First-trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin screening for chromosome defects

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of combined maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) and maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (MShCG) screening in detecting chromosome defects in the first trimester of pregnancy. Sera of 492 women (previously assayed for MSAFP) were analysed for MShCG under code without knowledge of cytogenetic results. Overall, 48 of 492 patients (9·8 per cent) had either an MSAFP multiple of the median ⩽0·5 or an MShCG β/a z ratio multiple of the median ⩽ 0·25, eight of whom had a fetus with a serious chromosome defect. A third of fetuses with Down' s syndrome and 83 per cent with trisomy 18 were detected at a potential‘cost’ of providing chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis in 8·6 percent of women screened.     

A comparison of amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase in the prenatal diagnosis of open neural tube defects and anterior abdominal wall defects

Amniotic fluid samples received for routine prenatal diagnosis of open neural tube defects were used for a study to compare amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase (AChE) determination using a monoclonal antibody (4F19) enzyme antigen immunoassay and amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) measurement as diagnostic tests for open neural tube defects. The study was based on 9964 women with singleton pregnancies and known outcome (including 6 with anencephaly and 18 with open spina bifida) having an amniocentesis at 14–23 weeks of gestation. The AChE immunoassay yielded detection rates for anencephaly of 100 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval (CI) 54·07–100 per cent), for open spina bifida of 100 per cent (95 per cent CI 81·47–100 per cent), for anterior abdominal wall defects of 20 per cent (95 per cent CI 0-51-71-64 per cent), and a false-positive rate of 0·22 percent (95 per cent CI 0·14–0·34 per cent) excluding anencephaly, open spina bifida, and anterior abdominal wall defects. For similar detection rates the false-positive rate of the AFP test was significantly higher, 0·74 per cent (95 per cent CI 0·58–0·94 per cent). On the basis of these findings, it is recommended that the technically simple AChE immunoassay should be used on all samples; the AFP test should only be used on the 0·5 per cent of the samples with concentrations of AChE activity ⩾ 8·5 nkat/1 for clear samples and blood-stained samples becoming clear after centrifugation, and ⩾ 25·0 nkat/1 for blood-stained samples that are discoloured after centrifugation; an AFP cut-off level of 2·0 MOM is recommended for this policy. Thereby, the detection rates for anencephaly, open spina bifida, and anterior abdominal wall defects would be 100, 100, and 20 per cent, respectively (95 per cent CIs 54·07–100, 81·47–100, and 0·51–71·64 per cent, respectively), and the false-positive rate would be 0·08 per cent (95 per cent CI 0·03–0·16 per cent) (excluding anencephaly, open spina bifida, and anterior abdominal wall defects).     

Neural tube defects in trisomy 18

Central nervous system anomalies in trisomy 18 are usually confined to structural abnormalities of brain development. Despite the recognized association of neural tube defects and trisomy 18, primary (true) anencephaly is uncommon in the classical trisomy 18 phenotype. A case of anencephaly with trisomy 18, diagnosed prenatally, is presented with a review of the literature of this association.     

Four years' experience of maternal alpha-fetoprotein screening and its effect on the pattern of antenatal care

Estimation of alpha-fetoprotein (A.F.P.) in maternal serum was used as a screening method for the detection of fetal neural tube defect (N.T.D.) in 7315 women over a four year period. Of these, 5668 pregnancies were tested between 15 and 21 weeks. Action was advised in 129 patients (2·3 per cent). In 74 patients, the only action required was reviewing the notes, including the report of any ultrasound examination, and repeating the blood A.F.P. Detailed ultrasound including scanning the fetal spine was requested in 47 patients and amniocentesis was advised in 19 of these (0·33 per cent). In practice the incidence of amniocentesis was 0·28 per cent as three patients declined our advice. The programme gave detection rates between 15 and 21 weeks of 100 per cent and 75 per cent respectively for anencephaly and open spina bifida. A high fetal mortality was associated with persistently elevated blood A.F.P. levels whether amniocentesis was performed or not.     

Prevention of neural tube defects in curly-tail mice by maternal administration of vitamin A

Various doses of vitamin A were administered on day 9 of pregnancy to the pregnant curly-tail mouse, a mutant, 60 per cent of which have neural tube defects (NTD). There was a reduction in the incidence of NTD in the fetuses with all doses used. The effect was maximal with 5 mg/kg; it was also marked, but to a lesser degree, with 10 and 20 mg/kg and minimal with 1 mg/kg. The implications of these findings in the mouse to the prevention of NTD in humans by preconception vitamin supplementation are discussed.     

