Chromosome-scale genomes provide new insights into subspecies divergence and evolutionary characteristics of the giant panda

Extant giant pandas are divided into Sichuan and Qinling subspecies. The giant panda has many species-specific characteristics, including comparatively small organs for body size, small genitalia of male individuals, and low reproduction. Here, we report the most contiguous, high-quality chromosome-level genomes of two extant giant panda subspecies to date, with the first genome assembly of the Qinling subspecies. Compared with the previously assembled giant panda genomes based on short reads, our two assembled genomes increased contiguity over 200-fold at the contig level. Additional sequencing of 25 individuals dated the divergence of the Sichuan and Qinling subspecies into two distinct clusters from 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. Comparative genomic analyses identified the loss of regulatory elements in the dachshund family transcription factor 2 (DACH2) gene and specific changes in the synaptotagmin 6 (SYT6) gene, which may be responsible for the reduced fertility of the giant panda. Positive selection analysis between the two subspecies indicated that the reproduction-associated IQ motif containing D (IQCD) gene may at least partly explain the different reproduction rates of the two subspecies. Furthermore, several genes in the Hippo pathway exhibited signs of rapid evolution with giant panda-specific variants and divergent regulatory elements, which may contribute to the reduced inner organ sizes of the giant panda.

Establishment of Gut Microbiome During Early Life and Its Relationship With Growth in Endangered Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon)

Gut microbiota during early life could influence host fitness in vertebrates. Studies on how gut microbiota colonize the gut in birds using frequent sampling during early developmental stages and how shifts in microbiota diversity influence host growth are lacking. Here, we examine the microbiome profiles of 151 fecal samples from 14 young crested ibis (Nipponia nippon), an endangered bird species, collected longitudinally across 13 time points during the early stages of development and investigated their correlation with host growth. Gut diversity showed a non-linear change during development, which involved multiple colonization and extinction events, mainly associated with Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Gut microbiota in young crested ibis became more similar with increasing age. In addition, gut microbiota exhibited a strong temporal structure and two specific developmental stages; the beginning of the latter stage coincided with the introduction of fresh loach, with a considerable increase in the relative abundance of Fusobacteria and several Firmicutes, which may be involved in lipid metabolism. Crested ibis chick growth rate was negatively correlated with gut microbiota diversity and negatively associated with the abundance of Halomonadaceae, Streptococci, Corynebacteriaceae, and Dietziaceae. Our findings highlight the importance of frequent sampling when studying microbiome development during early stages of development of vertebrates. The role of microbial diversity in host growth during the early stages of development of birds warrants further investigations.

Evaluating the impact of CPAP weaning procedures on total days on nasal CPAP: A retrospective chart review

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus on how to wean infants from Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (NCPAP). We hypothesized that ceasing NCPAP abruptly would decrease the duration required, compared with a gradual wean.

METHODS

This retrospective chart review included preterm infants requiring NCPAP for over 48 hours. Cohort1 weaned NCPAP by cycling on and off, while cohort 2 ceased NCPAP abruptly. The primary outcome was total days on NCPAP. Secondary outcomes included rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, weight gain, duration of hospital stay, and compliance with the use of stability criteria.

RESULTS

81 infants met inclusion criteria in cohort one, and 89 in cohort two. Median days on NCPAP were 17.0 and 11.0 days, respectively, not significant. There was no significant difference in secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant association between the two NCPAP weaning protocols and the outcomes studied.

MiR-195 inhibits myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive rats by regulating TGFβ1-Smad3 signaling pathway

The article "MiR-195 inhibits myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive rats by regulating TGFβ1-Smad3 signaling pathway, by Q. Xu, X.-X. Lin, P. Liu, W. Zhang, K. Tang, Y.-S. Zhai, L.-J. Liu, W.-Y. Mei, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (18): 8087-8094-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201909_19026-PMID: 31599435" has been withdrawn from the authors. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/19026.

