松果腺切除对大鼠肺免疫功能的影响

目的:研究切除大鼠松果腺对肺免疫功能的影响,以探讨松果腺对肺免疫功能的调节作用。方法:采用大鼠松果腺切除术造模,测定大鼠肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中γ干扰素(IFN-γ)、IL-6的含量及肺组织中褪黑素(MT)的含量。结果:松果腺切除组大鼠肺组织MT较正常组显著升高(P<0.01),伪手术组和松果腺切除组大鼠BALF中IFN-γ含量均较正常组明显升高(P<0.05),IL-6变化则不甚明显。通过相关分析,发现正常组BALF中IL-6与IFN-γ成明显负相关,其他指标间无明显相关性;松果腺切除后,3组间各项指标无明显相关性。结论:通过实验证实,褪黑素是一种应激激素,松果腺是通过整体动态的方式改变了IL-6与IFN-γ之间正常的相关性从而影响肺免疫功能。     

依那普利对博来霉素致大鼠肺纤维化的影响

目的探讨依那普利对博来霉素致肺纤维化大鼠肺组织中细胞因子和肺纤维化的影响。方法 60只Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、低剂量依那普利组、中剂量依那普利组、高剂量依那普利组和泼尼松对照组,每组10只。博来霉素诱导大鼠肺纤维化模型。对各组大鼠进行肺泡炎、肺纤维化半定量评分,检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)、干扰素-γ(INF-γ)、白细胞介素(IL)-1、IL-2、IL-4和IL-6含量,肺组织匀浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)和羟脯氨酸(HYP)含量,BALF和血清中间质金属蛋白酶(MMP-9)、金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂-1(TIMP-1)的浓度,以及肺组织中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)m-RNA的表达。结果依那普利剂量依赖性地降低博来霉素诱导的肺纤维化大鼠的肺纤维化评分和肺泡炎评分(P<0.05);降低大鼠BALF中TGF-β1、IL-1、IL-2、IL-4、IL-6的含量(P<0.05),并升高INF-γ含量(P<0.05);升高肺组织中SOD含量(P<0.05),并降低MDA和HYP含量(P<0.05);降低血清及BLAF中MMP-9、TMP-1的含量,降低MMP-9/TMP-1值(P<0.05);降低肺组织TNF-αm-RNA的表达(P<0.05)。结论依那普利可以有效抑制博来霉素诱导的大鼠肺纤维化。     

补肺健脾方对哮喘大鼠血、肺泡灌洗液中IL-4、IFN-γ及嗜酸性粒细胞计数的影响

目的:观察补肺健脾方时哮喘大鼠血清及肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中干扰素γ(IFN-γ)、白介素4(IL-4)、嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)含量的影响,探讨补肺健脾方治疗哮喘的部分作用机理.方法:以卵蛋白致敏并吸入激发法制备大鼠哮喘模型,补肺健脾方组从首次激发同时开始给药治疗,治疗3周后处死大鼠,观察各组大鼠血清及肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中干扰素γ(IFN-γ)、白介素4(IL-4)、嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)计数的含量.结果:与正常组比较,模型组大鼠血清及BALF中IL-4含量明显增加(P<0.01),IFN-γ含量明显降低(P<0.01),外周血及BALF中EOS明显增加(P<0.01);与模型组比较,补肺健脾方组大鼠血清及BALF中IL-4含量明显降低(P<0.01),IFN-γ含量增加(P<0.05,P<0.01),外周血及BALF中EOS明显降低(P<0.01).结论:补肺健脾方可能是通过调节Th1/Th2细胞因子之间的平衡,抑制EOS的趋化,达到治疗哮喘的目的.     

咳喘停贴剂穴位贴敷对慢性哮喘大鼠肺组织抑炎细胞因子的影响

目的 观察咳喘停贴剂穴位贴敷对慢性哮喘大鼠Th1下游抑炎细胞因子含量的影响.方法 将48只Wistar大鼠随机分成6组:正常组、模型组、布地奈德组、穴位假贴敷组、地塞米松组、穴位贴敷组,每组8只.用卵清蛋白致敏和激发的方法复制慢性过敏性哮喘大鼠模型.模型复制后各组给予相应的治疗,治疗14 d后观察各组大鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液(bronchial alveolar lavage fluid,BALF)中干扰素-γ(interferon-γ,IFN-γ)、白细胞介素-2(int erleukin-2,IL-2)和IL-12含量.结果 与正常组比较,模型组大鼠BALF中IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-12含量均明显降低(P＜0.05).与模型组比较,穴位假贴敷组BALF中IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-12含量无明显变化(P＞0.05);布地奈德组、地塞米松组、穴位贴敷组IFN-γ、IL-12含量明显升高(P＜0.05),IL-2含量呈升高趋势(P＞0.05),但3组之间IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-12含量比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 咳喘停穴位贴敷治疗慢性哮喘大鼠的机制与调节呼吸道中抑炎细胞因子IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-12的分泌异常有关.     

