p38MAPK在体外培养脊髓星形胶质细胞P物质刺激活化中的作用

目的 观察体外培养脊髓星形胶质细胞P物质刺激活化过程中p38MAPK活性、TNF-Ot、NO水平及NOS活性的变化,探讨p38MAPK活性变化与脊髓星形胶质细胞活化的关系.方法 分离培养的SPF大鼠脊髓星形胶质细胞设正常对照组(止常组)、SP刺激组(SP组,10-7mol/L)、SB203580阻断p38MAPK组(SB组,10 umol/L)和sP刺激+SB203580阻断p38MAPK组(SP+SB组).WB法、RT-PCR法、ELISA法检测1,3,12,24 h和36 h时p38MAPK、p-p38(磷酸化p38MAPK)含量及GFAP mRNA、TNF-0、NO水平和NOS活性的变化.结果 脊髓星形胶质细胞GFAP阳性表达率大于95%.SP组脊髓星形胶质细胞总p38MAPK水平无显著变化,1 h后p-p38开始升高,3 h后GFAP mRNA水平显著增高,同时NO、NOS和TNF-a水平显著增高.用SB203580阻断p38MAPK通路后,sP+sB组较sP组p-p38、GFAP mRNA、NO、NOS、TNF-a水平显著降低.SB组总p38MAPK、p-p38、GFAP mRNA、NO、NOS、TNF-a水平无显著变化.结论 p38MAPK信号通路参与r脊髓星形胶质细胞P物质刺激活化过程,阻断p38MAPK信号通路可有效降低炎性因子水平.     

P物质对脊髓星形胶质细胞活化和炎性因子IL-1β、TNF-α分泌的影响

目的探讨P物质(P substance,SP)对脊髓星形胶质细胞活化和分泌炎性因子TNF-α、IL-1β的影响.方法 体外培养脊髓星形胶质细胞,施加SP刺激后分别应用RT-PCR和Western blot测定胶质原纤维酸性蛋白(glial fibrillary acidic protein,GFAP)mRNA和蛋白的表达,ELISA法检测肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白介素-1β(IL-1β)分泌的变化.结果10-7mol/L SP的作用下,星形胶质细胞GFAP mRNA和蛋白的表达在0～72 h逐渐升高,与正常对照组相比差异显著(P＜0.01);SP在10-9～10-6mol/L浓度范围内呈浓度依赖性促进星形胶质细胞分泌TNF-α、IL-1β(12 h),与对照组有显著差异(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),但IL-1β在SP 10-6mol/L作用组下降,与对照组无明显差异(P＞0.05).结论 SP刺激下脊髓星形胶质细胞明显活化,分泌炎性致痛因子TNF-α、IL-1β增多,表明周围慢性疼痛可能通过致痛递质SP介导下星形胶质细胞的活化引起脊髓中枢神经炎性痛.     

多聚左旋精氨酸通过p38/MAPK信号通路诱导NCI-H292细胞分泌IL-6、IL-8细胞

目的 研究多聚左旋精氨酸(PLA)诱导气道上皮细胞NCI-H292分泌炎症因子白介素-6(IL-6)和白介素-8(IL-8)的机制.方法 将NCI-H292细胞按PLA浓度分组(0、2.5、5、10、20 mg/L),采用荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)方法检测细胞中IL-6和IL-8 mRNA表达水平;按PLA加药时间分组(0、15、30、45、60 min),Western blot法检测p38/MAPK磷酸化水平;按对照组、PLA组、PLA+SB203580组和SB203580组分组,采用qRT-PCR法和ELISA法检测IL-6和IL-8的mRNA和蛋白表达量.结果 PLA能诱导NCI-H292细胞IL-6、IL-8 mRNA表达上调(P＜0.01),PLA也能增加NCI-H292细胞p38/MAPK磷酸化水平(P＜0.01),p38/MAPK阻断剂SB203580可抑制PLA诱导的NCI-H292细胞IL-6、IL-8 mRNA表达上调(P＜0.01)及p38/MAPK磷酸化水平的增加(P＜0.01).结论 p38/MAPK信号通路参与PLA诱导NCI-H292细胞炎症因子IL-6和IL-8 mRNA转录过程.     