Multilocus phylogeny and cryptic diversity of white-toothed shrews (Mammalia, Eulipotyphla, Crocidura) in China

BACKGROUND

Crocidura, the most speciose mammalian genus, occurs across much of Asia, Europe and Africa. The taxonomy of Chinese representatives has been studied primarily based on cursory morphological comparisons and their molecular phylogenetic analyses remain unexplored. In order to understand the phylogeny of this group in China, we estimated the first multilocus phylogeny and conducted species delimitation, including taxon sampling throughout their distribution range.

RESULTS

We obtained one mitochondrial gene (cytb) (~ 1, 134 bp) and three nuclear genes (ApoB, BRCA1, RAG1) (~ 2, 170 bp) for 132 samples from 57 localities. Molecular analyses identified at least 14 putative species that occur within two major well-supported groups in China. Polyphyletic C. wuchihensis appears to be composed of two putative species. Two subspecies, C. rapax rapax and C. rapax kurodai should be elevated to full species status. A phylogenetic tree based on mitochondrial gene from Asian Crocidura species showed that the C. rapax rapax is embedded within C. attenuata, making the latter a paraphyletic group. Three strongly supported undescribed species (C. sp.1, C. sp.2 and C. sp.3) are revealed from Zada County of Tibet (Western China), Hongjiang County of Hunan Province (Central China) and Dongyang County of Zhejiang Province (Eastern China), Motuo County of Tibet, respectively. The divergence time estimation suggested that China's Crocidura species began to diversify during the late Pliocene (3.66 Ma) and the Early Pleistocene (2.29 Ma), followed by a series of diversifications through the Pleistocene.

CONCLUSIONS

The cryptic diversity found in this study indicated that the number of species is strongly underestimated under the current taxonomy. We propose that the three undescribed species should be evaluated using extensive taxon sampling and comprehensive morphological and morphometric approaches. Climate change since the late Pliocene and the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau may result in the diversification and speciation of China's Crocidura species. In short, the underestimated diversity underlines the need for a taxonomic revision of Chinese Crocidura species.

Automated control algorithms for silicon photonic polarization receiver

We demonstrate greedy linear descent-based, basic gradient descent-based, two-point step size gradient descent-based, and two-stage optimization method-based automated control algorithms and examine their performance for use with a silicon photonic polarization receiver. With an active feedback loop control process, time-varying arbitrary polarization states from an optical fiber can be automatically adapted and stabilized to the transverse-electric (TE) mode of a single-mode silicon waveguide. Using the proposed control algorithms, we successfully realize automated adaptations for a 10 Gb/s on-off keying signal in the polarization receiver. Based on the large-signal measurement results, the control algorithms are examined and compared with regard to the iteration number and the output response. In addition, we implemented a long-duration experiment to track, adapt, and stabilize arbitrary input polarization states using the two-point step size gradient descent-based and two-stage optimization method-based control algorithms. The experimental results show that these control algorithms enable the polarization receiver to achieve real-time and continuous polarization management.

Targeted enrichment of 28Si thin films for quantum computing

We report on the growth of isotopically enriched ²⁸Si epitaxial films with precisely controlled enrichment levels, ranging from natural abundance ratio of 92.2% all the way to 99.99987% (0.83 × 10^-6 mol mol^{-1 29}Si). Isotopically enriched ²⁸Si is regarded as an ideal host material for semiconducting quantum computing due to the lack of ²⁹Si nuclear spins. However, the detailed mechanisms for quantum decoherence and the exact level of enrichment needed for quantum computing remain unknown. Here we use hyperthermal energy ion beam deposition with silane gas to deposit epitaxial ²⁸Si. We switch the mass selective magnetic field periodically to control the ²⁹Si concentration. We develop a model to predict the residual ²⁹Si isotope fraction based on deposition parameters and measure the deposited film using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The measured ²⁹Si concentrations show excellent agreement with the prediction, deviating on average by only 10%.

