艾塞那肽诱发大鼠胰腺组织病变研究

目的 探讨艾塞那肽对大鼠胰腺组织的损伤作用.方法 30只SD大鼠随机分为艾塞那肽实验组和空白对照组,每组15只,连续10周分别每日两次皮下注射艾塞那肽5μg/kg或等量生理盐水.大鼠处死后取下腔静脉血和胰腺组织标本,ELISA法检测血清淀粉酶、脂肪酶、白介素(IL)-1、IL-6和肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α水平及胰腺组织髓过氧化物酶(MOP)含量,计算胰腺干质量/湿质量比,胰腺组织HE染色并行病理学评分,电子显微镜观察胰腺组织超微结构.结果 两组血清淀粉酶、脂肪酶、IL-1、IL-6和TNF-α水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).艾塞那肽实验组胰腺组织MPO含量显著高于空白对照组[(0.24±0.07)U/L和(0.18±0.05)U/L](P<0.05),胰腺干质量/湿质量比显著小于空白对照组(0.183±0.049和0.256±0.064)(P<0.05).HE染色显示,艾塞那肽实验组有5例胰腺组织出现慢性胰腺炎症改变,空白对照组无胰腺炎症性改变.胰腺组织病理学评分显示,除腺体萎缩指标外,两组胰腺组织病变面积、纤维化、炎症和水肿等指标评分差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).电子显微镜观察显示,艾塞那肽实验组腺泡细胞内可见核固缩改变、胞质内空泡形成增多、细胞间隙增宽并有炎症细胞浸润,空白对照组未见明显异常变化.结论 长期应用艾塞那肽可引起大鼠慢性胰腺炎症反应而损伤胰腺组织.     

低分子质量肝素钙对重症胰腺炎大鼠血清白细胞介素-6及白细胞介素-1β水平的影响

目的探讨低分子质量肝素钙对重症胰腺炎大鼠白细胞介素(IL)-6和IL-1β水平的影响。方法胰胆管逆行注射牛磺胆酸钠制作大鼠重症胰腺炎(SAP)模型,Wistar大鼠60只随机分为3组:低分子质量肝素钙治疗组,SAP组,对照组,每组20只。术后6 h后对各实验组采血,对各组大鼠行血清淀粉酶、IL-6及IL-1β的检测。取各组大鼠胰腺组织标本,并进行病理学观察。结果低分子质量肝素钙治疗组血清淀粉酶、IL-6及IL-1β较SAP组降低,胰腺组织坏死程度减轻(P<0.05)。结论低分子质量肝素钙可调节细胞因子水平,减轻胰腺组织的病理学损害,对SAP有治疗作用。     

艾塞那肽促进肥胖糖尿病大鼠胰腺组织的胆固醇流出

目的 利用肥胖糖尿病大鼠模型研究艾塞那肽对胰腺组织ABCA1表达及胆固醇代谢的影响。方法 SD雄性大鼠48只,选取部分大鼠通过高脂饮食和STZ药物诱导建立肥胖合并2型糖尿病大鼠模型,所有大鼠分为4组：正常大鼠注射生理盐水组（A组,12只）,正常大鼠注射艾塞那肽组（B组,12只）,肥胖糖尿病大鼠注射生理盐水组（C组,9只）,糖尿病模型大鼠艾塞那肽组（D组,9只）,10周后通过real-time PCR、Western blot、油红“O”染色、组织胆固醇含量测定、HE染色等检测艾塞那肽对大鼠胰腺组织ABCA1表达、胆固醇代谢、胰岛功能的影响。结果 通过real-time PCR、Western blot等发现较之SD大鼠,肥胖糖尿病大鼠胰腺组织ABCA1表达降低,油红“O”染色显示胰腺组织出现明显脂质沉积,组织胆固醇含量测定发现胰腺组织胆固醇含量增加,HE染色显示胰岛体积显著缩小,结构紊乱（P<0.05）。艾塞那肽可上调肥胖糖尿病大鼠胰腺组织ABCA1表达,减轻胰腺组织脂质沉积,降低胰腺组织胆固醇含量,胰岛数目、体积增多,排列更为规则（P<0.05）。结论 糖脂毒性可导致大鼠胰腺组织ABCA1表达降低,胆固醇流出受阻,胰腺组织胆固醇蓄积。艾塞那肽可上调肥胖糖尿病大鼠胰腺组织ABCA1介导的胆固醇流出,明显降低胆固醇含量,改善胰岛功能。     

早期肝素治疗对重症急性胰腺炎大鼠胰腺组织微血栓形成的影响

目的 观察和评价早期肝素治疗对重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)大鼠胰腺组织微血栓形成的影响和疗效.方法 SD大鼠随机分为SAP组、肝素组和假手术组.12 h检测血清淀粉酶、血浆D-二聚体(D-dimer)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)和白细胞介素6(IL-6);采集胰腺行普通病理检查并计数微血栓.结果 SAP诱发后12 h,SAP组大鼠的存活率显著低于肝素组和假手术组(P<0.05);胰腺组织病理学观察显示,肝素组微血栓数、病理评分显著少于SAP组(P<0.05);血清淀粉酶、D-dimer、TNF-α以及IL-6检测结果也显示肝素组较SAP组显著改善(P<0.05).结论 早期肝素治疗能减轻胰腺病理损害,减少胰腺组织微血栓数量,降低全身炎性反应,提高SAP大鼠的生存率.     

