氯胺酮对急性肺损伤大鼠肺组织HMGB1表达的影响

目的:探讨氯胺酮在盲肠结扎穿孔术(CLP)脓毒症肺损伤大鼠中对肺组织HMGB1表达的影响.方法:45只SPF级雄性成年Wister 大鼠随机分为三组:(1)假手术组(sham组)、(2)盲肠结扎穿孔(Cecal ligation and puncture.CLP)组(CLP组)、(3)氧胺酮干预组(KET组).CLP组和KET组施行盲肠结扎穿孔术.术毕半小时开始给药,KET组给予5%氯胺酮50g/kg,im,q12h;Sham组和CLP组则给予等容积生理盐水a在术后6h、24h、72h各随机处死大鼠5只,分别作为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ亚组,无菌留取大鼠肺组织、动脉血待测.采用热干法测肺组织湿/干(weVdry,W/D)重比值;光镜下观察肺脏组织形态学变化,并进行中性粒细胞计数:测定各组大鼠不同时问点动脉血氧分压(PaO2);免疫组织化学法(IHC)和逆转录聚合酶链(RT-PCR)法分别检测肺组织HMGB1蛋白和HMGB1mRNA.结果:与CLP组相比,氯胺酮组在CLP术后6h、24h和72h时间点PaO2较CLP组明显增高,而肺组织W/D比值、中性粒细胞计数、HMGB,免疫组化及HMGB.mRNA表达明显降低(P<0.05).结论:氯胺酮能够抑制CLP脓毒症大鼠肺组织HMGB1mRNA和蛋白表达水平,减轻肺组织PMN浸润,减轻CLP诱导的大鼠肺损伤的程度.     

氯胺酮对脓毒症大鼠血清一氧化氮及心肌组织第二信使的影响

目的研究氯胺酮（KET）对腹腔感染脓毒症大鼠血清一氧化氮（NO）和心肌环磷酸腺苷（cAMP）、环磷酸鸟苷（cGMP）的影响．方法将230只SD大鼠随机分为3组．（1）模型组（CLP，rt=30）；（2）假手术组（SHAM，rt=100）；（3）氯胺酮组（KET＋CLP，rt=100）．测定各组动物血清NO和心肌组织cAMP、cGMP．结果（1）氯胺酮组与模型组血清NO显著升高（P〈0．01），氯胺酮组升高程度显著低于模型组（P〈0．01）．（2）与假手术组比较，氯胺酮组和模型组心肌cAMP显著降低（P〈0．01），心肌cGMP明显升高（P〈0．01）；氯胺酮组心肌cAMP较同期模型组明显升高（P〈0．01），cGMP则显著低于模型组（P〈0．01）．结论一定剂量的KET（50mg／kg）可通过抑制血清NO和心肌cGMP，增加心肌cAMP，从而降低腹腔感染脓毒症大鼠死亡率．     

氯胺酮与甲苯噻嗪用于大鼠脊髓损伤模型的麻醉效果

目的分析氯胺酮与甲苯噻嗪用于大鼠脊髓损伤模型麻醉的效果。方法 Sprague-Dawley雄性大鼠60只,分别用盐酸氯胺酮100 mg/kg(Ⅰ组)、盐酸甲苯噻嗪25 mg/kg(Ⅱ组)、盐酸氯胺酮100 mg/kg复合盐酸甲苯噻嗪25 mg/kg(Ⅲ组)腹腔注射麻醉后,建立脊髓损伤动物模型,无创心电监护仪监测心率、呼吸、血氧饱和度及体温变化,记录麻醉起效时间、麻醉持续时间、呼吸道分泌物情况、镇痛效果及肌肉松弛程度。结果Ⅲ组的麻醉起效时间为(2.2±0.5)min,显著短于Ⅰ组的(14.3±2.3)min和Ⅱ组的(18.2±3.0)min(P值均<0.05)。Ⅲ组的麻醉持续时间为(139.0±12.6)min,显著长于Ⅰ组的(41.6±6.2)min和Ⅱ组的(63.9±8.2)min(P值均<0.01)。Ⅲ组在麻醉过程中各时间点的心率、呼吸、血氧饱和度和体温均保持平稳。结论盐酸氯胺酮100 mg/kg复合盐酸甲苯噻嗪25 mg/kg腹腔注射用于大鼠脊髓损伤动物模型建立的麻醉,较单纯使用盐酸氯胺酮或盐酸甲苯噻嗪效果更好。     

