1型糖尿病患者Th1/Th2细胞亚群的研究

目的研究Th1/Th2细胞亚群分泌的不同细胞因子,探讨1型糖尿病患者体内Th1/Th2细胞亚群的变化。方法用放射免疫法(RIA)检测了48例1型糖尿病患者(7例合并有下肢血管病变)血清中Th1型细胞亚群分泌的细胞因子IFN-γ、TNF-α和Th2型细胞亚群分泌的细胞因子IL-4、IL-10的水平变化,19例健康志愿者做为对照。结果1型糖尿病患者血清中Th1型细胞因子IFN-γ、TNF-α的水平分别(63.30±14.3)ng/L和(65.03±24.98)Fmol/ml,显著高于正常对照组(29.48±11.98)ng/L和(23.66±13.51)Fmol/ml(P<0.01);Th2型细胞因子IL-4、IL-10的水平分别为(2.21±0.96)ng/L和(24.98±7.31)ng/L,明显低于正常对照组(5.37±1.10)ng/L和(62.87±5.97)ng/L(P<0.01);糖尿病并发下肢血管病患者Th1型细胞因子IFN-γ、TNF-α和Th2型细胞因子IL-4、IL-10水平分别为(90.03±5.20)ng/L、(109.28±26.74)Fmol/ml和(0.55±0.22)ng/L、(12.12±2.39)ng/L,单纯糖尿病患者组四种细胞因子水平分别为(58.76±9.57)ng/L、(56.98±15.43)Fmol/ml和(2.49±0.72)ng/L、(27.18±5.30)ng/L,两组相比,四种细胞因子水平差异均有显著性(P<0.01)。结论1型糖尿病患者体内Th1/Th2细胞亚群发生了Th2→Th1的漂移改变,并与病情相关,为探讨该病的发病机制及病情监测提供了理论依据。     

上皮性卵巢癌患者外周血Th1／Th2细胞因子表达水平的变化

目的:探讨上皮性卵巢癌患者外周血Th1/Th2细胞因子表达水平.方法:用刺激物刺激细胞,增加细胞内细胞因子的表达,再加入荧光标记的特异性抗细胞因子单克隆抗体,流式细胞仪检测特异性细胞因子表达水平.结果:上皮性卵巢癌患者Th1型细胞因子IL-2,IFN-γ表达水平依次为(9.47±3.56)ng/L,(10.12±2.51)ng/L,而正常对照组依次为(12.20±2.48)ng/L,(13.38±2.89)ng/L,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);而Th2型细胞因子IL-4,IL-10表达水平依次为(4.56±0.78)ng/L,(5.26±2.27)ng/L,而正常对照组依次为(1.24±0.39)ng/L,(1.46±0.52)ng/L,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论:卵巢癌患者Th1/Th2失调,Th1型反应弱,Th2型反应优,可使肿瘤细胞发生免疫逃逸.     

子宫内膜异位症患者血浆和PBMC培养上清液中IFN-γ、IL-4的表达及其临床意义

目的 检测子宫内膜异位症患者血浆和PBMC培养上清液中IFN-γ、IL-4的表达水平,并分析其临床意义.方法 对25例子宫内膜异位症患者和25例健康生育年龄妇女的外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)进行分离和培养,并采用ELISA方法检测血浆和PBMC培养上清液中IFN-γ、IL-4的表达水平.结果 (1)在PBMC诱生培养上清液中,内膜异位症组IL-4的表达水平为(33.6±11.7)ng/L,明显比对照组[(23.4±4.8)ng/L]升高(P＜0.01),而IFN-γ的表达水平(1 038.8±356.7)ng/L较对照组[(1463.1±348.3)ng/L]明显下降,子宫内膜异位症组的IFN-γ/IL-4比值(38.5±18.2)较对照组(73.2±13.6)也明显下降(P＜0.01).(2)在血浆中,除子宫内膜异位症组IL-4水平[(30.1±10.8)ng/L]高于对照组[(21.4±5.7)ng/L](P＜0.05)外,IFN-γ的表达水平及IFN-γ/IL-4比值与对照组比较,差异均无显著性(P＞0.05).结论 子宫内膜异位症患者体内存在Th1/Th2失衡,使子宫内膜能够逃避免疫监视及杀伤而在异位种植,引起内异症的发生发展.     

