Note: A simple feedback control method based on a real time acquisition voltage to avoid second breakdown of PFL

To avoid serious damage in the pulse forming line (PFL) caused by repeated breakdown, a simple feedback control method based on a reverse peak voltage of the primary capacitor of the transformer is presented in this paper. The theoretical analysis of the breakdown circuit is carried out. The results indicate that once the breakdown occurs, the reverse peak voltage of the primary capacitor of the transformer increases obviously. A simple comparison function is added in the control system of the accelerator. If the collected reverse peak voltage of the primary capacitor is higher than the reference value, then the accelerator stops working immediately. The experimental result shows that this method can prevent the re-breakdown of the PFL effectively.

Expression and diagnostic value of proteins in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

We constructed a prokaryotic expression vector expressing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein TB16.3, as well as 3 other proteins, including TB15.3, CFP-10, and Rv2626C, which were purified and analyzed for their effectiveness as detection antibodies. The TB16.3 genes of M. tuberculosis H37Rv genomic DNA were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, inserted into the expression vector pET-30a, and expressed in Escherichia coli. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the 4 M. tuberculosis antibodies. Engineered E. coli bacteria expressing TB16.3 and the 3 other proteins were constructed and found mainly to be soluble. For recombinant TB16.3 proteins, serum samples of 118 tuberculosis (TB) patients and 96 healthy controls were analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity, and adjusted concordance rate for the TB16.3 antibody were 72.9, 86.5, and 79.6%, respectively. The positive rate of Rv2626C antibody in TB patients (44.1%) was significantly lower than that in normal controls (75.0%, χ(2) = 20.8, P < 0.01). TB15.3 and TB16.3 were used for simultaneous detection and showed sensitivity, specificity, and repeatability rates of 69.4, 96.9, and 83.7%. The antibody positive rate and specificity for patients with lung disease was 9.6 and 90.4%, respectively. TB15.3 and TB16.3 were mixed and detected simultaneously. Combined with the results for TB15.3, the sensitivity, specificity, and concordance rates were 82.2, 95.9, and 88.9%, respectively. The concordance rate was the highest value observed. Target genes were cloned into a host strain and expressed successfully. The TB16.3 recombinant protein may be used as a new serological antigen for tuberculosis diagnosis.

Expression and serological diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis CFP-10 and Rv2626c proteins

We constructed a Mycobacterium tuberculosis vector expressing CFP-10 and Rv2626c to examine the expression of these proteins in Escherichia coli as well as their immunoreactivity. The CFP-10 and Rv2626c genes were amplified from tuberculosis H37Rv genomic DNA using polymerase chain reaction. They were ligated into the expression vector PET30a and expressed in E. coli. Histidine tag nickel column chromatography was used to purify the recombinant protein. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for detection. In our E. coli-engineered bacteria containing a CFP10 and Rv2626c plasmid, the target protein was found mainly to be in the soluble form. We formed mixed antigens of the recombinant CFP10 and Rv2626c proteins. ELISA results showed that in 214 blood samples, the positive rate was 77.1%. The target gene was successfully expressed in the host strain. Mixed antigens of the recombinant CFP-10 and Rv2626c proteins can be used as a combination antigen in the serological diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Anxiety and depression in parents of sick neonates: a hospital-based study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in parents of hospitalised neonates and to analyse their relationship with other factors such as stress and social support, to provide evidence for targeted clinical interventions.

BACKGROUND

The perinatal period, a special susceptibility to negative emotions, is a period that women and their spouses have to face. In this time, the fact that the neonates have to be hospitalised is no doubt a huge psychological stress to their parents. Little understanding of the hospitalisation environment, lacking awareness of neonatal diseases as well as concerns about the neonates' safety, can easily lead to negative emotions in parents. Under the influence of negative mood, parents could become irritable and vulnerable, which may do harm to their physical and mental health, impact family harmony and even result in ineffective communication with doctors, affecting the care of neonates.

DESIGN

This study applied a cross-sectional study design.

METHODS

The psychological status of 600 parents (400 fathers and 200 mothers) was assessed in the first week of the hospitalisation of neonates, using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depressive Scale, Social Support Rating Scale and Perceived Stress Scale.

RESULTS

The results of the cross-sectional survey showed that 20% of fathers and 24% of mothers had symptoms of anxiety, while 30.8% of fathers and 35% of mothers had depressive symptoms. The total scores for anxiety and depression in these parents were significantly higher than the normal population (p<0.01). The level of social support and perceived stress were the most important factors relating to parental anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSION

Parents of hospitalised neonates are more prone to suffer from negative emotions than normal population. Anxiety and depression are common emotions in these parents. However, the social support they receive is far from satisfactory, so timely and effective nursing interventions are essential.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Health professionals should understand the mental health of parents with hospitalised neonates and take measures to reduce their psychological pressure so as to improve their care of the neonates, and help to maintain the harmony and stability of families and the whole society.