Robinow's syndrome: Prenatal diagnosis

The prenatal diagnosis of Robinow' s syndrome was accomplished in our case by measuring the length of the long bones and the ulna/humerus ratio. Although the prenatal sonographic appearance did not show the typical 8-week fetal face, pathological findings confirmed this particular feature. In view of the strongly suggestive family history, the authors consider the possible mechanisms of genetic inheritance.     

大气红外辐射超高光谱探测仪临边探测—污染气体的反演精度和光谱通道评估

利用RFM模式,模拟计算了在研仪器—大气红外辐射超高光谱探测仪的临边探测模式下大气污染气体体积混合比的权重函数.结合仪器的可探测亮温阈值（0.3 K）,利用权重函数线性化方法,计算并分析了6种大气状态下,气体混合比廓线在不同反演精度条件下可获得的光谱通道数随切点高度的变化,并给出了可用光谱通道在不同切点高度的位置.结果表明,随着相对反演精度的降低,可用光谱通道数量增加,除热带大气外,其它5种大气在10%臭氧反演精度和5%甲烷反演精度条件下有足够的通道,可用于反演4.6 km以上的混合比廓线.CO在15%反演精度条件下,6种大气均能获得反演6.9 km以上廓线的光谱通道.近地面切点高度反演比较困难,很难获得较高的反演精度.可用光谱通道位置与气体吸收线位置特别是峰值区域一致,也与气体模拟亮温高值区一致.     

Pt-Cu/TiO2{001}纳米片用于CO2加氢制甲醇反应的研究

以高暴露{001}晶面的TiO₂纳米片为载体,利用共还原法负载0.5%的Pt和一定量的Cu得到Pt-Cu/TiO₂{001}催化剂,并在P=3.0 MPa,T=200~300℃,V（N₂）：V（H₂）：V（CO₂）=8：69：23,空速（WHSV）=3600 mL·g^-1·h^-1反应条件下评价了催化剂催化CO₂加氢制甲醇的反应性能.XRD、XPS、EPR和CO₂-TPD等的表征表明,与催化剂Cu/TiO₂相比,引入Pt后,催化剂由于金属Pt的电子促进作用使负载的金属与载体之间的相互作用更强,进而有利于稳定Cu颗粒尺寸且载体形成了更多缺陷（如氧空位、Ti³⁺）.因此,Pt-Cu/TiO₂{001}催化剂的金属与载体界面上的活性位点更多,从而表现出更好的CO₂活化能力和甲醇生成性能.     

流动海水环境中人工破损有机涂层的劣化过程研究

目的研究流动海水环境中人工破损有机涂层的劣化过程。方法使用电化学阻抗谱(EIS)技术对比研究流动海水与静止海水环境中破损涂层的劣化行为,跟踪观察涂层宏观形貌演变。结果根据EIS响应特征,发现流动海水中的人工破损有机涂层劣化更快,且在浸泡后期流动海水中破损涂层没有形成扩散阻抗。根据涂层宏观形貌发展,发现静止海水中涂层仅围绕破损处出现了面积较小的锈点和鼓泡,而流动海水中涂层因劣化而产生的锈点和鼓泡面积更大且大量分布在整个涂层表面。结论当人工破损有机涂层在流动海水和静止海水环境的浸泡过程中,涂层劣化首先从人工破损处开始。破损处成为局部腐蚀反应主要的阳极区,破损处周围的区域和涂层内在缺陷处成为扩展腐蚀反应的阴极区。流动海水中涂层的腐蚀产物累积与脱落更加频繁,导致涂层劣化速度加快和基体金属腐蚀加剧。     

Improving body posture while fueling with a newly designed pump nozzle

Background. Although petrol pumps are a very common and highly used simple technology, their design consideration for comfort and safety to prevent high-pressure load and musculoskeletal injuries to the body is a neglected area in many countries including Iran. Objectives. This study attempted to design a new pump nozzle, and to assess the differences in musculoskeletal load related to body posture when a price/volume display is mounted on the pump nozzle. Methods. For postural analysis, photographs recording the posture of 100 randomly selected customers while fueling at petrol pumps and the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) technique were used. Results. The results of this study showed that RULA scores improved significantly after the newly designed pump nozzle was used. Conclusion. The newly designed pump nozzle is useful in reducing load related to body posture while fueling.