干扰素α-2a治疗慢性乙肝患者血清Th1/Th2亚群细胞因子的水平变化及意义

目的 探讨慢性乙肝患者接受干扰素α-2a(INFα-2a)抗病毒治疗后血清T淋巴细胞亚群Th1/Th2细胞因子水平的变化及与肝功能ALT恢复、血清HBVDNA含量变化的关系.方法 60例HBeAg( )慢性乙肝患者接受干扰素α-2a(安福隆)抗病毒治疗,ELISA法检测治疗前及治疗24周后Th1亚群细胞因子IL-2、γ-INF及Th2亚群细胞因子IL-4、IL-10的血清浓度变化,并同时检测肝功能ALT、HBVDNA含量的变化.结果 60例HBeAg( )慢性乙肝患者INFα-2a治疗24周后,有52例患者ALT恢复正常,占86.7%,有32例HBVDNA＜103,HBeAg(-),占53.3%,其中有14例发生HBeAg血清学转换,比例为23.3%.治疗组患者血清Th1细胞因子水平低于对照组,Th2细胞因子水平高于对照组,INFα-2a治疗结束时,HBeAg阴转患者血清Th1细胞因子浓度比治疗前升高,Th2细胞因子浓度比治疗前降低均有统计学意义(P＜0.05),ALT恢复正常,HBVDNA含量下降显著(P＜0.01).结论 T细胞亚群Th1/Th2细胞因子与慢性乙肝INFα-2a抗病毒治疗后血清ALT复常及HBVDNA含量下降相关,Th1/Th2亚群细胞因子平衡是促进肝功能ALA恢复、HBeAg血清转换及HBVDNA含量下降的重要因素之一.     

危重病患者细胞免疫功能的评价

目的探讨危重病患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群及自然杀伤细胞(NK细胞)活性与APACHEⅡ评分及预后的关系.方法观察30例ICU的危重病患者(APACHEⅡ评分≥16)的细胞免疫功能、血清白蛋白水平.结果APACHEⅡ评分＞20患者的NK细胞活性低于APACHEⅡ评分≤20者(10.7±4.0与11.7±5.7,P＜0.05);经过加强治疗病情好转者,入ICU时外周血NK细胞活性、白蛋白水平高于病情恶化者[(14.3±5.1)%与(8.9±31)%,P＜0.01];(32.7±5.3)g/L与(29.0±2 5)g/L,P＜0.05];30例患者NK细胞活性与APACHEⅡ评分呈负相关(r=-0.387,P＜0.05);治疗好转的11例患者两周后外周血CD8水平、NK细胞活性较入ICU时升高[(28.2±5.8)%与(21.3±10.2)%;(19.4±9.3)%与(13.7±4.5)%,均P＜0.05],但CD4/CD8比值下降(1.64±0.45与2.15±0.89,P＜0.05).结论外周血NK细胞活性可以反映危重病患者免疫功能并提示预后;危重病患者即使预后较好,仍存在细胞免疫功能的抑制.     

恶性肿瘤患者淋巴细胞活性及Th1/Th2细胞因子的测定

目的通过对晚期恶性肿瘤患者外周血NK细胞、B细胞、T淋巴细胞亚群活性及其分泌的细胞因子Th1型细胞因子(IFN-γ)、Th2型细胞因子(IL-4)的检测,探讨其对恶性肿瘤患者免疫功能的影响。方法分组对照研究,其中恶性肿瘤患者44例,健康者43例,取外周血,用流式细胞仪检测CD3 、CD4 、CD8 等T细胞亚群及NK细胞、B细胞,定量分析CD4 、CD8 分泌的Th1型细胞因子(IFN-γ)、Th2型细胞因子(IL-4),并与对照组比较,进行统计学分析研究。结果恶性肿瘤患者NK细胞活性和Th1型细胞因子(IFN-γ)的分泌明显低于对照组(p<0.05),而其CD3 、CD4 、CD8 、B细胞和Th2型细胞因子(IL-4)与对照组相比无显著差异(p>0.05)。结论恶性肿瘤患者Th1、Th2细胞因子的失衡可能是导致免疫偏移的原因,检测NK细胞、T淋巴细胞亚群及其分泌的细胞因子可反映患者的免疫水平,对指导治疗有一定价值。     

再生障碍性贫血患者外周血T细胞亚群及Th1/Th2细胞分析

目的通过分析再生障碍性贫血(再障)患者外周血T细胞亚群及Th1和Th2细胞,进一步探讨再障的免疫发病机制。方法①流式细胞术检测再障患者外周血T细胞亚群和T细胞HLADR抗原的表达;②用流式细胞术检测经体外刺激后再障患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMNC)中Th1、Th2细胞。结果①再障患者CD3 CD4 细胞、CD3 CD8 细胞、CD8 HLADR 细胞百分率及CD4 /CD8 比值分别为(35.05±9.47)%,(36.29±6.81)%,(18.36±2.07)%,1.0±0.33;对照组为(52.84±4.03)%,(24.69±3.90)%,(11.13±1.14)%,2.14±0.24;再障患者CD3 CD4 细胞和CD4 /CD8 比值显著低于对照组(P<0.01);CD3 CD8 细胞、CD8 HLADR 细胞显著高于对照组(P<0.01);而CD3 细胞与对照组相比差异无显著性(P>0.05)。②再障患者外周血中Th1细胞百分率和Th1/Th2比值分别为(20.62±2.98)%和14.63±4.81,均显著高于对照组(11.13±1.48)%和9.33±2.82(P<0.01);而Th2细胞百分率与对照组相比差异无显著性(P>0.05)。③Th1细胞与CD3 CD8 细胞呈正相关(r为0.678,P<0.01),与网织红细胞相对值、中性粒细胞绝对值(ANC)呈负相关(r分别为-0.590和-0.503,P值均<0.05)。结论再障患者的T淋巴细胞亚群失衡,Th1细胞增多可能是导致再障造血衰竭的重要环节。     

