2型糖尿病合并冠心病患者血清残粒脂蛋白胆固醇水平测定及其临床意义

目的探讨血清残粒脂蛋白胆固醇(RLP-C)在2型糖尿病合并冠心病患者中水平变化及其临床意义.方法用免疫分离法测定45例2型糖尿病合并冠心病、42例2型糖尿病无冠心病患者及44例正常对照组血清RLP-C水平,同时测定了3组人群的TC、TG、LDL-C、LP(a)和HDL-C水平.结果2型糖尿病合并冠心病患者的血清RLP-C水平[(0.45±0.25)mmol/L]明显高于2型糖尿病无冠心病[(0.26±0.19)mmol/L]和正常对照组[(0.19±0.11)mmol/L,P＜0.01].2型糖尿病患者血清RLP-C水平与TG成正相关.结论2型糖尿合并冠心病患者血清RLP-C水平显著升高,RLP代谢异常可能是2型糖尿病合并冠心病的重要危险因素之一.     

新诊断2型糖尿病患者血清高敏C反应蛋白水平与异常脂质代谢的关系

目的:观察新诊断2型糖尿病(2-DM)患者血清高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)浓度与异常脂质代谢之间的关系。方法:采用胶乳增强免疫比浊法对76例新诊断2-DM患者和60例健康对照者血清hs-CRP、TG、TC、LDL-C含量进行检测。结果:2-DM患者血清hs-CRP(3.11±1.14)mg/L、TG(1.92±0.78)mmol/L、LDL-C(3.05±1.03)mmol/L水平明显高于对照组[hs-CRP(1.93±0.52)mg/L,TG(1.05±0.42)mmol/L,P均<0.01;LDL-CL(1.78±0.81)mmol/L,P<0.05]。合并大血管病变患者血清hs-CRP(3.31±1.45)mg/L和TG(2.31±0.88)mmol/L水平高于无大血管病变者[hs-CRP(2.82±0.95)mg/L;TG(1.57±0.74)mmol/L,P<0.05]。校正年龄、性别因素的影响后,hs-CRP与TG呈正相关性(r=0.52,P<0.05),与LDL-C无明显相关性(r=0.27,P>0.05)。Logistic分析显示hs-CRP是糖尿病大血管病变独立危险因子。结论:血清hs-CRP水平测定对判断DM合并血管病变和疗效的观察有一定实用价值。     

血管内皮依赖性舒张功能检测在2型糖尿病患者中的意义

目的探讨2型糖尿病(DM)患者血管内皮依赖性舒张功能的改变。方法用高分辨率超声检测18例不伴微血管病变型DM患者、25例伴微血管病变型DM患者和23例对照者的肱动脉流量介导的舒张(FMD)和硝酸甘油介导的舒张(NTG-MD)的功能。结果两组DM患者的FMD较对照组显著降低[(8.03±2.84)％和(4.72±2.79)％vs(10.15±3.86)％，P分别为＜0.05及0.01]，其中伴微血管病变型DM组降低更明显(P＜0.01)；不伴微血管病变型DM的NTG－MD与对照组比较无显著性差异(P＞0.05)，但伴微血管病变型DM组的NTGMD呈显著降低[(10.72±3.14)％vs(13.41±3.97)％和(13.03±3.78)％，P均＜0.05]；FMD与空腹和餐后血糖水平及病程均呈负相关(r＝0.73、－0.81、－0.65，P均＜0.01)。结论2型DM患者存在显著的血管内皮功能障碍；肱动脉FDM的检测对DM患者的病情分析有重要的临床价值。     

2型糖尿病患者血内皮素和一氧化氮的改变

目的观察2型糖尿病(DM)患者血内皮素(ET)和一氧化氮(NO)的改变.方法选择确诊的2型DM患者46例,正常健康自愿者22例,测定血ET和NO,并比较2组间水平的差异.结果DM组血ET[(122.34±36.75)ng/L]较正常对照组[(39.37±8.39)ng/L]明显升高(P＜0.01),而NO水平[(7.28±4.12)μmol/L]较正常对照组[(15.68±2.58)μmol/L)]显著下降(P＜0.01).结论DM患者血NO和ET平衡失调可能同DM广泛血管损伤有关,临床使用ET拮抗剂和NO生成剂有可能对血管病变有益.     