补肺健脾方对哮喘大鼠血、肺泡灌洗液中IL-4、IFN-γ及嗜酸性粒细胞计数的影响

目的观察补肺健脾方对哮喘大鼠血清及肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中干扰素γ(IFN-γ)、白介素4(IL-4)、嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)含量的影响。方法以卵蛋白致敏并吸入激发法制备大鼠哮喘模型,补肺健脾方组从首次激发开始给药治疗,治疗3周后处死大鼠,观察各组大鼠血清及BALF中IFN-γ、IL-4、EOS计数的含量。结果与正常组比较,模型组大鼠血清及BALF中IL-4含量明显增加(P0.01),IFN-γ含量明显降低(P0.01),外周血及BALF中EOS明显增加(P0.01),IFN-γ含量增加(P0.05,P0.01),外周血及BALF中EOS明显降低(P0.01)。结论补肺健脾方可能是通过调节Th1/Th2细胞因子之间的平衡,抑制EOS的趋化,达到治疗哮喘的目的。     

黄龙止咳口服液对咳嗽变异性哮喘模型大鼠白细胞介素4和γ干扰素的影响

目的通过测定与分析各组大鼠血清及肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中γ干扰素(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素4(IL-4)含量,观察黄龙止咳口服液对咳嗽变异性哮喘(CVA)模型大鼠免疫功能的影响,进而探讨黄龙止咳口服液调节CVA免疫功能紊乱的作用机制。方法利用卵蛋白(OA)和氢氧化铝共同激发致敏建立CVA大鼠模型,将大鼠分为正常组、模型组、黄龙高剂量组、黄龙中剂量组、黄龙低剂量组、先声咳喘宁组、布地奈德组,记录引喘诱咳时2 min内大鼠咳嗽次数及血清和支气管BALF中IL-4、IFN-γ含量。结果与正常组比较,模型组咳嗽次数明显增多(P<0.01),血清和支气管BALF中IL-4含量显著升高(P<0.01),IFN-γ含量降低(P<0.01);与模型组比较,各治疗组咳嗽次数均明显减少(P<0.01),血清及BALF中IL-4含量明显降低,IFN-γ含量明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01);黄龙高剂量组与黄龙低、中剂量组比较,咳嗽次数明显减少,血清及BALF中IL-4含量明显降低,IFN-γ含量明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01);与先声咳喘宁组比较,黄龙高剂量组血清IFN-γ值相对升高,BALF中IL-4值相对降低,IFN-γ值相对升高,差异有高度统计学意义(P<0.01);与布地奈德组比较,黄龙高剂量组血清IFN-γ值相对升高,BALF中IL-4值相对降低,IFN-γ值相对升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论黄龙止咳口服液通过降低机体的IL-4含量、升高IFN-γ含量发挥治疗CVA的作用。     

雾化吸入γ-干扰素对免疫低下大鼠某些细胞因子的影响

目的：研究雾化吸入γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)对免疫低下大鼠细胞因子的影响。方法：醋酸考的松皮下注射复制大鼠免疫低下模型,检测气管内注射白色念珠菌并雾化吸入IFN-γ l、3、7d的免疫低下大鼠和对照组大鼠肺泡巨噬细胞(AM)培养上清中TNF-α活性和IL-1β、IL-6水平,支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)IFN-γ、TNF-α活性,肺组织IFN-γ、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6表达,以及血清IFN-γ活性和IL-1β、IL-6水平。结果：吸入IFN-γ组大鼠AM培养上清中TNF-α的活性和IL-1β、IL-6水平显著高于对照组大鼠。吸入IFN-γ组大鼠BALF中IFN-γ、TNF-α活性高于对照组大鼠(d7 TNF-α除外)。吸入IFN-γ组灌菌后d7肺组织IFN-γ和IL-1β的表达高于对照组,TNF-α表达低于对照组,IL-6表达二组无显著差异。吸入IFN-γ组大鼠血清IFN-γ活性和IL-1β、IL-6水平,除d3 IL-1β外,与免疫低下大鼠组相比无显著差异。结论 雾化吸入IFN-γ可明显提高肺内IFN-γ、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6水平,但对相应血清细胞因子无明显影响。     

