补肺健脾益肾方治疗对老年COPD稳定期患者T淋巴细胞亚群、BODE指数及生活质量的影响

目的:评价补肺健脾益肾方治疗老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)稳定期的疗效及对患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、BODE指数及生活质量的影响.方法:将80例中医辨证为肺脾肾气虚型COPD稳定期患者随机分组,对照组(40例)仅采取常规西医治疗,而观察组(40例)在常规西医治疗的基础上联合补肺健脾益肾汤,治疗8周后比较临床疗效及患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、BODE指数及生活质量的变化.结果:经治疗后观察组BODE指数及BMI积分、FEV1积分、MMRC积分、6MWT积分均较对照组明显减少,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);经治疗后观察组CD3+、CD4+及CD4+/CD8+较对照组明显升高,CD8 +水平较对照组明显降低,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);两组经治疗后肺功能指标FEV1和FEV1/FVC均较治疗前有明显改善,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);两组治疗后SGRQ评分均较治疗前明显降低,但观察组治疗后SGRQ评分明显低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:补肺健脾益肾方用于老年COPD稳定期治疗可改善患者肺功能及BODE指数,提高生活质量,增强细胞免疫功能.     

补肾解毒化瘀方联合CPT化疗方案治疗老年多发性骨髓瘤临床观察

目的 观察补肾解毒化瘀方联合CPT化疗方案治疗老年多发性骨髓瘤的临床疗效及其对免疫功能的影响。方法 将40例老年多发性骨髓瘤患者随机分为治疗组与对照组,每组20例,两组均采用CPT化疗方案,28 d为1个周期,6个周期评价疗效;治疗组同时加用补肾解毒化瘀方治疗。观察临床疗效、生活质量变化及中医临床症状改善情况,治疗前后分别观察血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF）、白细胞介素-6（interleukin-6, IL-6）及调节性T细胞的水平变化情况。结果 治疗组与对照组近期疗效分布差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);治疗组骨痛缓解效果显著优于对照组（P<0.05）;治疗组生活质量改善效果优于对照组(P＜0.05);中医临床证候改善方面,治疗组优于对照组(P＜0.05)。治疗前两组VEGF、IL-6水平差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),治疗3个月及6个月后均显著下降（P＜0.05）,且治疗组VEGF、IL-6水平较对照组下降显著(P＜0.05)。调节性T细胞表达比较,治疗前患者CD4+CD25+、CD4+CD25high、CD4+CD25highCD127low细胞比例均显著升高（P＜0.05）,但治疗后两组细胞比例均显著下降(P＜0.05),且治疗组细胞比例较对照组下降更明显(P＜0.05)。结论 补肾解毒化瘀方联合CPT化疗方案治疗多发性骨髓瘤有助于改善患者临床症状,提高免疫功能。     

健脾补肾法治疗糖尿病性腹泻的疗效观察

目的 观察用中医健脾补肾法治疗治疗糖尿病性腹泻的临床疗效.方法 治疗组采用口服自拟健脾补肾方加减治疗,对照组采用口服双岐杆菌三联活菌肠溶胶囊治疗.结果 治疗组31例,治愈15例,好转13例,总有效率90.32%;对照组31例,治愈8例,好转12例,总有效率64.52%.治疗组在缓解腹泻方面明显优于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 中医健脾补肾法对糖尿病性腹泻有良好的治疗效果,可以改善患者的体质,对糖尿病患者生存质量的提高有很大促进作用.     

FOLFOX联合健脾消积合剂治疗晚期胃癌60例临床观察

目的:观察FOLFOX方案联合健脾消积合剂治疗晚期胃癌的临床疗效。方法:60例晚期胃癌患者随机分为对照组和治疗组,各30例。对照组采用FOLFOX方案,治疗组在对照组治疗的基础上加用健脾消积合剂,连续治疗4个周期后比较两组患者的近期疗效、生存质量、毒副反应及外周血T细胞亚群。结果:两组有效率、病灶稳定率、肝肾功能损伤差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);生存质量改善、骨髓抑制、消化道反应差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),治疗组优于对照组;治疗前后两组T细胞亚群差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),治疗组治疗后CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+比治疗前明显增高,与对照组同期比较,CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+明显增高。结论:与单纯FOLFOX化疗方案相比,联合健脾消积合剂能提高晚期胃癌患者的生存质量和免疫功能,减轻毒副反应。     