高脂血症对孕期大鼠急性胰腺炎的影响

目的:探讨高脂血症对孕期大鼠急性胰腺炎(AP)的影响。方法:妊娠大鼠随机分为实验组(高脂饲料)和对照组(均衡饲料),分别喂养16 d后,用L-精氨酸盐酸盐(L-Arg)溶液(250 mg/100 g)进行腹腔注射,1 h后再次腹腔内注射(200 mg/100g)。计算48 h内大鼠死亡率,分别于末次注射后0、12、24和48 h检测血清甘油三酯(TG)、淀粉酶(AMS)和脂肪酶(LPS);计算胰腺湿/干重比值;观察胰腺组织的病理变化并评分,免疫组化SP法检测胰腺组织Bax表达。结果:实验组死亡率8.3%,对照组0.0%。实验组TG较对照组明显升高(P<0.05);实验组AMS、LPS峰值分别在24、12 h出现,对照组都在24 h出现且明显较实验组低(P<0.05)。在L-Arg末次注射后12、24 h,实验组胰腺湿/干重比值较对照组升高(P<0.05),胰腺水肿出血、炎症浸润也较对照组更重,病理评分更高(P<0.05)。Bax表达的峰值提早出现,且比对照组高(P<0.05)。结论:高脂血症能使L-Arg诱导的孕期AP提前出现,在此过程中凋亡基因Bax可能参与诱导胰腺腺泡的凋亡,从而减轻胰腺炎的严重程度。     

罗格列酮对重症急性胰腺炎的保护作用

目的:探讨罗格列酮对重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)的保护作用及其作用机制。方法:72只健康SD大鼠随机分为3组:假手术组(SO组)、SAP组及罗格列酮处理组。采用经十二指肠胰胆管逆行注射5%牛磺胆酸钠诱导大鼠SAP模型,于模型制作前30min腹腔内注射罗格列酮(10mg/kg)进行预处理,各组于术后3h、6h和12h分批处死动物,观察各组大鼠血浆淀粉酶、TNF-α、IL-6、胰腺组织髓过氧化物酶(MPO)水平的变化以及胰腺组织病理改变,并进行病理学评分。结果:SAP组血浆淀粉酶、TNF-α、IL-6、胰腺组织MPO、胰腺组织病理学评分较SO组均明显升高(P<0.05),罗格列酮处理组各时间点血浆淀粉酶、TNF-α、IL-6、胰腺组织MPO水平均较SAP组显著降低(P<0.05),6h、12h胰腺组织病理评分均显著低于SAP组(P<0.05),各时间点胰腺组织病理损伤较SAP组明显减轻。结论:罗格列酮可能通过减少TNF-α、IL-6的产生,减轻胰腺组织损伤,从而改善SAP病情。     

EFFECTS OF INTERLEUKIN 10 ONSERUM IL-6 LEVELS IN RATS WITH ACUTE NECROTIZING PANCREATITIS

目的:探讨重组人白介素10 (IL-10)对急性坏死性胰腺炎(ANP)血清IL-6水平的影响,为临床治疗ANP提供新的途径及理论依据.方法:健康雄性SD大鼠92只,随机分成正常对照组(C组)、ANP组(A组)和IL-10干预组(I组).A组大鼠分3次给予腹腔内注射6%的左旋精氨酸(L-Arginine)3×1.0 mg/g体重,每次间隔1 h,诱导ANP;I组于L-Arginine注射诱导胰腺炎后2,5,8 h分别腹腔内注射重组人IL-10 1万U,共3万U;C组大鼠按上述时点给予0.9%生理盐水腹腔内注射作正常对照.在注射诱导胰腺炎后第4,12,24,36小时共4个时点分批处死大鼠,对胰腺组织进行组织病理学评分,并用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测血清淀粉酶水平、血清IL-6水平.结果:A组各时点IL-6、血清淀粉酶水平以及胰腺组织病理学评分较C组明显增高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);其中,胰腺组织病理学评分及血清淀粉酶升高以第24,36小时最为显著;IL-6在4 h达高峰;I组组织病理学评分(除第4小时外)、血清淀粉酶及IL-6各时点值均显著低于A组(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).结论:早期应用重组人IL-10可以抑制炎症细胞因子IL-6释放,降低炎症反应的严重程度,减轻实验性胰腺炎的病理损害.     

