,建立犬小肠缺血再灌注模型 ,测定结扎前和再灌注 0、30、6 0min ,1、4、7d血中NO和SOD的变化 ,用免疫组织化学方法探讨小肠缺血再灌注 0、30、6 0min ,1、4、7d及对照组的肾脏组织c Fos,bax ,bcl 2蛋白的表达特点。结果　小肠缺血再灌注后 ,NO逐渐升高 ,但第 4天低 ,结扎前与除 0min外的其他组比差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1) ;SOD各时间点都明显升高 (P <0 0 1) ;肾脏组织中的c Fos表达十分明显 (P <0 0 1) ;bax的表达逐渐升高 ,30min以后开始差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1) ;bcl 2在 0min不表达 ,30min后差异才有显著性 (P <0 0 1)。结论　小肠缺血再灌注后自由基等的变化可引起肾脏组织的c Fos ,bax ,bcl 2表达的变化 ,从而引起远隔器官肾的损伤趋势。     

移植肾穿刺活检在肾移植术后的临床应用

目的 :探讨移植肾活检在肾移植术后的临床应用价值 .方法 :3 4 (男 2 8,女 6)例均为同种异体肾移植患者 ,平均年龄 3 4 6岁 (18～ 5 2岁 ) ,其中 2 0例术后尿素氮和肌酐正常 ,10例临床诊断为急性排斥反应 ,4例为肾功能延迟恢复 .分别在彩色B超 (2 6例 )和CT引导 (8例 )下行移植肾活检 .结果 :3 4例患者共行穿刺 3 7人次 .一次穿刺成功率为 :B超 89% ,CT 10 0 % .2例术后出现轻度肉眼血尿 ,余无其他并发症 .B超组 (n =2 9)与CT组 (n =8)比较 ,肾小球数 :(13 9± 3 2 )vs(11 1± 4 7) ;动脉数 :(2 6± 0 7)vs (2 1± 1 1) ;不合格标本 :3 (10 3 % )vs 0 ;穿刺时间 :(1.0± 0 5 )minvs(5 0± 1 0 )min(P <0 .0 1) .根据Banff97分类 :肾功正常组 (n =2 0 )中 18例为正常 ,2例为临界改变 .临床诊断为急性排斥反应 (n =10 ) ,急性排斥反应为 7例 ,其中IA2例 ,ⅡA 3例 ,ⅡB 1例 ,Ⅲ 1例 .2例为环孢素A中毒 ,1例为急性肾小管坏死 .肾功能延迟恢复组 (n =4 )中 2例为急性肾小管坏死 ,1例为环孢素A中毒 ,1例为急性肾小管坏死合并急性排斥反应 .临床诊断正确率为 73 5 % .结论 :移植肾穿刺活检能够及时准确地对肾移植术后肾功能异常者进行诊断和疗效判断 .CT介导移植肾活检的穿刺标本质量优于B超     

黄体酮对小鼠肾缺血—再灌注损伤的影响

目的　探讨黄体酮对肾缺血 -再灌注损伤的影响。方法　采用小鼠肾缺血—再灌注损伤模型 ,观察肾组织含水量、血清肌酐尿素氮、再灌注 2 4h的生存率及组织病理学变化。结果　与生理盐水组相比 ,黄体酮组在缺血 -再灌注后肾含水量和血清尿素氮水平无明显差异 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,而血清肌酐水平显著升高 (P <0 .0 5 )、2 4h生存率显著降低 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　黄体酮可能加剧肾缺血 -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.