中药灌肠联合健脾清肠方加减及美沙拉嗪治疗溃疡性结肠炎患者氧化应激反应的临床观察

目的观察中药灌肠联合健脾清肠方加减及美沙拉嗪对溃疡性结肠炎患者氧化应激反应的疗效。方法选取2018年12月—2020年4月于河北省邯郸市第一医院接受治疗的218例溃疡性结肠炎患者为研究对象,按随机数字表法分为研究组(109例,给予中药灌肠联合健脾清肠方加减及美沙拉嗪治疗)和对照组(109例,给予美沙拉嗪治疗)。分别在治疗前后观察两组患者中医证候积分、氧化应激反应[超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)、丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)]、外周血T淋巴细胞亚群比例(CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+、CD4~+/CD8~+)变化情况,并对比两组患者治疗后临床疗效及安全性。结果治疗后,研究组总有效率96.33%明显高于对照组86.24%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者中医证候积分均较治疗前降低,且研究组治疗后低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);两组患者SOD、MDA水平及CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+均较治疗前上升,CD4~+/CD8~+较治疗前降低,且治疗后研究组SOD、MDA水平及CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+均高于对照组,CD4~+/CD8~+低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。在治疗过程中,两组患者均无不良反应发生,且治疗后两组患者血常规、肝功能、肾功能及血脂均正常。结论中药灌肠联合健脾清肠方加减及美沙拉嗪治疗溃疡性结肠炎患者效果确切,可提高氧化应激反应指标水平。     

胃肠安方治疗胃癌前病变的疗效及对患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和生活质量的影响

目的:探讨胃肠安方治疗胃癌前病变的疗效及对患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和生活质量的影响。方法:选择符合观察标准的胃癌前病变患者90例,采用随机数字表将其分成2组,每组45例。对照组服用叶酸片,观察组予胃肠安方,两组均连续用药3个月。疗程结束,比较两组患者中医证候疗效及胃镜下胃黏膜慢性炎症及腺体萎缩、肠上皮化生与异型增生病理的改善情况。于治疗前后抽取外周静脉血,采用流式细胞仪检测外周血T淋巴细胞亚群变化情况;同时采用简明健康状况调查表(SF-36)评价两组患者的生活质量。结果:疗效评价显示,观察组中医证候疗效、胃镜下黏膜慢性炎症及病理改善情况的总有效率分别为91.1%、93.3%、88.9%,对照组分别为64.4%、62.2%、62.2%,观察组均显著高于对照组(P0.01)。治疗后观察组CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+比值均较治疗前明显上升(P0.05),对照组仅CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+比值较治疗前明显上升(P0.05),其中观察组CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+比值均显著高于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后两组患者SF-36总分均较治疗前明显增加(P0.01),其中观察组SF-36总分明显高于对照组(P0.01)。结论:胃肠安方治疗胃癌前病变可有效增强细胞免疫功能,改善患者的生活质量,疗效确切。     

益气补肾活血方对活动性类风湿关节炎患者CD4+CD25+Tr的影响

目的:观察益气补肾活血方对活动性类风湿关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis,RA)患者CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞(CD4~+CD25~+Tr)的影响。方法:纳入60例活动性RA患者,随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组30例。两组患者均给予雷公藤多苷片治疗,治疗组患者在此基础上给予益气补肾活血方治疗,疗程为3个月。评价两组患者的中医证候疗效、中医证候评分,检测患者的CD4~+CD25~+Tr水平的变化。结果:治疗后,治疗组的中医证候疗效总有效率为93.33%,对照组为86.67%,治疗组疗效优于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者的中医证候评分较治疗前均明显降低(P0.05),而两组间中医证候评分比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者的CD4~+CD25~+Tr水平较治疗前均明显升高(P0.05),且治疗组患者的CD4~+CD25~+Tr水平高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:益气补肾活血方能明显缓解活动性RA患者的临床症状,上调患者体内的CD4~+CD25~+Tr水平,从而调节机体的免疫功能。     

