Maternal environment and the expression of murine neural tube defects

The role that genetic and environmental factors play in triggering neural tube defects in the mouse mutant curly-tail (ct) were investigated by transplanting curly-tail blastocysts into the uterus of either curly-tail females or females of an unrelated A strain with a low natural incidence of abnormalities of the neural tube. The percentages of fetuses with neural tube defects were found to be similar in both groups. These results show that in curly-tail mice exencephaly and spina bifida are manifested independently of the maternal environment.     

Selective feticide of the affected twin by fetoscopic air embolism

Three twin pregnancies, each with one affected fetus (by microcephaly, haemophilia A and spina bifida respectively) were encountered. Selective feticide was performed at the patient's request by injection of filtered air into an umbilical vessel by fetoscopy. The method was successful in all three pregnancies two of which resulted in a live, healthy baby.     

核电材料辐照损伤的多尺度高通量计算模拟

反应堆压力容器用钢等核电材料在持续服役中,由于中子辐照造成其内部缺陷不断累积,致使材料组织结构损伤、性能劣化,对核电安全运行形成潜在威胁。多尺度计算模拟是探索辐照缺陷演化机理的有效手段,结合等效缺陷结构理论,有望实现核电材料服役行为的高效评价与预测。文中综述了多尺度计算模拟在核电材料辐照缺陷演化相关研究领域的进展,并对缺陷结构的多尺度演化本质及相应的多尺度高通量计算模拟方法进行了分析讨论。结果表明,通过缺陷结构特征能量等效传递的方法可以实现从第一性原理计算到缺陷扩散反应动力学等高通量计算模拟的跨尺度耦合;通过多尺度高通量计算模拟得到的缺陷演化热力学和动力学数据,可以搭建用于预测核电材料长期服役行为的材料基因工程数据库;在材料缺陷结构特征能量-组织结构-性能关联性探讨基础上,应用高通量计算模拟,辅以高通量实验数据验证,有望建立基于材料基因组结构能的服役安全工程模型。     

钢箱梁典型病害分析及其检测与维护技术研究

基于对我国钢箱梁桥的钢箱梁病害调查,总结出我国钢箱粱典型病害的类型,分析各种钢箱梁典型病害产生的机理及导致其破坏的原因,提出了钢箱梁病害的日常检测与维护技术.针对钢箱梁的涂装劣化、钢材腐蚀、结构性损伤等病害,给出了日常检测与维护的主要项目,介绍了人工目视检测、超声波检测、磁粉检测及涡流检测等主要的检测方法的工作原理、优...     

论我国能源就地转化概念的完善

我国能源就地转化的概念虽已有两个定义,但它们没有完全反映能源就地转化本身所具有的内在特点和发展的必然趋势。通过对之进行深入研究,从能源就地转化扩大资源地能源与能源转化设备消费内需、调整资源地与能源消费地的经济结构、转变其经济增长方式、增强资源地的发展能力、缓解我国的能源运输压力和缩小我国地域间发展差距6个方面对之予以完善。     

Does nuchal translucency have a role in fetal cardiac screening?

Increased nuchal translucency is the strongest single marker for chromosomal abnormality. Consequently, it is currently becoming established as the foundation of most early screening programmes for Down syndrome. In the absence of chromosomal abnormality, increased nuchal translucency has been shown to be associated with other congenital anomalies including cardiac defects. Several datasets have now reported this association and here these are reviewed to assess the effectiveness of nuchal translucency measurement as a screening tool for the prenatal detection of congenital heart disease. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Measurement of cholinesterases in amniotic fluid using a naphthyl acetate as substrate: A possible initial test for prenatal diagnosis of open neural tube defects

A quantitative method for cholinesterases in amniotic fluid using the non-specific substrate α naphthyl acetate and the cholinesterase-specific inhibitor, eserine, is described. This assay was used to test 671 samples of amniotic fluid. The diagnoses for fetal ONTDs, based on the levels of AChE + ChE, were compared with those made for the same samples by the AFP method. Correct diagnoses were made by both methods with amniotic fluid from 35 women carrying fetuses with ONTDs and 631 carrying normal fetuses. There were five false-positive test results for normal fetuses by both methods when the cut-off points were 5 standard deviations above the mean for AFP and above the upper limit of the normal range (7. 5 milliunits) for cholinesterase (AChE + ChE). None of the false-positive samples from either method had the acetylcholinesterase band of activity characteristic of ONTDs after gel electrophoresis. In addition to the above 671 samples, 37 pregnancies with serious fetal abnormalities other than ONTDs were tested. Two were identified by both the AFP and AChE + ChE methods, two more by AFP assay and one other by the AChE + ChE assay.     

Sensorimotor performance deficits induced by chronic chlorpyrifos exposure in Wistar rats: mitigative effect of vitamin C

This study was aimed at evaluating the ameliorative effect of vitamin C on chlorpyrifos-induced sensorimotor changes involving postural reflex, limb placing, and vibrissae touch in Wistar rats. Forty adult Wistar rats of either sex were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals in each group. Group I was administered soya oil (2?mL?kg^?1) while group II was given vitamin C (100?mg?kg^?1); group III was dosed with chlorpyrifos (10.6?mg?kg^?1, i.e. ～1/8th of the LD₅₀); group IV was administered vitamin C (100?mg?kg^?1) and then exposed to chlorpyrifos (10.6?mg?kg^?1), 30?min later. The regimens were administered by gavage once daily for a period of 17 weeks. Neurobehavioral parameters involving postural reflex, limb placing, and vibrissae touch responses measured at various intervals revealed a deficit in postural reflex, limb placing, and vibrissae touch responses in the CPF group, which was mitigated by vitamin C pretreatment. The neuronal and glial cell degeneration, increased brain malonaldehyde concentration, and decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and acetylcholinesterase activities recorded in the group given chlorpyrifos were ameliorated by vitamin C. Therefore, vitamin C was shown to mitigate chlorpyrifos-induced sensorimotor deficits partly due to its antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase restoration properties.     

腐蚀缺陷管道评价标准保守性对比分析

针对标准SY/T6477-2000和标准API RP579-2007 中腐蚀缺陷管道评价判据问题,研究了标准中各项判据及其算法,计算了不同评价标准对于同一腐蚀缺陷的评价结果,并对比分析了不同参数变化情况与评价结果保守性关系。结果表明,不同评价标准所得的缺陷管道判据参数值之间存在差异,即各评价标准的保守性不同,不同评价标准适用于不同的均匀腐蚀或局部腐蚀缺陷管道情况。以此有效防止使用标准时造成差错,同时为今后相关标准的修订尽可能提供有益的帮助。