人参皂苷Rg3、干扰素α联合与单一用药治疗血吸虫病肝纤维化疗效对比

目的比较人参皂苷Rg3、IFN-α联合用药与单一用药抗日本血吸虫病肝纤维化的疗效.方法将56只雄性IcR小鼠随机分为5组(A组为正常对照组,B、C、D、E组为治疗组),除A组8只外,其余B、C、D、E每组各12只.以腹部贴片法经皮肤感染B、C、D、E组小鼠,每只小鼠感染尾蚴18～22条.10周末,以每鼠吡喹酮1次性灌胃(300 mg/kg体重)杀虫治疗.继而分别以人参皂苷Rg3联合IFN-α使用和2者分别单独治疗B、C、D组小鼠,连续8周;第18周末,取各鼠肝组织分别作苏木素-伊红(HE)染色和苦味酸-酸性品红(VG)染色,观察分析各组小鼠肝脏胶原面积百分比及肝纤维化程度(SSS评分),以比较人参皂苷Rg3和IFN-α联合用药与单一用药的治疗效果.结果肝纤维化小鼠经人参皂苷Rg3、IFN-α联合或单一分别治疗8周后,肝脏仍有不同程度增大,暗褐色,质地略韧.肝脏内纤维增生、炎细胞浸润等病变比模型组减轻.3组治疗组肝脏胶原面积百分比均降低(P<0.05);SSS评分均低于实验对照组2分以上(P<0.05);3治疗组间胶原面积百分比及SSS评分没有统计学差异(P>0.05).结论吡喹酮治疗后,人参皂苷Rg3和IFN-α联合用药与单一用药一样,均具有改善小鼠日本血吸虫病肝纤维化作用,但2者合用疗效不优于单独用药,没有协同作用.     

抗纤灵Ⅰ方对小鼠血吸虫病肝纤维化的干预及机制探讨

目的：观察抗纤灵Ⅰ方对小鼠血吸虫病肝纤维化的干预效果,探讨抗纤灵Ⅰ方干预血吸虫肝纤维化的可能分子机制,为抗纤灵Ⅰ方的临床应用提供实验依据。方法采用日本血吸虫尾蚴经皮肤贴片感染昆明小鼠,建立血吸虫病早期肝纤维化动物模型,将建模成功的小鼠用吡喹酮药物连续杀虫治疗后分为抗纤灵Ⅰ方低、中、高剂量组,抗纤灵Ⅰ方的丹参加味方低、中、高剂量组,秋水仙素治疗对照组,蒸馏水灌胃对照组和未做任何处理的模型对照9组。以未感染血吸虫的正常小鼠为肝纤维化阴性对照组。各实验组连续灌胃治疗8周,收集各组小鼠肝脏,HE染色观察肝纤维化病理改变,测量肝组织虫卵肉芽肿平均面积;免疫组化染色方法检测肝组织内胶原蛋白Ⅰ、Ⅲ、MMP-1蛋白酶以及TIMP-1蛋白的表达,比较各组间的蛋白表达差异。结果 HE染色显示,与模型组和正常对照组相比抗纤灵Ⅰ方及其丹参加味方高剂量组可显著减少肝组织虫卵肉芽肿面积（P<0.05）;免疫组化染色结果显示,与模型组比较,抗纤灵Ⅰ方及其丹参加味方中、高剂量组干预后小鼠肝组织内的胶原Ⅰ、Ⅲ蛋白以及TIMP-1蛋白表达显著减少（P<0.05）、MMP-1蛋白酶表达显著增加（P<0.05）,但抗纤灵Ⅰ方与丹参加味方之间差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论抗纤灵Ⅰ方及其丹参加味方对小鼠血吸虫病肝纤维化具有较好的干预效果,但两者在疗效上差异无统计学意义,丹参未能增强抗纤灵Ⅰ方的干预肝纤维化效果;抗纤灵Ⅰ方的干预机制可能是通过抑制肝组织内胶原蛋白Ⅰ、Ⅲ和TIMP-1蛋白的表达,增加MMP-1蛋白酶的表达来发挥作用。     

抗纤二号治疗小鼠日本血吸虫病肝纤维化疗效观察及对肝脏PDGF表达的影响

目的 研究抗纤二号治疗小鼠日本血吸虫病肝纤维化疗效及对肝脏血小板衍生生长因子（PDGF）表达的影响。方法 50只日本血吸虫病肝纤维化小鼠均分5组，对照组不作任何治疗。吡喹酮组使用吡喹酮治疗；联合治疗组使用吡喹酮联合中药复方治疗；中药组仅用复方中药治疗。应用HE观察肝脏病理变化，免疫组化方法观察PDGF-BB和α-SMA阳性细胞的表达，massson染色观察肝脏胶原纤维并用图像分析仪进行胶原定量。结果 吡喹酮联合中药复方治疗组的肝脏病理改善最明显，PDGF-BB的表达和α-SMA阳性细胞数及腔原含量的下降均最明显，与吡喹酮组、中药组和对照组比较均有统计学差异（P〈0．05）。中药组PDGF-BB的表达、α-SMA阳性细胞数和肝脏胶原较对照组（18周）均无明显下降（P〉0．05）。结论 抗纤二号治疗不能阻止血吸虫病肝纤维化的进展，但联合吡喹酮治疗具有较好的治疗作用；其抗纤维化的作用可能是由于联合应用能更好的控制肝脏炎症反应和降低PDGF-BB的表达和α-SMA阳性细胞数来实现的。     

