氯丙嗪、尼莫地平对过量水杨酸钠致豚鼠内耳损伤的保护作用

目的观察氯丙嗪、尼莫地平在过量水杨酸钠致豚鼠内耳损伤中的作用。方法将48只健康且耳廓反射正常的花色豚鼠随机分为4组,每组12只,A组:对照组(给等量生理盐水);B组:水杨酸钠(450mg/kg·d~(-1))组;C组:水杨酸钠(450mg/kg·d~(-1))+氯丙嗪(5mg/kg·d~(-1))组;D组:水杨酸钠(450mg/kg·d~(-1))+尼莫地平(3mg/kg·d~(-1))组。①测试ABR听反应阈和Ⅰ波潜伏期;②用放射免疫的方法检测耳蜗组织PG11α含量;③用比色发测量血浆中的NO含量。结果①B组、C组和D组动物在给药后的第2、4和第6天ABR阈值均有明显提高,对照组ABR阈值没有明显改变。B组于给药后的第6天达最高。同期各给药组组间比较C组和D组用药后第4、6、8、10天ABR阈值明显低于B组(P<0.05)。②A组在各时间段所测ABR Ⅰ波潜伏期无显著波动。B组、C组和D组在给药后的第4、6、8、10天与同期对照组比较及显著延长(P<0.05),这种变化在水杨酸钠给药组尤为明显(P<0.01)。而C组和D组在给药后的第8天和第10天与同期水杨酸钠给药组比较明显缩短(P<0.05)。③B组豚鼠耳蜗组织PGF1α含量明显低于对照组(P<0.001)和C组(P<0.005)以及D组(P<0.001)。而血浆NO含量B组明显低于对照组(P<0.01)和C组(P<0.05)。结论氯丙嗪、尼莫地平可能在一定程度上具有拮抗大剂量水杨酸钠引     

水杨酸钠对幼年豚鼠螺旋神经节GAD蛋白表达和ABR阈值的影响

目的:观察水杨酸钠给药对幼年豚鼠螺旋神经节谷氨酸脱羧酶(GAD)蛋白表达和听性脑干诱发电位(ABR)阈值的影响.方法:将48只出生7 d的幼年健康豚鼠分为4组,每组12只.A组:对照组;B组:低剂量水杨酸钠给药组(200 mg/kg·d-1);C组:中剂量水杨酸钠给药组(300 mg/kg·d-1);D组:高剂量水杨酸钠给药组(450 mg/kg·d-1).给药前和给药15 d后检测ABR阈值,然后处死动物采用免疫组织化学染色方法检测豚鼠螺旋神经节GAD蛋白表达.结果:①给药15 d后B、C、D 3组ABR阈值较对照组均有明显提高(P<0.05), B、C、D 3组以D组ABR阈值提高最为明显,C组次之,B组ABR阈值改变最小;②B、C、D 3组GAD蛋白表达积分光密度值较对照组显著降低(P<0.01);B、C、D 3组以D组GAD蛋白表达积分光密度值降低最为明显,C组次之,B组GAD蛋白表达改变最小.结论:水杨酸钠可显著提高豚鼠ABR阈值并使豚鼠螺旋神经节GAD蛋白表达降低,其改变豚鼠螺旋神经节GAD蛋白表达以及ABR阈值与给药剂量有关.     

氯丙嗪、尼莫地平在豚鼠噪声性听力损失中的保护作用

目的观察氯丙嗪、尼莫地平在豚鼠噪声性听力损失中的作用。方法将 48只健康且耳廓反射正常的花色豚鼠随机分为 4组 :A组 :噪声暴露组 (噪声暴露 +等量生理盐水 ) ;B组 :噪声暴露 +尼莫地平 [3mg/ (kg·d) ]组 ;C组 :噪声暴露 +氯丙嗪 [5mg/ (kg·d) ]组 ;D组 :噪声暴露 +尼莫地平 [1 .5mg/ (kg·d) ]+氯丙嗪 [2 .5mg/ (kg·d) ]组。所有动物均经腹腔注射给药。噪声暴露采用 1 0 5dBSPL的 4kHz窄带噪声下暴露 2h ,连续 1 0d。由圆窗记录CAP的阈值、振幅及潜伏期。结果①接受噪声暴露后的第 2、4天CAP阈值均有明显提高 ,组间比较无显著性差异。从第 6天开始B、D组阈值呈明显下降趋势 ,与同组第 4天比较有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;而A、C两组则没呈现这种下降趋势。对上述各组同期所测的阈值进行比较发现 ,B、D两组在用药后的第 6、8、1 0天CAP阈值较同期A组所测之阈值均有明显降低。C组在用药后的第 1 0天CAP阈值与A组比较亦有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。②B、C、D三组所测的CAP振幅幅度均较噪声暴露前所测的振幅降低 ,在接受噪声暴露后的第 4天所测的这种振幅的改变最明显。同期比较这三组在第 4天所测的这种振幅的改变与第 6、8、1 0天所测之结果无显著性差异。同期比较 ,第 1 0天B、D两组CAP振幅明显高     