Long-term consequences of the early treatment of children with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening in Nanjing, China: a 12-year follow-up study

This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in neonates in Nanjing, China and the long-term consequences of early treatment. A total of 442 454 neonates were screened for CH and 183 neonates were confirmed, with a prevalence of 1 in 2418. Of these, 163 neonates completed the follow-up process and 163 healthy children were recruited as the control group. The height, weight and body mass index (BMI) of the children with CH from 0.5 to 6 years were not significantly different from the control group (p > 0.05). The children with CH had a significantly increased risk for being overweight or obese between 0.5 and 6 years (p < 0.05). The children with CH showed a significantly lower developmental quotient (DQ) than the control group in all four areas of the Gesell test (p < 0.05). The results suggest that children with CH that has been identified by newborn screening and early treatment have normal growth and neuromotor development.

Transcutaneous bilirubin nomogram for predicting neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term and late-preterm Chinese infants

Identifying infants that will develop significant hyperbilirubinemia with the risk of kernicterus, and planning appropriate follow-up strategies, is particularly challenging. In this study, 36,921 transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements were obtained from 6,035 healthy neonates (gestational age ≥ 35 weeks and birth weight ≥ 2,000 g) between January 1 and December 31, 2009. All measurements were performed with the JM-103 bilirubinometer at designated times between 0 and 168 postnatal hours. TcB percentiles were calculated and used to develop an hour-specific nomogram. The rate of increase in TcB was higher during the first 72 h of age, after which levels declined to a plateau by 72-108 h of age. We constructed a TcB nomogram by using the 40th, 75th, and 95th percentile values of TcB for every 12 h of the studied interval. The 75th percentile curve of the nomogram may be an ideal cutoff point for intensive follow-up of the neonate for hyperbilirubinemia as it carries very high sensitivity (78.7%) and negative predictive value (98.5%). The specificity (45.7%) and positive predictive value (15.5%) decreased to reach their lowest levels at the 40th percentile. Of the neonates in the high-risk zone, 167 (48.8%) infants had persistent subsequent hyperbilirubinemia post-discharge, compared with 292 (27.0%) infants in the high-intermediate-risk zone at discharge. One-hundred and seventeen (5.5%) infants in the low-intermediate-risk zone moved into the high-risk zone during follow-up. No newborn infants in the low-risk zone became high-risk during follow-up. We provide an hour-specific TcB nomogram to predict neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term and late-preterm Chinese infants.

[Heat transfer analysis of liquid cooling garment used for extravehicular activity]

Brief description was given about the construction and function of the LCG (liquid cooling garment) used for EVA (extravehicular activity). The heat convection was analyzed between ventilating gas and LCG, the heat and mass transfer process was analyzed too, then a heat and mass transfer mathematical model of LCG was developed. Thermal physiological experimental study with human body wearing LVCG (liquid cooling and ventilation garment) used for EVA was carried out to verify this mathematical model. This study provided a basis for the design of liquid-cooling and ventilation system for the space suit.

Preventive and therapeutic effects of nitrendipine on hypoxic right ventricular hypertrophy

AIM

To assess whether nitrendipine (Nit) can be used to prevent and treat the hypoxic right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH).

METHODS

Rats were exposed to a simulated altitude of 5000 m (barometric pressure = 54 kPa) for 30-60 d. Nit (10-20 mg.kg-1.d-1) was administered via gavage. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated with right ventricular weight index (RVWI), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), and myocardial ultrastructure.

RESULTS

Chronic intermittent hypoxia for 30 d (8 h.d-1) resulted in an increase of RVSP and RVWI as well as in the changes of RV myocardial ultrastructure. As the hypoxic time was prolonged to 60 d, RVWI and RVSP were not further augmented. Nit (20 mg.kg-1.d-1, i.g.), when administered from the beginning of hypoxia, reduced RVSP (8.1 +/- 1.1 vs 6.0 +/- 1.0 kPa, P < 0.05) and RVWI (1.014 +/- 0.012 vs 0.915 +/- 0.049 mg/g body weight, P < 0.05). After development of hypoxic RVH, Nit (20 mg.kg-1) also decreased RVSP (7.9 +/- 1.0 vs 6.2 +/- 0.8 kPa, P < 0.05) and RVWI (1.02 +/- 0.13 vs 0.88 +/- 0.12 g/kg body weight, P < 0.05). Myocardial blood flow was increased and myocardial ultrastructure became nearly normal in rats treated with Nit.

CONCLUSION

Nit prevented and lessened the hypoxic right ventricular hypertrophy.