血吸虫病虫卵肉芽肿与肝纤维化的动态观察

目的:从形态学和血清学角度探讨血吸虫病虫卵肉芽肿与肝纤维化之间的关系.方法:用血吸虫尾蚴感染新西兰家兔,建立血吸虫病动物模型.采用石蜡切片、HE染色动态观察日本血吸虫病急性期、慢性期、晚期肝脏虫卵肉芽肿大小,放射免疫检测仪测定不同时期的血清中透明质酸(hyaluronic acid,HA)含量的变化.结果:感染第6周家兔肝脏出现虫卵肉芽肿,第12周肉芽肿缩小,周围发现成纤维细胞,至第21周时虫卵肉芽肿明显缩小,肝脏纤维化程度增高,并有纤维组织增生.同时,血清HA含量检测显示随感染时间延长,体内HA水平逐渐升高.结论:血吸虫病是一个持续进展的过程,包含虫卵肉芽肿与肝脏纤维化两大病理变化,两者间发病机制不同,肝纤维化是虫卵肉芽肿的间接延伸.     

N-乙酰半胱氨酸对日本血吸虫病小鼠肝纤维化的影响

目的观察N－乙酰半胱氨酸（NAC）对日本血吸虫病小鼠肝纤维化的影响。方法将小鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、预防a、b组和治疗a-b组。除正常组外,其他各组每只小鼠经腹部皮肤人工感染日本血吸虫尾蚴30条。在感染同时给预防a、b组、感染后第六周给治疗a、b组分别以200mg/kg和400mg／kgNAC两种剂量灌胃,2次,d。正常组、模型组和预防组分别在第42d、56d时,治疗组在第56d时处死小鼠,取肝脏,石蜡包埋切片,VG染色观察各组肝组织内纤维增生程度,测量肝内胶原纤维的面积,检测肝组织中羟脯氨酸（Hyp）的含量。结果预防a组第42d时肝组织中胶原面积显著比第56d时小（P〈0．05）,第42d时肝组织中胶原面积比模型组小46．67％（P〈0．05）,第56d时肝组织中胶原面积比模型组小53．12％（P〈0．05）;第42d时和第56d时肝组织中Hyp含量净减少率分别为67．58％和31．34％（P〈0．05）。治疗a组肝组织中胶原面积比模型组小28．12％（P〈0．05）;肝组织中Hyp含量净减少率为21．23％（P〈0．05）。预防b组和治疗b组的疗效不佳。结论预防用小剂量NAC减缓日本血吸虫病小鼠肝纤维化的效果最好。     

HMGB1在日本血吸虫病小鼠肝脏虫卵肉芽肿组织中的表达

目的：：确定日本血吸虫病小鼠肝脏虫卵肉芽肿形成过程中 HMGB1的表达。方法：建立日本血吸虫病小鼠模型,免疫组织化学方法检测肝脏虫卵肉芽肿形成过程中 HMGB1的表达,半定量方法测定 HMGB1表达的累积光密度值(IOD),ANOVA 统计分析各组之间差异。结果：未感染日本血吸虫尾蚴的对照组小鼠肝脏与感染尾蚴后2、4、6周模型组小鼠肝脏虫卵肉芽肿组织中 HMGB1表达差异有显著性(F =526.30,P <0.05),除感染尾蚴后4、6周的模型组差异不具有显著性(t =1.574,P =0.1162)外,其余各组差异均具有显著性(P <0.05)。结论：HMGB1可能参与日本血吸虫病小鼠肝脏虫卵肉芽肿的形成过程。     

