抗hTSH抗独特型抗体的制备：——免疫原的分离纯化及鉴定

本文根据独特型－抗独特型理论探讨Ｇｒａｖｅｓ′病的发病机理，报道了对兔抗ｈＴＳＨＩｇＧ免疫原的分离，纯化及鉴定。首先用饱和硫酸铵粗提兔抗ｈＴＳＨ血清γ－球蛋白，继以葡萄球菌Ａ蛋白琼脂糖凝胶亲和层析柱（ＰｒｏｔｅｉｎＡｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅＣＬ４Ｂ）纯化ＩｇＧ，经十二烷基硫酸钠—聚丙烯凝胶电泳（ＳＰＳ－ＰＡＧＥ）鉴定，证实为ＩｇＧ纯品。再经ＴＳＨ偶联的亲和层析柱为免疫吸附剂，进一步分离出抗ＴＳＨＩｇＧ，然后用放射免疫分析（ＲＩＡ）检测证实保持了较高的抗体活性。     

老年Graves病患者血清骨钙素与甲状腺功能关系的研究

目的　探讨老年Ｇｒａｖｅｓ 病骨病的发病机制,对不同治疗阶段患者血清骨钙素（ＢＧＰ）及甲状腺功能进行检测并作对比分析。方法　采用放射免疫技术检测Ｇｒａｖｅｓ 病患者血清ＢＧＰ及甲状腺功能指标（ＦＴ３ 、ＦＴ４ 、ＴＳＨ、ＴＧ－ Ａｂ、ＴＭ－ Ａｂ）。结果　Ｇｒａｖｅｓ 病患者血清ＢＧＰ明显升高,相关分析揭示ＢＧＰ与ＦＴ３ 、ＦＴ４ 呈正相关（ＦＴ３ ：ｒ＝ ０．５８２ ,Ｐ ＜ ０．０１;ＦＴ４ ：ｒ＝ ０ ．６２１,Ｐ＜ ０．０１）,与ＴＳＨ、ＴＧ－ Ａｂ、ＴＭ－ Ａｂ 无相关（ Ｐ ＞ ０．０５） 。结论　ＢＧＰ 是Ｇｒａｖｅｓ 骨病病情控制与否的一项较敏感性指标,Ｇｒａｖｅｓ 病骨转换受ＦＴ３ 、ＦＴ４ 影响,而与机体免疫状态无相关。提示老年Ｇｒａｖｅｓ 病的防治主要是以抗甲亢治疗为基础Ｔ３ 、Ｔ４ 恢复至正常水平后才能使骨转换率尽快得到控制。     

高效价抗-HBs免疫球蛋白抗HBV疗效临床研究

本文用人血清高效价抗－ＨＢｓ免疫球蛋白治疗了６４例ＨＢｓＡｇ携带者，结果治疗组与对照组ＨＢｓＡｇ的阴转率分别为２３．２％和７．４％（Ｐ＜０．０１），配合干扰素治疗２４例乙型慢性活性肝炎，结果治疗组与对照组ＨＢｅＡｇ阴转率分别为８３．８％和６６．６％（Ｐ＞０．０５），停药后半年，两者ＨＢｅＡｇ阴转率分别为６２．４％和２４．２％（Ｐ＜０．０１），结果提示：高效价抗－ＨＢｓ免疫球蛋白对ＨＢｓＡｇ携带者的转阴治疗有较好作用。高效价抗——ＨＢｓ在治疗慢性活动型乙型肝炎时，配合干扰素治疗比单用干扰素者有较明显的使ＨＢｅＡｇ持续转阴作用。文章对高效价抗——ＨＢｓ抗乙肝病毒作用机制及远期疗效意义进行了讨论。     

几种肿瘤免疫抑制因子作用的研究

通过体外细胞培养，采用ＭＴＴ法和ＮＯ测定法，观察了淋巴瘤（Ｒａｊｉ）、实体瘤（Ｓ_（１８０））、艾氏腹水瘤（ＥＡＣ）、肝癌（ＨＣ）４种肿瘤细胞产生的肿瘤免疫抑制因子（ＴＤＳＦ）对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞产生ＮＯ和Ｔ淋巴细胞激活的影响。结果发现Ｒａｊｉ－ＴＤＳＦ和Ｓ_（１８０）－ＴＤＳＦ对巨噬细胞产生ＮＯ均有明显的促进作用（Ｐ＜０．０１，Ｐ＜０．０５）．而ＥＡＣ－ＴＤＳＦ和ＨＣ－ＴＤＳＦ则否（Ｐ＞０．０５），它们对Ｔ淋巴细胞激活的抑制作用Ｓ_（１８０）－ＴＤＳＦ和ＥＡＣ－ＴＤＳＦ可被大蒜素（ＤＡＴＳ）所拮抗，与无ＤＡＴＳ组比较抑制率明显下降（Ｐ＜０．０１）；而ＤＡＴＳ却不能拮抗Ｒａｊｉ－ＴＤＳＦ和ＨＣ－ＴＤＳＦ的抑制作用（Ｐ＞０．０５）。结果表明，不同肿瘤细胞产生的ＴＤＳＦ的作用及其机制可能是多样的。     