Time and laser ranging: a window of opportunity for geodesy, navigation and metrology

Recent progress in the domain of time and frequency (T/F) standards requires important improvements of existing time distribution links. Among these, the accuracy of time transfer is actually an important part of the concerns in order to establish and maintain time & space references from ground and/or space facilities. Several time transfers by laser link projects have been carried out over the past 10 years with numerous scientific and metrological objectives. Satellite Laser ranging (SLR) has proven to be a fundamental tool, offering a straightforward, conceptually simple, highly accurate and unambiguous observable. Depending on the mission, LR is used to transmit time over two-way or one-way distances from 500 to several millions of km. The following missions and their objectives employed this technique: European Laser Timing (ELT) at 450 km, Time Transfer by Laser Link (T2L2) at 1,336 km, Laser Time Transfer (LTT) at 36,000 km, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) at 350,000 km, and MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) at tens of million km. This article describes the synergy between SLR and T/F technologies developed on the ground and in space and as well as the state of the art of their exploitation. The performance and sources of limitation of such space missions are analyzed. It shows that current and future challenges lie in the improvement of the time accuracy and stability of the time for ground geodetic observatories. The role of the next generation of SLR systems is emphasized both in space and at ground level, from the point of view of GGOS and valuable exploitation of the synergy between time synchronization, ranging and data transfer.

[Effectiveness of snail control by immersion of molluscicides through tide diversion in marshlands: a field evaluation]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of snail control between immersion of molluscicides through tide diversion and mollusciciding by spraying in marshland areas.

METHODS

Immersion of 26% suspension concentrate of metaldehyde and niclosamide through tide diversion and spraying 26% suspension concentrate of metaldehyde and niclosamide alone were employed for snail control in two neighboring snail-breeding marshlands, and snails were surveyed before and after mollusciciding. The mortality of snails and the density of living snails were estimated.

RESULTS

The density of living snails reduced by 72.19% and 100.00% 1 and 2 years after immersion of 26% suspension concentrate of metaldehyde and niclosamide through tide diversion, and 5.93% and 18.15% 1 and 2 years after spraying 26% suspension concentrate of metaldehyde and niclosamide alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Immersion of 26% suspension concentrate of metaldehyde and niclosamide through tide diversion is significantly superior to spraying 26% suspension concentrate of metaldehyde and niclosamide along for snail control, and implementation of immersion of 26% suspension concentrate of metaldehyde and niclosamide through tide diversion for more than 2 successive years may achieve a higher snail control efficiency.

MiR-195 inhibits myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive rats by regulating TGFβ1-Smad3 signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of micro-ribonucleic acid-195 (miR-195) on myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive rats through the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1)-Smad3 signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were selected in this study to establish the animal model. The content of miR-195 in the model group and control group was measured, respectively. Arterial blood pressure, liver function and myocardial function in the two groups were detected and examined. Pathological changes in rat myocardial tissues were detected via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. After that, myocardial fibroblasts were collected and added with miRNA inhibitors and mimics to suppress and overexpress miR-195. Thereafter, Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were employed to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chek1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (important molecules for proliferation and differentiation of myocardial fibroblasts), as well as the related pathway TGFβ1-Smad3. Furthermore, the effects of miR-195 on myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive rats via the TGFβ1-Smad3 signaling pathway were comprehensively observed.

RESULTS

Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamic pyruvic aminotransferase (ALT) and creatine kinase (CK) levels in the SHR group were significantly higher than those of the normal group. Cardiac function examination showed that SHR group had significantly reduced fractional shortening (FS, %) and ejection fraction (EF, %) in comparison with the normal group. However, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDd) and left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESd) were markedly elevated in the SHR group. In addition, the miR-195 expression level was remarkably reduced in hypertensive rats. Histopathological changes in rat myocardial tissues were detected through HE staining. The results showed that the normal group had orderly arranged myocardial cells. However, SHR group showed disorderly arranged myocardial cells, thickened myocardial fibers and myocardial fibrosis. RT-PCR assay results revealed that the mRNA levels of Collagen, Chek1, α-SMA, TGFβ1 and Smad3 in rat myocardial fibroblasts were significantly reduced in Mimics group (p<0.05) and increased in Inhibitors group (p<0.05). Western blotting results demonstrated that, compared with the control group, the protein levels of α-SMA, TGFβ1 and Smad3 in rat myocardial cells decreased significantly in Mimics group (p<0.05). Opposite results were observed in Inhibitors group (p<0.05). The above results suggested that overexpression of miR-195 inhibited the expressions of TGFβ1-Smad3 signaling pathway and related molecules, further repressing myocardial fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-195 participates in the development and progression of myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive rats through the TGFβ1-Smad3 signaling pathway. Furthermore, this can inhibit the development of myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive rats and prevent myocardial diseases.