雪菊中一种二氢黄酮醇糖苷对小鼠酒精性急性胰腺炎的作用研究

  目的  探讨雪菊中黄酮类化合物(2R, 3R)-二氢槲皮素7-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖(C1)可否减轻脂肪酸乙酯诱导的小鼠酒精性急性胰腺炎(FAEE-AP)的损伤。  方法  将30只健康SPF级小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组及高剂量组,每组6只。除对照组外,其他组小鼠均采用2次腹腔注射1.75 g/kg乙醇和200 mg/kg棕榈油酸的混合物,诱导酒精性急性胰腺炎模型。低、中、高3个剂量组在第0 h、4 h和8 h分别予以12.5、25、50 mg/kg C1腹腔注射。造模后24 h,检测其血清淀粉酶、脂肪酶和白细胞介素(IL)-6水平,胰腺组织胰蛋白酶活性,胰腺和肺组织髓过氧化物酶(MPO)活性,HE染色观察胰腺组织病理学改变,并进行免疫组织化学染色检测胰腺组织中核因子-E2相关受体2(Nrf2)的表达。  结果  模型组胰腺组织病理评分,血清淀粉酶、脂肪酶和胰腺胰蛋白酶活性,血清IL-6水平、胰腺和肺的MPO活性均高于对照组(P < 0.01)。与模型组相比,低剂量(12.5 mg/kg)组的胰腺组织病理明显改善,评分差异有统计学意义(P < 0.05),且血清淀粉酶、脂肪酶和胰腺胰蛋白酶活性,血清IL-6水平、胰腺和肺的MPO活性降低(P < 0.05),并能上调胰腺组织中Nrf2表达。  结论  12.5 mg/kg C1能够通过增强Nrf2的表达,下调炎性因子IL-6,减轻FAEE-AP的损伤。     

Resistin促进急性胰腺炎病情加重的作用机制

目的 分析抵抗素(Resistin)对雨蛙素(caerulein, CN)诱导的小鼠重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)模型的影响,并探讨其恶化机制。方法 将BALB/C小鼠随机分为5组：对照组、CN组、Resistin+CN组、sh-Resistin+CN组和Resistin+CN+3-MA组,每组10只。对Resistin+CN组、sh-Resistin+CN组和Resistin+CN+3-MA组小鼠施用携带Resistin、sh-Resistin的AVV病毒载体;除对照组外,其他4组通过以1 h间隔腹膜内注射10次CN(100μg·kg-1)诱导CN胰腺炎模型;Resistin+CN+3-MA组在最后1次CN注射后2 h通过腹膜内注射3-MA(20 mg·kg-1)。采用干化学法测量血清淀粉酶、酶比色法检测脂肪酶活性。胰腺切片苏木精和伊红(HE)染色后进行胰腺组织病理学评分,采用TUNEL法测定胰腺组织细胞凋亡、透射电子显微镜观察胰腺自噬、Western Blot检测胰腺组织中Resistin表达。结果 与CN组相比,Resistin+CN组的血清淀粉酶、脂肪酶活性,胰腺组织病理学评分和TUNEL阳性细胞百分比显著增加(P<0.05);sh-Resistin+CN组小鼠的血清淀粉酶、脂肪酶活性,胰腺组织病理学评分和TUNEL阳性细胞百分比显著降低(P<0.05)。与CN组相比,Resistin+CN组中每个细胞质区域的自噬泡百分比显著增加,sh-Resistin+CN组的自噬泡百分比显著降低。Resistin+CN组胰腺组织中P62、LC3Ⅱ水平较CN组显著增加,而sh-Resistin+CN组胰腺组织中P62、LC3Ⅱ水平较CN组显著降低。与Resistin+CN组相比,Resistin+CN+3-MA组的胰腺组织学评分以及胰腺组织中P62、LC3Ⅱ水平和自噬泡百分比均显著降低(P<0.05)。结论 Resistin通过诱导自噬受损在SAP发展中发挥重要作用。     

The protective effects of hydrogen-rich saline for traumatic pancreatitis in rats.

目的 探讨一种抗氧化剂--氢气生理盐水(hydrogen-rich saline,HS)对大鼠创伤性胰腺炎(traumatic pancreatitis,TP)的保护作用.方法 将雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组(sham组)、创伤性胰腺炎组(TP组)、生理盐水处理组(TP+NS组)和HS处理组(TP+HS组),其中80只分4组,观察各组7 d生存率;另有24只大鼠同上分为4组,分别于术后12 h取胰腺组织观察组织病理学变化及观察细胞因子、血清脂肪酶、淀粉酶变化.结果 TP+HS组术后7 d生存率明显高于TP+HS组(P<0.05); 术后TP+HS组胰腺组织病理损伤较TP+NS组轻; 与TP+NS组相比,TP+HS组炎症因子TNF-α和IL-1β明显下降(P<0.05); 术后TP+HS组与TP+NS组血清淀粉酶和脂肪酶无明显改变.结论 HS能降低组织中炎性因子,减轻大鼠胰腺损伤,是一种治疗TP的可行方法.     

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.