他达那非对感音神经性聋潜伏期的影响

目的探讨他达那非对感音神经性聋潜伏期的影响。方法采用随机数字表法将80只豚鼠分为正常对照组、阴性对照组、他达那非组和盐酸氟桂利嗪组(阳性对照组),各20只。阴性对照组、他达那非组、盐酸氟桂利嗪组豚鼠在白噪声暴露1周后分别腹腔注射0.9%Na Cl注射液4 m L/(kg·d)、他达那非2 mg/(kg·d)、盐酸氟桂利嗪0.5 mg/(kg·d),连续给药4周。分别测试噪声暴露前1 d、噪声暴露后1、2、4周Ⅰ波潜伏期和听性脑干反应(ABR)阈值,并通过扫描电镜观察噪声暴露后4周豚鼠耳蜗毛细胞的形态变化。结果正常对照组豚鼠在噪声暴露后、给药1周后、给药2周后、给药4周后其Ⅰ波潜伏期较噪声暴露前基本无明显改变,阴性对照组在噪声暴露后、给药1周后、给药2周后、给药4周后后较噪声暴露前和噪声暴露后ABRⅠ波潜伏期呈延长趋势,他达那非组和盐酸氟桂利嗪组豚鼠在给药1周后、给药2周后、给药4周后较噪声暴露后ABRⅠ波潜伏期均呈下降趋势[(1.289±0.014)、(1.747±0.020)、(1.698±0.018)、(1.628±0.018)、(1.533±0.021)ms,(1.299±0.011)、(1.760±0.016)、(1.711±0.014)、(1.640±0.015)、(1.545±0.018)ms]。正常对照组豚鼠在噪声暴露后、给药1周后、给药2周后、给药4周后ABR阈值较噪声暴露前基本无明显改变,阴性对照组豚鼠噪声暴露后给药1周后ABR阈值呈延长趋势,他达那非组和盐酸氟桂利嗪组噪声暴露后给药1周后听性脑干反应阈值呈延长趋势,给药2周后其ABR阈值均呈不同程度下降[(23.9±0.8)、(41.1±9.9)、(43.2±1.7)、(38.8±1.8)、(29.8±2.8)d B,(24.0±0.9)、(41.1±9.9)、(41.5±10.0)、(39.2±1.7)、(30.1±2.9)d B]。扫描电镜显示,阴性对照组豚鼠耳蜗外毛细胞出现听毛紊乱、融合及缺失;而他达那非组及氟桂利嗪组耳蜗病变均较轻,听毛仅有不同程度的轻微倒伏、融合现象。结论他达那非能够减轻感音神经性聋对豚鼠耳蜗毛细胞的损害,缩短其引起的Ⅰ波潜伏期延长。     

水杨酸钠给药对小鼠下丘核NGB mRNA和蛋白表达的影响

目的 :观察水杨酸钠给药对小鼠下丘核NGBmRNA和蛋白表达的影响 .方法 :成年健康昆明小鼠 4 8只分为A ,B ,C ,D四组 ,每组 12只 .A为对照组 ,B ,C ,D分别为水杨酸钠 2 0 0 ,30 0和 4 5 0mg/ (kg·d)给药组 .给药 15d后处死检测 ;采用RT PCR检测实验小鼠下丘核区NGBmRNA的表达 ;Western Blot分析NGB蛋白表达 .结果 :①对照组小鼠下丘核区NGBmRNA表达明显高于三个水杨酸钠给药组 (P <0 .0 1) ;三个水杨酸钠给药组NGBmRNA表达比较以D组表达最低 ,B组表达最高 ,C组与D组比较有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 ) .②Western Blot检测结果显示实验各组均表达相对分子质量约为 170 0 0的NGB蛋白 .A组NGB蛋白表达明显高于其他各组 ;三个水杨酸钠给药组以B组表达最高D组表达最低 .结论 :水杨酸钠可显著降低下丘核神经元NGBmRNA和蛋白表达 ;水杨酸钠给药对下丘核神经元NGBmRNA和蛋白表达与给药剂量有关 .     

一氧化氮在小肠推进运动中的作用

目的　观察一氧化氮 (NO)对小鼠小肠推进运动的影响。方法　采用胃内灌注技术 (含 12 %活性炭和4%黄芪胶的炭末胶液灌胃 ) ,计算炭末胶液在小肠内推进距离占小肠全长的百分比 ,以此作为小肠推进速度的指标。观察尾静脉给予NO合成前体L -精氨酸和NO合酶抑制剂L -NAME在小肠推进运动中的作用。结果　正常对照组小肠推进速度为 (70 .6 5± 9.2 2 ) %。尾静脉注射NO合成前体L -精氨酸 (L -Arg)推进速度为 (5 7.33±7.2 5 ) % ,与对照组相比显著减慢 (P <0 .0 1) ;尾静脉注射NO合酶抑制剂L -NG -硝基精氨酸甲酯 (L -NAME)可阻断L -Arg对小肠推进运动的减弱作用 (P <0 .0 1) ,但单独静脉注射L -NAME 12mg kg后 ,小鼠小肠推进运动也明显减慢 ,与对照组相比亦有极其显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　NO参与小鼠小肠推进运动的抑制作用 ,小肠推进运动速度除与小肠本身功能有关外 ,尚与胃排空活动有关     