维生素E对小鼠日本血吸虫病肝纤维化的治疗作用及其机制

目的: 探讨维生素E (Vit E)抗小鼠日本血吸虫病肝纤维化作用及其机制. 方法: 用日本血吸虫尾蚴皮肤敷贴法感染小鼠,构建日本血吸虫病肝纤维化模型,以肝纤维化达Ⅱ级或Ⅱ级以上作为开始Vit E治疗标志. 实验分5组: 正常对照组、模型组及Vit E高、中、低剂量组(每日150, 50, 5 mg/kg), 8 wk末处死动物,HE和VG染色对肝组织进行病理学检查,分光光度法检测肝组织丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,免疫组化SP法检测肝星状细胞(HSC)标记物α-平滑肌动蛋白(α-SMA)表达,RT-PCR方法检测肝脏α1(I)型前胶原mRNA表达. 结果: Vit E降低模型组肝脏MDA含量[(5.00±0.31) μmol/g vs (11.66±1.84) μmol/g, P＜0.05],提高SOD活性[(249.84±26.22) μkat/g vs (120.11±42.61) μkat/g, P＜0.05];减少α-SMA阳性表达 [(0.41±0.02) vs (0.68±0.02), P＜0.05];降低肝脏胶原含量[(0.23±0.01) vs (0.60±0.11), P＜0.05]和α1(I)型前胶原基因表达[(0.28±0.01) vs (0.85±0.15), P＜0.05]. 结论: Vit E具有抗小鼠日本血吸虫病肝纤维化作用,其机制与抗脂质过氧化作用、抑制HSC活化和增殖、降低α1(I)型前胶原基因表达和胶原合成有关.     

干扰素-α对CCl_4诱导的大鼠肝纤维化疗效研究

目的：观察干扰素-α（interferonα,IFN-α）对四氯化碳（CCl4）诱导的大鼠肝纤维化的治疗效果,并探讨其可能的机制。方法：45只Wistar大鼠随机分为正常组（n=15）、模型组（n=15）、IFN-α治疗组（n=15）。正常组大鼠予以橄榄油2 mL/kg腹腔注射,每周注射2次,共8周;模型组及IFN-α治疗组大鼠予以50%CCl4 2 mL/kg腹腔注射造模,每周注射2次,共8周;IFN-α治疗组于第9周予以IFN-α每日10万U/只,皮下注射,共治疗3周。11周末处死所有大鼠。取肝组织进行炎症活动度半定量评分、纤维化半定量评分,检测羟脯氨酸含量,Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型胶原、转化生长因子-β1（transforming growth factorβ1,TGF-β1）、结缔组织生长因子（connective tissue growth factor,CTGF）、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-smooth muscle actin,α-SMA）、基质金属蛋白酶（matrix metalloproteinase,MMPs）及组织金属蛋白酶抑制因子（tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase,TIMP-1）mRNA表达量,以及MMP-9和TIMP-1蛋白表达量。结果：与模型组比较,IFN-α治疗组肝组织炎症活动度半定量评分、纤维化半定量评分显著降低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;羟脯氨酸含量及Ⅰ型、Ⅲ型胶原mRNA表达量显著降低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;TGF-β1,CTGF,α-SMA,TIMP-1 mRNA表达量及TIMP-1蛋白表达量显著降低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,MMP-9蛋白及mRNA表达量差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论：IFN-α可明显减轻CCl4诱导的大鼠肝纤维化及肝脏炎症反应,其作用机制可能为下调促肝纤维化因子TGF-β1和CTGF的表达,抑制肝星状细胞的活化,减少细胞外基质的合成;抑制肝纤维化降解因子TIMP-1的表达,调节细胞外基质的降解。     

小鼠日本血吸虫病肝纤维化肝脏CTGF的表达及意义

目的研究结缔组织生长因子(connective tissue growth factor,CTGF)在日本血吸虫病肝纤维化小鼠肝脏中的表达状况及意义。方法用昆明小鼠感染尾蚴复制小鼠日本血吸虫病肝纤维化模型;RT-PCR和免疫组化分别检测小鼠肝脏CTGFmRNA和蛋白的表达,免疫组化方法观察各阶段肝脏α-SMA阳性细胞的表达。结果模型组10周时形成典型的肝纤维化,此时模型组小鼠肝脏CTGFmRNA和蛋白表达、α-SMA 细胞数达高峰,10周、14周、18周时与治疗组相比均有明显的统计学差异(P均>0.05);CTGFmRNA和蛋白表达水平与α-SMA 细胞数均呈直线相关性。结论CTGF基因和蛋白表达增高与小鼠日本血吸虫病肝纤维化形成有密切关系;CTGF在小鼠日本血吸虫病肝纤维化形成过程中的作用可能主要通过作用于活化的肝星状细胞来实现的。     

绞股蓝总皂甙减轻小鼠血吸虫性肝纤维化的实验观察

本实验采用绞股蓝总皂甙（ＧＰｓ）治疗小鼠血吸虫病，观察其对血吸虫性肝纤维化的影响。结果表明，ＧＰｓ治疗组肝虫卵肉芽肿反应增长比和肝纤维化程度均明显小于感染对照组（Ｐ〈０．０５），提示ＧＰｓ具有减轻血吸虫性肝纤维化的作用，也提示自由基在血吸虫虫卵肉芽肿形成和发展中起了重要作用。     

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.