大叶性肺炎患儿诱导痰中T细胞亚群和细胞因子的变化及意义

目的：研究大叶性肺炎患儿诱导痰中T细胞亚群和细胞因子的变化及其临床意义。方法选择2014年9月至2015年9月在我院儿科接受诊治的大叶性肺炎患儿64例作为观察组,另选同期在我院进行健康体检的健康儿童60例作为对照组,比较两组受检者诱导痰内的T细胞亚群(CD3+、CD4+、CD8+及CD4+/CD8+),炎性细胞因子水平(IL-6、IL-8及TNF-α),以及T细胞亚群有关细胞因子水平(IFN-γ、TGF-β及IL-17A)。结果观察组患儿的诱导痰内的CD3+(67.84±8.62)%、CD4+(46.08±6.93)%及CD4+/CD8+(2.07±0.21)均较对照组的(55.37±6.25)%、(30.82±5.07)%、(1.40±0.17)明显更高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组受检者的CD8+(24.23±3.06)%及(24.63±3.62)%比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);观察组患儿诱导痰内的IL-6(358.27±29.13) ng/L、IL-8(2.13±0.07) ng/L及TNF-α(3.08±0.92) ng/L水平均较对照组的(150.24±32.28) ng/L、(0.58±0.02) ng/L、(0.39±0.23) ng/L明显更高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组患儿诱导痰内IFN-γ(5.19±2.63)×10-4及TGF-β(3.31±1.09)×10-2显著低于对照组的(23.42±3.92)×10-4及(6.18±2.11)×10-2,而IL-17A (3.46±1.24)×10-5显著高于对照组的(2.94±1.30)×10-5,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论大叶性肺炎患儿诱导痰中的T细胞亚群以及细胞因子均呈现出异常变化,对此类指标进行监测有助于临床的诊断与治疗。     

弓形虫感染致早孕蜕膜自然杀伤细胞亚群的变化

目的 通过检测弓形虫感染后早孕蜕膜自然杀伤(NK)细胞亚群的变化,探讨其与弓形虫感染致不良妊娠结局的相关性. 方法 无菌获取10例正常健康早孕孕妇蜕膜组织,分离并纯化蜕膜NK细胞,培养24 h后平均分为2组:实验组细胞与弓形虫强毒株(RH株)共培养48 h,对照组加等量生理盐水.流式细胞分析实验组和对照组蜕膜NK细胞亚群的变化. 结果 实验组蜕膜NK细胞CD56+CD16-亚群所占比例为(48.83±21.99)%,对照组为(57.70±18.97)%;实验组CD56+CD16+亚群所占比例为(11.48±10.70)%,对照组为(4.45±4.24)%;实验组CD56+ CD16-/CD56+CD16+比值为(10.92±17.84)%,对照组为(23.37±19.98)%;以上差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).实验组蜕膜NK细胞CD56+亚群所占比例为(60.31±22.53)%,对照组为(62.16±19.76)%,两组之间无统计学差异(P＞0.05). 结论 早孕期弓形虫感染可致蜕膜NK细胞CD56+CD16-亚群所占比例下降,且CD56+CD16+亚群所占比例上升,打破了正常妊娠时两者之间的平衡状态,这可能是早孕期弓形虫感染致不良妊娠结局的分子机制.     

恶性肿瘤患者T细胞亚群变化及其与肿瘤分期的关系

目的 了解恶性肿瘤患者的细胞免疫功能状况,为肿瘤治疗提供参考.方法 用流式细胞仪分别对消化道肿瘤、女性生殖系统肿瘤、肺癌患者及健康对照者外周血总T(TT)、Th、Ts、Th/Ts和NK细胞进行检测,SPSS 10.0软件进行统计分析.结果 Th细胞在肺癌、女性生殖系统肿瘤以及消化道肿瘤患者中分别为(29.41±9.24)%、(34.62±10.27)%、(32.48±11.64)%,Th/Ts分别为0.93±0.39、1.10±0.49、1.16±0.52,均明显低于正常对照组(P＜0.05).Ⅰ～Ⅱ期组及Ⅲ～Ⅳ期组肿瘤患者Th细胞分别为(37.77±9.13)%、(27.29±9.16)%,Ts细胞分别为(28.56±8.19)%、(37.90±11.89)%,2组经统计学检验差异有显著性(P＜0.05).结论 恶性肿瘤患者的细胞免疫功能处于抑制状态且其抑制程度与肿瘤分期相关.     

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.