TNF-α 通过 p38 丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号通路对小胶质细胞HMGB1 表达的调控作用

目的：观察P38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase,p38 MAPK)抑制剂SB203580对 TNF-α诱导的原代培养大鼠小胶质细胞高迁移率族蛋白B1(high mobility group protein B1,HMGB1)表达的影响。方法： 采用原代培养大鼠小胶质细胞,设立对照组、TNF-α组(25 ng/mL)、TNF-α(25 ng/mL)+SB 203580组(10 μmol/L)、SB 203580组(10 μmol/L),各组细胞经药物处理16 h后分别用ELISA法检测细胞培养上清中HMGB1的表达情况,Western 印迹检测细胞HMGB1和磷酸化p38MAPK表达情况,用反转录PCR检测HMGB1 mRNA表达。结果：经TNF-α刺激 后,大鼠小胶质细胞及其培养上清液中HMGB1蛋白表达增高;SB 203580可抑制TNF-α诱导的磷酸化p38 MAPK表达 (P<0.01),同时下调HMGB1mRNA和HMGB1蛋白的表达。结论：TNF-α可诱导小胶质细胞晚期炎症因子HMGB1的表 达,并且其诱导机制与p38 MAPK被快速激活相关。     

卵巢癌耐药细胞株的P38MAPK活性与凋亡关系的研究

目的 研究卵巢癌细胞耐药过程中P38MAPK活性与凋亡的关系,探讨P38MAPK信号转导途径在卵巢癌细胞耐药中的作用.方法 流式细胞技术分析P38MAPK特异性抑制剂SB203580对A2780/Taxol细胞凋亡的影响;利用免疫细胞化学法观察SB203580处理后细胞内P38MAPK表达水平.四甲基偶氮唑蓝检测细胞对紫杉醇的半数抑制浓度(IC50),Western blot检测细胞内P-gp蛋白表达.结果 与未干预组和对照组比较,SB203580(10μmol/L)干预24h后A2780/Taxol细胞凋亡率为23.7%(P＜0.01);A2780/Taxol细胞的P38MAPK表达颗粒密度减低,数量减少;紫杉醇对A2780/Taxol细胞的IC50显著降低(P＜0.01);P-gp蛋白表达水平明显降低.结论 P38 MAPK信号转导途径与卵巢癌耐药密切相关,可能参与卵巢癌耐药的形成.其可能机制为P38MAPK通路起到保护A2780/Taxol细胞逃避凋亡的作用.因此,阻断该通路可增强卵巢癌耐药细胞发生凋亡.     

晚期氧化蛋白产物诱导血管平滑肌细胞表达MCP-1及其信号转导通路的研究

目的 研究p38有丝分裂素激活蛋白激酶(p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase,MAPK)在晚期氧化蛋白产物(advanced oxidation protein products,AOPP)诱导的鼠血管平滑肌细胞单核细胞趋化蛋白-1表达中的作用.方法 使用200和400 μmol/L AOPP分别以不同时间刺激培养的鼠血管平滑肌细胞,在阻断实验中加入特异性p38MAPK阻断剂SB203580阻断p38MAPK信号转导通路.采用免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测细胞中MCP-1和磷酸化p38MAPK的表达情况.结果 用特异性p38MAPK阻断剂SB203580预处理后,400 μmol/L AOPP刺激4 h的鼠血管平滑肌细胞MCP-1表达(平均灰度值)从42.00±0.95降至9.35±1.35受到显著抑制(P＜0.01).结论 ①p38MAPK信号转导途径参与了AOPP诱导的鼠血管平滑肌细胞MCP-1的表达.②晚期氧化蛋白产物促进平滑肌细胞MCP-1 mRNA和蛋白表达可能是其致动脉粥样硬化机制之一.     

朝药鹿茸及SB203580对支气管哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响

[目的]探讨朝药鹿茸与特异性p38蛋白激酶(p38MAKP)抑制剂SB203580对支气管哮喘小鼠气道炎症的影响.[方法]将BABL/c小鼠随机分为正常组、哮喘模型组、鹿茸低、高剂量组、SB203580组.每日分别灌胃给予鹿茸低、高剂量组2,18mg用生理盐水溶解的鹿茸冻干粉0.4mL,腹腔注射给予SB203580组5mg/kg SB203580.分别采用ELISA法和蛋白质印迹法检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中炎性细胞分类及计数、炎性细胞因子白细胞介素(IL)-4,IL-5水平及肺组织磷酸化p38MAPK表达,并观察肺组织病理学改变.[结果]与正常组比较,哮喘模型组BALF中炎性细胞计数、IL-4,IL-5水平及肺组织中磷酸化p38MAPK表达水平均显著增高(P<0.05);与哮喘模型组比较,朝药鹿茸低、高剂量组和SB203580组BALF中炎性细胞计数、IL-4,IL-5水平及肺组织中磷酸化p38MAPK表达水平均明显降低(P<0.05).与哮喘模型组比较,朝药鹿茸低、高剂量组和SB203580组肺组织病理学改变均明显减轻(P<0.05),而朝药鹿茸低、高剂量组与SB203580组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).[结论]朝药鹿茸和SB203580均具有治疗哮喘作用,其机制与抑制哮喘小鼠p38MAPK信号通路的表达相关.     