乌司他丁联合大黄对脓毒症大鼠淋巴细胞亚群的影响

目的:脓毒症的发病率及死亡率居高不下,对脓毒症患者进行免疫功能调节一直是其重要治疗方法。大黄具有泻下,抑制内毒素移位及减轻炎症反应功能;乌司他丁(UTⅠ)具有调节、增强免疫功能,此次分析探讨大黄联合UTⅠ对脓毒症大鼠免疫功能的影响。方法:将120只成年SD大鼠(体重210~250g)随机分成正常对照组(Ⅰ组)、阑尾结扎穿孔(CLP)模型组(Ⅱ组)、CLP后大黄联合UTⅠ治疗组(Ⅲ组),每组40只。Ⅰ组开腹找到盲肠后立即关腹,Ⅱ组按文献报道方法进行处理,使大鼠腹腔感染继发脓毒症,Ⅲ组在Ⅱ组基础上联合给予大黄及UTⅠ治疗(12h给药一次),每组分别在CLP后6h、12h、24h、36h抽取心脏血,每个时间点10只大鼠,分析比较各组大鼠T淋巴细胞亚群。     

氯胺酮对脓毒症大鼠及血清TNF-α、IL-6和NO水平及生存率的影响

目的探讨氯胺酮在盲肠结扎穿孔术（CLP）脓毒症中的作用及可能的作用机制．方法120只雄性sD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、对照组、氯胺酮组；每组各分为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ4个亚组．对照组和氯胺酮组建立CLP脓毒症模型．术毕半小时开始给药，氯胺酮组肌肉注射氯胺酮50mg／kg，q12h，正常对照组与对照组给予等容积生理盐水，直至大鼠死亡或5d观察期结束．每组的Ⅰ亚组大鼠观察5d的生存情况；Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ亚组的大鼠于术前0h、术后4h，及以对照组的Ⅳ亚组各只大鼠的临终时刻为观察时相点，分别处死每组中一个亚组的大鼠测定血中TNF-α、IL-6及NO的水平．结果与正常对照组比，对照组血清TNF-α、IL-6在CLP术后4h及临终时点均明显升高（P〈0．01）；且TNF-α在CLP术后4h较临终时点高；IL-6在临终时点较CLP术后4h高；而NO在CLP术后的临终时点才明显升高（P〈0．01）．与对照组比，氯胺酮组血清TNF-α和IL-6在CLP术后4h及临终时点均明显降低（P〈0．01）；NO仅在CLP术后的临终时点明显降低（P〈0．01）．正常对照组5d生存率100％，对照组5d生存率0，氯胺酮组5d生存率60％；与对照组相比，氯胺酮组的5d生存率明显升高（P〈0．01）．结论氯胺酮能够抑制CLP脓毒症大鼠血清TNF-α、IL-6和NO的水平，从而提高大鼠的生存率．     

氯胺酮对感染性休克大鼠保护作用的初步探讨

目的:观察氯胺酮(KT)对感染性休克大鼠一般情况、肝脏病理组织学、肺组织干湿重比、血流动力学及20 h死亡率的影响。方法:取健康成年雄性SD大鼠89只,采用盲肠结扎加穿孔(CLP)法复制感染性休克模型。随机分为4组:假CLP组、CLP组、KTⅠ组和KTⅡ组。假CLP和CLP组术前30 min经股静脉持续输注生理盐水5 ml/(kg.h),KTⅠ和KTⅡ组分别输注氯胺酮5 mg/(kg.h)和10 mg/(kg.h)。取新鲜肝组织进行石蜡切片,苏木素-伊红(HE)染色;微波炉烘干微量天平称肺干湿重,计算比值;股动脉穿刺置管监测平均动脉压(MAP),心率(HR)。结果:CLP组术后大鼠一般情况较差;肉眼观各脏器充血,发黑;肝脏病理组织学观察门管区有较多量的炎性细胞浸润;肺干湿重比各组间比较差异不显著(P>0.05);MAP进行性下降,HR则先加快后减慢,各组间比较差异显著(P<0.05)。结论:氯胺酮对感染性休克大鼠具有保护效应。     

氯胺酮对腹腔感染脓毒症小鼠的保护机制探讨

目的 探讨氯胺酮对腹腔感染所致脓毒症小鼠的保护机制。方法 40只小鼠，随机分为假性手术组、单纯氯胺酮组、盲肠结扎穿孔组(CLP)和CLp 氯胺酮治疗组。CLP后12小时后检测血浆肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素6(IL-16)、白细胞介素10(IL-10)水平、肝肾胰功能。结果 氯胺酮本身不引起小鼠血浆细胞因子浓度、肝肾胰功能改变，但能显著降低CLP大鼠血浆炎性细胞因子水平、减轻脏器损伤。结论 氯胺酮能减轻腹腔感染脓毒症的全身炎性反应、减轻脏器功能受损。     