丙肝病毒感染者血清中sIL-2R和TNF-α水平的研究

目的：探讨血清中可溶性白细胞介素－２受体（ｓＩＬ－２Ｒ）和肿瘤坏死因子α（ＴＮＦ－α）水平及其在检查丙肝病毒感染中的价值。方法：应用ＥＬＩＳＡ方法检测４２例正常人及８７例丙肝病毒感染者血清中ｓＩＬ－２Ｒ和ＴＮＦ－α水平。另外，将感染者分为３组，即Ａ组（抗－ＨＣＶ－Ａｂ（－），ＨＣＶ－ＲＮＡ（＋）），Ｂ组（抗－ＨＣＶ－Ａｂ（＋），ＨＣＶ－ＲＮＡ（－）），Ｃ组（抗－ＨＣＶ－Ａｂ（＋），ＨＣＶ－ＲＮＡ（＋））。结果：８７例感染者血清中ｓＩＬ－２Ｒ和ＴＮＦ－α水平较正常人都明显增高Ｐ＜０．００１），所有组的血清中ｓＩＬ－２Ｒ和ＴＮＦ－α水平也与正常人差异显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）。不同组彼此间比较ｓＩＬ－２Ｒ和ＴＮＦ－α水平，除Ａ组与Ｃ组外，Ａ组和Ｂ组之间、Ｂ组和Ｃ组之间都有显著差异（Ｐ＜０．００１～０．０５）。结论：对ｓＩＬ－２Ｒ和ＴＮＦ－α水平的检测可作为丙型肝炎辅助化验检查指标之一。     

宫颈粘液抗精子抗体与不明原因不孕

本文对２６例不明原因不孕和１７例已育健康妇女，采用混合抗人球蛋白试验测定排卵日宫颈粘液及血清中抗精子抗体（ＡｓＡｂ）．同时用Ｂ超、尿ＬＨ酶标单克隆抗体免疫测定、宫颈粘液改良Ｉｎｓｌｅｒ评分等联合监测预测排卵和确定排卵日。结果表明：不孕组宫颈粘液ＡｓＡｂ阳性率２３．０８％，明显高于生育组５．８８％（Ｐ＜０．０５）；性交后试验（ＰＣＴ）异常组宫颈粘液ＡｓＡｂ阳性率显著高于生育组（Ｐ＜０．０５），而ＰＣＴ正常组则与生育组无统计学差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。研究提示：宫颈粘液中抗精子抗体结合ＰＣＴ可正确地评价宫颈因素的不孕。     

激活核因子Ｅ２相关因子２信号通路减轻高糖诱导足细胞的凋亡

【目的】 探讨激活核因子Ｅ２相关因子２（Ｎｒｆ２）通路能否减轻高糖诱导足细胞的凋亡。【方法】体外培养小鼠足细胞,分为５组：对照组、高渗组、高糖组、高糖＋叔丁基对苯二酚（ ｔＢＨＱ）,高糖＋Ｎ－乙酰半胱氨酸（ＮＡＣ）。流式细胞仪检测细胞内活性氧和凋亡;Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ 及ｒｅａｌ ｔｉｍｅ－ ＰＣＲ检测Ｎｒｆ２、醌氧化还原酶１（ＮＱＯ１）,血红素加氧酶（ＨＯ－１）的表达;检测足细胞丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）、超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）、谷胱甘肽（ＧＳＨ）及过氧化氢酶（ＣＡＴ）。【结果】 高糖组足细胞凋亡率、活性氧及细胞ＭＤＡ高于对照组（Ｐ ＜ ０．０５）,而该组足细胞ＳＯＤ、ＧＳＨ及ＣＡＴ低于对照组（Ｐ ＜ ０．０５）;高糖＋ＮＡＣ组的足细胞凋亡率、活性氧及细胞内丙二醛低于高糖组（Ｐ ＜ ０．０５）;高糖＋ｔＢＨＱ组足细胞的总Ｎｒｆ２及核Ｎｒｆ２、 ＨＯ－１、ＮＱＯ１的表达高于高糖组（Ｐ ＜ ０．０５）,细胞内ＳＯＤ、ＧＳＨ及ＣＡＴ高于高糖组（Ｐ ＜ ０．０５）,高糖＋ｔＢＨＱ组足细胞的凋亡率、活性氧及细胞内丙二醛低于高糖组（Ｐ ＜ ０．０５）。【结论】 激活 Ｎｒｆ２通路降低高糖诱导足细胞的氧化应激,减轻足细胞凋亡。     