吸入前列腺素E1对脂多糖所致大鼠急性肺损伤模型Th1/Th2的影响

目的 探讨雾化吸入前列腺素E1(PGE1)对脂多糖(LPS)所致大鼠急性肺损伤(ALI)模型Th1/Th2的影响.方法 尾静脉注射LPS复制大鼠ALI模型,PGE1雾化入宽大玻璃瓶内让大鼠自由吸入,用ELISA法检测大鼠外周血和支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中干扰素γ(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素4(IL-4)的水平及IFN-γ/IL-4比值.结果 LPS组外周血及BALF中IFN-γ/IL-4比值较生理盐水对照组(NS组)显著升高(P＜0.01),PGE1组外周血IFN-γ/IL-4(Th1/Th2)比值在6、12及24 h时间点显著低于LPS组(P＜0.01),而BALF中各时间点IFN-γ/IL-4(Th1/Th2)比值显著低于LPS组(P＜0.01).结论 雾化吸入PGE1可使LPS所致大鼠ALI失衡的Th1/Th2趋于平衡,减轻LPS所致大鼠ALI.     

白细胞介素-12通过调整Th1／Th2细胞因子平衡抑制肺纤维化

目的:研究白细胞介素-12(Interleukin-12,IL-12)对博莱霉素(Bleomycin,BLM)致大鼠肺纤维化的治疗作用及机制.方法:采用完全随机设计将雌性Wistar大鼠60只随机分为4组,即BLM模型组(1组)、IL-12干预组(2组)、BSA治疗对照组(3组)及生理盐水(NS)对照组(4组).第1,2,3组经气管注入BLM制备肺纤维化(PF)大鼠模型,第4组给予同等体积的NS.制模后第1-12日腹腔注射干预药物.第2组为IL-12溶液,第3组为牛血清白蛋白(Bovine Serum Albu-min,BSA)溶液,制模后第7,14,28日每组各处死5只大鼠,观察其病理改变、肺脏重量、肺组织匀浆中羟脯氨酸(Hydroxyproline,Hyp)水平及肺系数的变化,对病理切片进行肺泡炎和纤维化评分和灰度百分比分析.测定支气管肺泡灌洗液(Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,BALF)中自细胞介素-4(In-terleukin-4,IL4)、γ-干扰素(Interferon-gamma,INF-γ)水平,计算IL-4/INF-γ比值.结果:(1)与第4组比较,第1组出现明显肺泡炎及纤维化,肺脏重量、肺系数、肺组织匀浆中Hyp含量增加,肺泡炎及纤维化评分增高,BALF中IL-4增加、IL-4/INF-γ比值增高,差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05);灰度分析示7,14 d深染区百分比增加(P<0.01),7 d时浅染区百分比增加(P<0.05),但是BALF中INF-γ减少(P<0.05);(2)第3组各个指标同第1组比较差异无统计学意义;(3)第2组与第1,3组比较肺泡炎及纤维化程度均减轻,7,14 d时的肺泡炎评分、深染区百分比以及28 d时肺纤维化评分、浅染区百分比减少,肺脏重量(7 d时)、肺系数、Hyp含量,BALF中IL-4含量减少,IL-4/INF-γ比值减低,差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05),但是INF-γ含量增加(P<0.01).结论:IL-12能通过调整Th1/Th2型细胞因子的平衡而对BLM所致大鼠肺纤维化发挥抗肺纤维化作用.     

雾化吸入γ-干扰素增强免疫低下大鼠肺部抗感染能力的研究

免疫低下患者日益增多,难治性呼吸系统感染是这些患者的主要死亡原因,且已成为临床医学的研究重点。本研究旨在探讨雾化吸入提高肺局部干扰素γ(IFN-γ)水平,对免疫低下大鼠肺部抗感染能力和细胞免疫的影响。 　　一、材料和方法 　　1.实验方法：（1）动物模型的制备、分组和标本留取：方法请参见参考文献［1］。（2）肺泡巨噬细胞（AM）的吞噬及杀菌功能检测：白色念珠菌法［2］。（3）AM的Ⅰa抗原表达：间接免疫荧光试验［3］。（4）AM培养上清和血清中白细胞介素(IL)-1β、IL-6水平检测：酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法。（5）AM培养上清和支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α活性的检测：L929细胞毒性试验［4］。（6）血清和BALF中IFN-γ活性的检测：L929细胞病变抑制试验［5］。BALF的测定结果用小牛血清白蛋白的含量校正,以U/ml的形式表示。     

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.