阈下剂量氯胺酮用于失血性休克病人麻醉诱导对血压和心率的影响

目的　探讨阈下剂量氯胺酮用于失血性休克病人全麻诱导时的临床效果。方法　失血性休克患者 4 8例 ,麻醉诱导均采用咪唑安定 0 .0 3mg/kg ,氯胺酮 (1.5mg/s的速度静注 ) ,芬太尼 4 μg/kg ,万可松 1mg/kg诱导插管。根据血压、氯胺酮用量不同分为 4组 :Ⅰ组 (SBP≥ 90mmHg) ,14例 ,氯胺酮 1mg/kg ;Ⅱ组 (SBP≥ 90mmHg) ,12例 ,氯胺酮 0 .5mg/kg ;Ⅲ组 (SBP <90mmHg) ,10例 ,氯胺酮 1mg/kg ;Ⅳ组 (SBP <90mmHg) ,12例 ,氯胺酮 0 .5mg/kg。监测并记录麻醉诱导前、给药后 3min的收缩压 (SBP)、舒张压 (DBP)、心率 (HR)。结果　 4组病例患者年龄、性别、失血时间无显著差异 (P >0 .0 5 )。①BP :Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅳ组患者应用氯胺酮后SBP均呈显著升高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,分别增加达 2 0 %、15 %和 13% ,舒张压升高不显著 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;Ⅲ组患者应用氯胺酮后 ,SBP和DBP均呈显著下降(P <0 .0 5 ) ,分别减低 15 %和 10 %。②HR :Ⅰ、Ⅲ组HR增快显著 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,分别达 15 %和 2 5 % ,Ⅱ、Ⅳ组增快不显著 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论　阈下剂量氯胺酮用于失血性休克病人全麻时 ,可以获得满意的临床效果。     

L-精氨酸对严重腹腔感染大鼠肠上皮细胞凋亡的影响

目的 了解L-精氨酸对严重腹腔感染大鼠肠上皮细胞凋亡的影响.方法 18只Wistar大鼠随机分为CLP组(n=6)、ARG组(n=6)和对照组(n=6),CLP组和ARG组均采用大鼠盲肠结扎加穿孔(CLP)制作严重腹腔感染模型;ARG组术后于腹腔注射L-精氨酸(300 mg/kg·d),CLP组术后注射等量生理盐水,对照组仅行剖腹术.各组均于术后24 h取小肠组织,采用原位末端标记法计数各组凋亡细胞.结果 与对照组大鼠比较,CLP组和ARG组小肠黏膜上皮细胞凋亡细胞数量显著升高(P＜0.001);与CLP组比较,ARG组小肠黏膜上皮细胞凋亡细胞数量显著降低(P=0.038).结论 严重腹腔感染可导致大鼠肠黏膜上皮细胞凋亡增多,应用L-精氨酸可减少肠黏膜上皮细胞凋亡.     

氯胺酮 美托洛尔对脓毒症大鼠血清心肌肌钙蛋白Ⅰ肿瘤坏死因子-α和心肌核因子-κB的影响

目的探讨氯胺酮、美托洛尔对脓毒症大鼠心肌损伤的保护作用及其可能机制。方法 30只雄性SD大鼠随机分为5组,假手术组、盲肠结扎加穿孔组、氯胺酮组、美托洛尔组、氯胺酮+美托洛尔组,每组6只。采用盲肠结扎加穿孔法(CLP)建立脓毒症大鼠模型,假手术组不行盲肠结扎加穿孔。关腹后开始计时,氯胺酮组、美托洛尔组、氯胺酮+美托洛尔组分别在CLP后2 h经尾静脉给予氯胺酮5 mg·kg~(-1)·h~(-1),美托洛尔0.05 mg冲击量后0.2 mg·kg~(-1)·h~(-1),美托洛尔0.05 mg冲击量后0.2 mg·kg~(-1)·h~(-1)+氯胺酮5 mg·kg~(-1)·h~(-1),假手术组和盲肠结扎加穿孔组给予等量的0.9%氯化钠注射液。盲肠结扎加穿孔组后5 h经颈总动脉采血2 mL,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法测定血清心肌肌钙蛋白Ⅰ(cTnⅠ)、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α浓度,免疫组织化学法检测心肌核因子(NF)-κB的表达。结果假手术组、氯胺酮组、美托洛尔组、氯胺酮+美托洛尔组血清cTnⅠ、TNF-α、心肌NF-κB均低于盲肠结扎加穿孔组(P<0.05或P<0.01),氯胺酮组、美托洛尔组、氯胺酮+美托洛尔组三者之间血清cTnⅠ、TNF-α、心肌NF-κB差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);氯胺酮组、美托洛尔组、氯胺酮+美托洛尔组血清cTnⅠ与血清TNF-α、心肌NF-κB之间呈正相关(P<0.01)。结论氯胺酮和美托洛尔均有对脓毒症大鼠心肌损伤的保护作用,二者保护作用可能均与抑制NF-κB的活化,减少TNF-α的表达有关,但二者配伍不能增强对脓毒症大鼠心肌损伤保护作用的效果,具体机制有待深入研究。     

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.