糖基化低密度脂蛋白、氧化低密度脂蛋白和2型糖尿病合并冠心病的关系

目的:探讨血清糖基化低密度脂蛋白和血浆氧化低密度脂蛋白在2型糖尿病合并冠心病的作用。方法:测定89例2型糖尿病患者和30例正常对照的血清糖基化低密度脂蛋白和血浆氧化低密度脂蛋白水平,血清糖基化低密度脂蛋白采用氯化硝基四氮唑蓝比色法,血浆氧化低密度脂蛋白采用酶联免疫吸附法测定。结果:(1)2型糖尿病患者血清糖基化低密度脂蛋白(0.398±0.081)mmol/L与正常对照组相比增高(0.268±0.074)mmol/L;2型糖尿病患者血浆氧化低密度脂蛋白(58.264±24.201)ug/dl明显高于对照组(33.35±8.341)ug/dl,差异均有显著性(P<0.01)。(2)2型糖尿病并发冠心病组的血清糖基化低密度脂蛋白(0.414±0.074)mmol/L较无冠心病组(0.373±0.085)mmol/L增高、血浆氧化低密度脂蛋白水平2型糖尿病并发冠心病组(64.685±22.225)ug/dl显著高于无冠心病组(48.357±24.430)ug/dl,差异均有显著性(P<0.01)。(3)2型糖尿病患者血清糖化低密度脂蛋白与血浆氧化低密度脂蛋白正相关(r=0.713,P<0.01)。结论:糖基化低密度脂蛋白和氧化低密度脂蛋白与2型糖尿病合并冠心病有关。     

冠心病患者血清sd-LDL和hs-CRP与冠状动脉狭窄程度的相关性研究

目的 比较冠心病患者与健康人群中血清小而密低密度脂蛋白(sd-LDL)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平的差异,探讨血清sd-LDL、hs-CRP水平与冠状动脉狭窄程度的关系.方法 选取2015年11月至2016年5月期间在武汉大学人民医院住院的冠心病患者542例,其中稳定心绞痛(SA)247例、不稳定性心绞痛(UA)115例、急性心肌梗塞(AMI)180例,同时期同龄来院体检的健康对照者231例,使用全自动生化分析仪检测血清中sd-LDL与hs-CRP的水平,同时根据冠脉造影结果计算冠心病患者Gensini评分,评价冠状动脉的狭窄程度,使用成组t检验分析各组间的差异,使用Spearman's相关性分析法分析sd-LDL、hs-CRP水平与Gensini评分的相关性.结果 与对照组相比,sd-LDL的水平在SA[(1.09±0.55)mmol/L vs(0.71±0.43)mmol/L,P<0.01]、UA[(1.11±0.58)mmol/L vs(0.71±0.43)mmol/L,P<0.01]和AMI组[(1.41±0.61)mmol/L vs(0.71±0.43)mmol/L,P<0.01]中均显著升高;AMI组中sd-LDL的水平较SA组[(1.41±0.61)mmol/L vs(1.09±0.55)mmol/L,P<0.01]和UA[(1.41±0.61)mmol/L vs(1.11±0.58)mmol/L,P<0.01]显著升高.Spearman's相关性分析结果显示,sd-LDL与Gensini积分呈显著正相关(r=0.5202,P<0.01),hs-CRP与Gensini积分呈显著正相关(r=0.2361,P<0.01).结论 小而密低密度脂蛋白是冠心病的危险因素,与冠心病的临床分型和冠状动脉的狭窄程度密切相关.sd-LDL与hs-CRP联合检测对冠心病的风险预测及严重程度的判断均有重要的临床意义.     

2型糖尿病血管并发症患者血脂及血浆NO水平的临床研究

目的:评价2型糖尿病(DM)血管并发症患者血脂及血浆NO水平的状况。方法:对203例临床诊断为2型DM的住院患者(男性103例,女性100例)的空腹血脂及血浆NO水平做出分析。结果:A组总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、甘油三酯(TG)、载脂蛋白A1、载脂蛋白B及NO分别为:(4.83±0.87)mmol/L,(2.67±0.42)mmol/L,(1.75±0.65)mmol/L,(1.53±0.19)g/L,(0.88±0.17)g/L及(8.12±1.96)mmol/L。A组高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)的均值为(1.34±0.18)mmol/L,高于C组(P<0.01),NO降低的检出率B组高于C组(P<0.01),血浆NO水平较差的C组显著低于A组(P<0.01)。结论:2型DM患者血糖的控制程度会导致其血脂及NO水平的差异,血糖控制较差会导致血脂代谢紊乱程度增加,并使NO生成减少,要防止血管并发症的发生应该重视及时评价糖代谢问题。     