p38 MAPK对冲击波促进T淋巴细胞增殖和分泌IL-2的作用

目的：研究有丝分裂原激活蛋白激酶p38（p38 MAPK）对冲击波促进激活的T淋巴细胞增殖及分泌IL-2的作用。方法：预先用p38 MAPK抑制剂( SB203580,20 μmol•L^-1)分别与人外周血单个核细胞（PBMC）和Jurkat T细胞共同培养,同时设立不含SB203580的阴性对照组,再用冲击波和PHA或抗-CD3/抗-CD28抗体的亚刺激量作用,检测T淋巴细胞增殖和分泌IL-2的变化。采用免疫印迹法,用抗- p38MAPK抗体及抗-磷酸化的p38MAPK(Thr180/Tyr182)抗体,测定冲击波作用后Jurkat T细胞上的p38 MAPK的表达及磷酸化。结果：与未用冲击波作用组比较,被PHA激活的PBMC细胞,在能量密度为(0.180±0.015) mJ•mm^-2的冲击波作用100、150、200、250、300、330和360次时,细胞对³H-TdR掺入量明显增高（P<0.01）。加入SB203580的PHA激活的PBMC细胞,在上述同样强度的冲击波作用时,细胞对³H-TdR掺入量低于没有加入SB203580对照组（P<0.01）。与未受冲击波作用组比较,被CD3和CD28激活的Jurkat T细胞,在上述同样强度的冲击波作用时,细胞上清液中的IL-2活性明显增高（P<0.01）。加入SB203580的CD3和CD28激活的Jurkat T细胞,在该强度的冲击波作用时,细胞上清液中的IL-2水平低于比未加入SB203580的对照组（P<0.01）。50～250次的(0.180±0.015)mJ•mm²的低能冲击波可使Jurkat T细胞的p38MAPK磷酸化, p38MAPK的磷酸化程度随着冲击波作用次数的增加而增加。结论：SB203580可抑制低能冲击波对激活的T淋巴细胞的增殖及分泌IL-2作用;低能冲击波通过激活T淋巴细胞内的p38 MAPK,促进激活的T淋巴细胞增殖及分泌IL-2。     

p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶在溃疡性结肠炎中的作用

目的 探讨p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)在溃疡性结肠炎(UC)以及葡聚糖硫酸钠(DSS)诱导的小鼠结肠炎中的作用。 方法 ①7只Balb/c小鼠随机分为3组:正常对照组、DSS结肠炎组、p38MAPK选择性抑制剂SB203580干预组。结肠炎组小鼠每日饮用5% DSS溶液,干预组小鼠则在饮用5% DSS溶液72 h后,加用SB203580[1 mg/(kg·d)]进行腹腔注射。观察并记录各组小鼠的疾病活动指数(DAI);7 d后处死小鼠,观察各组小鼠肠黏膜组织中肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)和白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)的表达。②收集36例活动性UC患者的肠黏膜组织标本,并以18例结肠癌旁的正常组织标本作对照,通过体外组织培养,观察SB203580对UC患者肠黏膜活检组织中TNF-α和IL-1β表达的影响。 结果 ①DSS结肠炎小鼠的DAI评分、肠黏膜组织中TNF-α和IL-1β的水平明显升高(P均<0.01),经SB203580干预后,其DAI评分、TNF-α、IL-1β的水平均明显降低,但仍然高于正常对照组(P均<0.01)。②体外组织培养结果显示,与未用SB203580处理的UC组比较,SB203580处理后UC患者肠黏膜组织中TNF-α和IL-1β的水平明显降低(P<0.01)。 结论 SB203580能阻断p38MAPK信号转导通路,从而降低促炎性细胞因子TNF-α和IL-1β的释放。     

P38MAPK信号通路对大鼠肝星状细胞凋亡的影响

〗［摘 要］
目的：探讨P38MAPK信号传导通路在乙醛刺激的大鼠肝星状细胞株（HSC-T6）凋亡过程中的作用及P38蛋白表达的变化,为肝纤维化的临床治疗提供依据。方法：实验设阴性对照组（HSC-T6加含10%小牛血清的DMEM培养液）、乙醛组（对照组基础上加乙醛）和实验组（乙醛组基础上加P38MAPK抑制剂SB203580,使其终浓度为4、8、16 μmol·L^-1）,流式细胞术（FCM）检测细胞凋亡率;Western blotting法检测磷酸化P38MAPK表达水平,SABC法检测caspase-3蛋白表达。结果：与对照组比较,乙醛组HSC-T6的凋亡率和caspase-3蛋白阳性表达率均降低（P<0.05或P<0.01）,P38MAPK磷酸化水平表达增高（P<0.01）。抑制剂SB203580作用后,细胞凋亡率逐渐增高(P<0.01);P38MAPK磷酸化水平降低(P<0.01);caspase-3蛋白水平升高（P<0.01）;且随剂量的增加,磷酸化水平不断降低,蛋白表达水平不断升高。结论：P38MAPK抑制剂SB203580能促使乙醛刺激的HSC-T6凋亡,且凋亡的发生可能与SB203580抑制P38MAPK的磷酸化途径和caspase-3的活化有关。     

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.