健脾化湿通下方经鼻肠管灌注治疗对恶性小肠梗阻患者生存质量及免疫指标的影响

目的:观察健脾化湿通下方经鼻肠管灌注治疗对恶性小肠梗阻患者生存质量及机体免疫功能的影响。方法:将60例恶性小肠梗阻患者随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组30例。所有患者均给予西医常规治疗,治疗组患者在此基础上给予健脾化湿通下方经鼻肠管灌注治疗,治疗周期为28 d。采用Karnofsky功能状态(KPS)评分评估患者的生存质量,比较两组患者体质量的变化,检测并比较两组患者的血清C反应蛋白(CRP)及T淋巴细胞亚群CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+水平。结果:治疗后,治疗组患者的生存质量改善情况优于对照组(P0.05),且治疗组患者的体重高于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者的血清CRP及CD8+水平均显著降低(P0.05),且治疗组患者的CRP及CD8+水平低于对照组(P0.05);治疗组患者的CD3+水平显著升高(P0.05),对照组患者的CD3+水平显著降低(P0.05),治疗组患者的CD3+水平显著高于对照组(P0.05);治疗组患者的CD4+水平显著升高(P0.05),且显著高于对照组(P0.05);两组患者的CD4+/CD8+均显著升高(P0.05),且治疗组患者的CD4+/CD8+高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:健脾化湿通下方经鼻肠管灌注治疗能够明显改善恶性小肠梗阻患者的生存质量,提高患者的免疫功能。     

健脾柔肝方联合恩替卡韦治疗慢性乙型病毒性肝炎肝纤维化的临床研究

目的:观察健脾柔肝方联合恩替卡韦治疗慢性乙型病毒性肝炎(CHB)肝纤维化的临床疗效。方法:将符合纳入标准的92例CHB患者随机分为治疗组46例和对照组46例。治疗组采用健脾柔肝方联合恩替卡韦治疗,对照组采用恩替卡韦治疗,治疗周期均为6个月。分别于治疗前及治疗3个月、6个月时,评价并比较两组患者的中医症状评分,检测患者的乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)表面抗原(HBsAg)、HBV DNA、肝脏硬度测量值(LSM)及CD4、CD8 T淋巴细胞水平,比较两组患者的CD4/CD8比值。结果:研究最终对89例患者的数据进行统计分析,包括治疗组44例、对照组45例。治疗3个月、6个月时,两组患者的各主要临床症状评分较治疗前均降低(P0.05),且治疗组患者的评分低于对照组(P0.05);两组患者的中医症状总积分较治疗前均明显降低(P0.05),且治疗组患者的总积分低于对照组(P0.05)。治疗6个月时,治疗组患者的HBsAg水平较治疗前降低(P0.05);治疗3个月、6个月时,两组患者的HBV DNA水平较治疗前均明显降低(P0.05)。治疗3个月、6个月时,两组患者的LSM较治疗前均降低(P0.05);治疗6个月时,治疗组患者的LSM低于对照组(P0.05)。治疗3个月、6个月时,治疗组患者的CD4 T淋巴细胞水平及CD4/CD8比值较治疗前均明显升高(P0.05),CD8 T淋巴细胞水平较治疗前明显降低(P0.05);对照组患者的CD8 T淋巴细胞水平较治疗前亦明显降低(P0.05),CD4/CD8比值较治疗前明显升高(P0.05);且治疗组患者的CD4 T淋巴细胞水平及CD4/CD8比值明显高于对照组(P0.05)。治疗6个月时,治疗组患者的CD8 T淋巴细胞水平亦明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:健脾柔肝方联合恩替卡韦治疗CHB,可明显改善患者的临床症状,调节免疫功能,延缓肝纤维化的进展。     

健脾益肺汤对急性加重期慢性阻塞性肺疾病脾肺气虚证患者T细胞亚群和炎症因子的影响

目的:观察健脾益肺汤对急性加重期慢性阻塞性肺疾病脾肺气虚证患者的疗效及对其T细胞亚群和细胞炎症因子的影响。方法:86例急性加重期慢性阻塞性肺疾病脾肺气虚证患者作为研究对象,并按照随机数字表法将其分为两组,各43例。对照组患者给予常规疗法,即采用无创呼吸机和常规药物治疗;而观察组患者在对照组基础上加服健脾益肺汤,4周为1个疗程。观察并比较两组患者的临床疗效及外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和细胞炎症因子的变化情况。结果:治疗4周后,观察组患者中医临床症状得到明显改善,有效率为90.69%,高于对照组患者的58.14%(P0.05)。与治疗前比较,两组患者的CD4+、CD4+/CD8+均显著升高(P0.05),而观察组患者上述指标的升高程度更显著(P0.05)。两组患者的CD8+水平显著降低(P0.05),观察组患者该指标的降低幅度相对对照组患者更为显著(P0.05)。治疗1个疗程后,两组患者的细胞炎症因子IL-8、IL-10和TNF-α相对治疗前均显著改善(P0.05或P0.01),但观察组较对照组在上述各指标方面的改善程度更显著(P0.05)。结论:健脾益肺汤可以有效改善急性加重期慢性阻塞性肺疾病脾肺气虚证患者的临床症状,降低炎症反应的程度,同时对患者的免疫功能也具有明显改善作用。     

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.