2型糖尿病患者血清游离脂肪酸谱测定及吡格列酮的干预研究

目的 探讨2型糖尿病患者的血清游离脂肪酸 (FFA)谱的变化及吡格列酮对其影响。方法 采用气相色谱法测定33例2型糖尿病患者和23名健康对照者的FFA谱。对33例2型糖尿病患者进行随机、双盲、安慰剂对照 ,比较吡格列酮干预后的血清FFA谱改变。结果 2型糖尿病患者血清总FFA和软脂酸浓度高于对照组[(1794.55±270.38) μmol/L与 (1622.05±236.28) μmol/L,P<0.05;(574.60±88.70) μmol/L与 (507.17±71.43)μmol/L,P<0.01] ,血清总FFA、软脂酸浓度与甘油三酯浓度呈正相关(r=0.347,P<0.05;r=0.456 ,P<0.01)。吡格列酮干预治疗12周后血清总FFA、硬脂酸浓度下降[(1833.03±296.68) μmol/L与 (1697.23±342.44) μmol/L,P<0.05;(218.47±26.56) μmol/L与 (201.34±28.61) μmol/L,P<0.05] ,安慰剂组无明显改变。吡格列酮干预后血清总FFA的下降率与空腹血糖的下降率呈正相关(r=0.603 ,P=0.01)。 结论 2型糖尿病患者存在高总FFA、软脂酸血症 ,吡格列酮有显著改善高总FFA血症作用。     

血浆同型半胱氨酸水平与2型糖尿病周围神经病变关系的探讨

目的:评估空腹血浆总同型半胱氨酸(tHcy)水平与2型糖尿病(DM)周围神经病变的关系,并分析影响DM患者血浆tHcy水平的因素。方法:以103例2型糖尿病患者为DM组,45例健康者为正常对照组,其中DM组分为有周围神经病变组(DPN+组)和无周围神经病变组(DPN-组),用酶转换免疫分析法测定血浆tHcy浓度;并用发光免疫法测定血清叶酸和维生素B12水平。结果:DPN+组的空腹血浆tHcy浓度明显高于DPN-组和正常对照组[(14.20±2.92)μmol/Lvs(9.05±1.78)μmol/L和(8.95±2.27)μmol/L,P<0.01];存在高Hcy血症的DM患者DPN发生率明显高于无高Hcy血症患者(80.65%vs34.72%,P<0.01)。逐步回归分析显示:维生素B12、叶酸(FA)均为DM患者tHcy的决定因素(P<0.01);多元Logistic回归分析显示,空腹tHcy、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1C)、维生素B12均与DPN的发生有关;空腹血浆tHcy、HbA1C、V itB12均为DPN的独立危险因素。结论:空腹高Hcy血症是DPN的危险因素;血清维生素B12、FA水平影响tHcy的浓度。     

血清尿酸与2型糖尿病关系研究

目的 研究血清尿酸与2型糖尿病发生发展之间的关系.方法 检测并比较整群选取的该院2015年11月—2016年11月进行体检的184例2型糖尿病患者(2型糖尿病组)、271例空腹血糖受损者(空腹血糖受损组)和3747名健康体检者(血糖正常组),对其血清尿酸水平和相关代谢指标进行比较分析,研究血清尿酸水平和相关代谢指标的相关性.结果 该研究2型糖尿病发病率为4.37%,空腹血糖受损发生率为6.45%.2型糖尿病组年龄为(64.47±11.55)岁、体重指数(25.23±2.94)kg/m2、甘油三酯(2.04±1.62)mmol/L、胆固醇(5.31±1.05)mmol/L、血清尿酸(356.45±81.24)μmol/L、空腹血糖(8.77±2.31)mmol/L;空腹血糖受损组年龄为(61.41±12.37)岁、体重指数(25.11±2.87)kg/m2、甘油三酯(1.89±1.54)mmol/L、胆固醇(5.24±1.01)mmol/L、血清尿酸(351.21±81.45)μmol/L、空腹血糖(6.44±0.28)mmol/L;健康对照组年龄为(53.34±14.27)岁、体重指数(23.88±3.35)kg/m2、甘油三酯(1.57±1.21)mmol/L、胆固醇(5.11±0.94)mmol/L、血清尿酸(341.99±87.21)μmol/L、空腹血糖(5.01±0.47)mmol/L.血糖水平和血清尿酸水平具有正向相关性.男性2型糖尿病患者血清尿酸水平高于女性患者.对患者按性别进行血清尿酸分层分析显示,体重指数、甘油三酯、胆固醇、空腹血糖与血清尿酸水平具有正向相关性.结论 血清尿酸是2型糖尿病发展的独立危险因素,高尿酸血症在2型糖尿病变化进展中具有重要作用,可将血清尿酸可作为监测2型糖尿病的重要指标.     

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.