非胰岛素依赖型糖尿病患者红细胞膜ATPase活性改变及其影响因素

目的探讨非胰岛素依赖型糖尿病（ＮＩＤＤＭ）患者红细胞膜Ｎａ＋－Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ及Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴ－Ｐａｓｅ活性改变的影响因素。方法测定７７例ＮＩＤＤＭ患者和５０例正常人血糖、总胆固醇（ＴＣ）、甘油三酯（ＴＧ）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（ＨＤＬＣ）、脂质过氧化物（ＬＰＯ）、谷胱甘肽（ＧＳＨ）、糖化血红蛋白（ＨｂＡｌｃ）、超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（ＧＳＨＰＸ）、红细胞膜Ｎａ＋－Ｋ＋－ＡＴ－Ｐａｓｅ和Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性。ｔ检验、直线相关分析和多元逐步回归分析。结果ＮＩＤＤＭ组血糖、ＨｂＡｌｃ、ＴＣ、ＴＧ、ＴＣ／ＨＤＬＣ、ＬＰＯ显著高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０１），ＨＤＬＣ、ＧＳＨ、ＳＯＤ、ＧＳＨＰＸ、红细胞膜Ｎａ＋－Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ和Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性低于对照组（除ＧＳＨ的Ｐ＜０．０５外，其他Ｐ＜０．０１）；不同ＨｂＡｌｃ、ＴＣ／ＨＤＬＣ、ＧＳＨ、ＬＰＯ、ＴＣ组的红细胞膜Ｎａ＋－Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性有显著性差别。红细胞膜Ｎａ＋－Ｋ＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性＝１２．８０＋０．２７（ＧＳＨ）－０．１２（ＬＰＯ）－０．０９（ＴＣ／ＨＤＬＣ），红细胞胞膜Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性＝１０８．２０＋１．     

动态监测TRAb的儿童Graves病治疗中的意义

目的动态监测ＴＳＨ受体抗体（ＴＲＡｂ）在儿童Ｇｒａｖｅｓ病（ＧＤ）治疗中的变化，探讨其在指导治疗和预测复发中的价值。方法采用酶联免疫法测定ＧＤ患儿用他巴唑治疗前、治疗６月、１２月、１８月、２４月和复发时ＴＲＡｂ的含量。结果ＧＤ患儿治疗前及复发时ＴＲＡｂ含量及阳性率明显高于治疗后各组（Ｐ＜０．０１）。治疗后各组随着时间推移ＴＲＡｂ含量及阳性率依次降低。停药时复发组ＴＲＡｂ含量及阳性率显著高于未复发组（Ｐ＜０．０１）。结论ＴＲＡｂ与ＧＤ的发生和复发密切相关，停药时ＴＲＡｂ阳性者易于复发。动态监测ＧＤ患儿治疗过程中ＴＲＡｂ的变化对于指导治疗和预测复发具有重要价值。     

Doppler超声时间指标评价高血压病、冠心病左室功能

采用Ｄｏｐｐｌｅｒ超声测量ＣＨＤ、ＨＤ、ＨＣＤ－ＣＨＤ及ｓ四组ＡＴ、ＥＴ、ＡＴ／ＥＴ、ＩＣＴ、ＰＥＰ／ＥＴ、ＰＥＰ、ＩＶＲＴ、ＡｃＴＥ、ＡｃＴＥ／ＭＶＯＴ，结果ＣＨＤ、ＨＤ、ＨＣＤ－ＣＨＤ三组ＩＶＲＴ明显升高（Ｐ＜０．０１），ＨＤ、ＣＨＤ与ＨＣＤＣＨＤ之ＩＶＲＴ差异有显著性（Ｐ＜０．０１），ＮＳ、ＣＨＤ、ＨＤ与ＨＣＤ－ＣＨＤ组ＰＥＰ／ＥＴ、ＩＣＴ、ＰＥＰ差异均有显著性（Ｐ＜０．０５），ＨＣＤ－ＣＨＤ组ＰＥＰ／ＥＴ、ＩＣＴ、ＰＥＰ值升高，ＮＳ、ＨＤ与ＣＨＤ、ＨＣＤ－ＣＨＤ、ＡＴ／ＥＴ差异有显著性（Ｐ＜０．０５），ＣＨＤ及ＨＣＤ－ＣＨＤ组ＡＴ／ＥＴ下降，ＨＲ、ＡＴ、ＥＴ、ＡＣＴＥ各组间差异均无显著性（Ｐ＞０．０５），Ｄｏｐｐｌｅｒ超声时间指标评价左室功能具有一定价值。     

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.