他汀类药物联合黄连素治疗高脂血症的疗效评估

目的:研究辛伐他汀(simvastatin,SIMVA)联合黄连素(berberine,BBR)治疗高脂血症的临床疗效及安全性?方法:99例高脂血症患者随机分为3组:A组(SIMVA组),B组(BBR组),C组(SIMVA+BBR组)连续治疗8周?观察患者治疗前后的血脂?肝肾功能等变化?动物实验研究把高脂大鼠随机分为高脂组(6只,生理盐水),辛伐他汀[SIMVA,9只,6 mg/(kg·d)]组,黄连素[BBR,9只,90 mg/(kg·d)]组,辛伐他汀[SIMVA,6 mg/(kg·d)]+黄连素[BBR,90 mg/(kg·d)]组,辛伐他汀[SIMVA,9只,12 mg/(kg·d)]组,喂养30天,分别检测TC?TG?LDL-C及LDLR-mRNA水平的变化?结果:临床研究发现联合用药组疗效明显优于单用药组,显效病例数是SIMVA组的1倍,有效率达100%;SIMVA组治疗前后TC?LDL-C值差异有统计学意义(P < 0.01),BBR组和BBR+SIMVA组治疗前后比较TC?TG和LDL-C差异显著(P < 0.01);3组间比较,C组降低TC?TG?LDL-C较A组差异有显著性统计学意义(P < 0.01),C组治疗期间未见明显不良反应?同时,动物实验也提示联合治疗在降低血脂和上调低密度脂蛋白受体(LDLR)上有明显的统计学意义(P < 0.01),6 mg/(kg·d) SIMVA联合有效剂量的BBR治疗高脂血症疗效与12 mg/(kg·d) SIMVA相当?结论: 联合治疗比单用SIMVA或BBR更能有效降低LDL-C,增加BBR来治疗高脂血症患者可以减少他汀类药物用量的50%?BBR作为他汀降脂药的理想补充剂给高脂血症患者提供了一种新的治疗方式?     

两种剂量氨甲喋呤治疗异位妊娠的比较

目的 :探讨超大剂量氨甲喋呤 (MethotrexateMTX)保守治疗异位妊娠的临床价值。方法 :6 0例患者分大剂量MTX 1.0mg/(kg·d)qod× 4静滴 ,次日甲酰四氢叶酸钙 (CF) 0 .1mg/(kg·d)qod× 4肌注解毒 (A组 ) ,超大剂量MTX 1.5mg/(kg·d) qod× 4静滴 ,CF 0 .15mg/(kg·d) qod× 4肌注 (B组 )进行比较。结果 :B组较A组能明显缩短血 β hCG(绒毛膜促性腺激素 )降至正常范围的时间 ,减少住院天数 ,提高治疗成功率 (P <0 .0 5)。结论 :超大剂量氨甲喋呤治疗异位妊娠有一定临床应用价值。     

染料木素对大鼠生殖毒性的实验研究（I）一般生殖毒性

目的为保证染料木素临床用药的安全,评价其生殖毒性.方法16,160,480 mg/(kg·d)染料木素分别连续ig雄、雌性大鼠60 d,14 d后合笼,雄性大鼠给药至交配结束,雌性大鼠给药至妊娠第17天,观察染料木素对大鼠的受胎能力、生殖系统及子代的影响.结果染料木素480 mg/(kg·d)引起亲代雄性大鼠精子活动度下降,但未发现睾丸病变,也未影响雄鼠生殖能力;同时使雌鼠妊娠期体重增长明显低于其他组(P＜0.01),但未影响胚胎形成、仔鼠生长发育.160 mg/(kg·d)剂量对亲代和子代未引起明显的异常.结论染料木素160 mg/(kg·d)对雌、雄性大鼠无一般生殖毒性作用.     

建立顺铂诱发豚鼠耳聋实验模型的研究

目的　探讨顺铂诱发豚鼠耳聋模型的制备方法。方法　将动物随机分成三组:1组动物腹腔注射生理盐水2ml/kg·d。2组腹腔注射顺铂2mg/kg·d ;3组腹腔注射顺铂4mg/kg·d。用耳廓反射(PR)和脑干听觉诱发电位(BAEP)检测动物听觉反应阈为指标,以动物听觉反应阈上升1 0dB以上者定为听力减退。结果　1组PR和BAEP反应阈用药前后无明显变化;3组动物,用药第6天2 0只豚鼠PR及BAEP反应阈均升高,死亡4只,死亡率占2 0 %,耳聋动物1 6只;2组动物,用药第6天2 0只豚鼠PR及BAEP反应阈升高幅度明显低于3组的动物(P <0 . 0 1 ) ,死亡3只,死亡率占1 5 %。两组间死亡率无显著性差异(P >0 . 0 5 )。结论　建立顺铂诱发豚鼠耳聋模型以4mg/kg·d为最适剂量。     

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.