Early life famine exposure to the Great Chinese Famine in 1959-1961 and subsequent pregnancy loss: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relation between famine exposure in early life and subsequent pregnancy loss, including stillbirth, and spontaneous abortion in adulthood.

DESIGN

A population-based, partly ecological study.

SETTING AND POPULATION

Individual data of 58 601 females born around the time of the Great Chinese Famine in 1959-1961.

METHODS

Associations between the famine exposure in early life and pregnancy loss (stillbirth and spontaneous abortion) in adulthood were analysed using negative binomial regression, with the non-exposure group as reference, adjusting for region, highest education, monthly income, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, body mass index in 25-year-olds and metabolic equivalent. Further analyses were stratified by rural versus urban region.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Continuous variables of times of stillbirths and spontaneous abortions were used according to the individual self-reported reproductive history.

RESULTS

No association was found between famine exposure and spontaneous abortion. In contrast, females experiencing the famine during their prenatal period (incidence rate ratio = 1.15, 95% CI 1.00-1.33) or infant period (incidence rate ratio = 1.27, 95% CI 1.12-1.44) were more likely to report stillbirth in later adult life. Such an association appeared stronger in women living in rural regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Early life exposure of famine was associated with an increased risk of stillbirth but not spontaneous abortion in adulthood. The strength of such an association appeared stronger in rural areas. Given the high potential for unmeasured confounding, these associations must be interpreted with caution. Regarding the potential implication that undernutrition in the fetal period is related to reproductive outcome in adulthood, fetal nutritional supply may play an important role in human reproduction.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Exposure to famine in early life was associated with increased pregnancy loss in adulthood.

THERMOLUMINESCENCE OF NEWLY DEVELOPED HIGHLY SENSITIVE α-Al2O3:C BY THE VERTICAL GRADIENT FREEZING METHOD

A highly sensitive α-Al2O3:C crystal was directly grown by the vertical gradient freezing (VGF) method using Al2O3 and graphite powder as the raw materials. The main thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics of α-Al2O3:C detectors grown by the VGF method and TLD-500K detectors were compared. The α-Al2O3:C grown by the VGF method shows good dosimetric properties, such as high TL sensitivity (152 times higher than that of the TLD-100 at heating rate of 1°C/s), an extremely low residual signal of 0.03%, a minimum measurable dose of 0.12 μGy and an excellent linear response within the dose range studied from 1 μGy to 10 Gy. The α-Al2O3:C detectors grown by the VGF method have a higher sensitivity and a better linear response compared to the TLD-500K detectors. Both kinds of α-Al2O3:C can be used in an unannealed form and to measure the very low dose in environmental monitoring and personnel dosimetry.

A compact, ultra-high vacuum ion source for isotopically enriching and depositing 28Si thin films

An ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) compatible Penning ion source for growing pure, highly enriched ²⁸Si epitaxial thin films is presented. Enriched ²⁸Si is a critical material for quantum information due to the elimination of nuclear spins. In some cases, the material must be grown by low temperature molecular beam epitaxy, e.g., scanning tunneling microscopy hydrogen lithography-based devices. Traditional high-purity physical vapor methods typically deliver a very small fraction of source material onto the target substrate, making the cost for use with highly enriched source materials very high. Thus, directed beam sources provide an efficient alternative. This UHV Penning source uses all metal or ceramic parts and a removable electromagnet to allow bake-out. The source gas is a commercial (natural isotope abundance) silane gas (SiH₄), an inexpensive source material. High enrichment levels up to 99.999 87% (8.32 × 10^-7 mol/mol ²⁹Si) and high chemical purity of 99.965% are shown without postprocessing. We present and discuss the discharge properties of this new source, the ion mass spectrum when coupled to our mass filter, and the secondary ion mass spectroscopy of the grown films.

Do active assist transfer devices improve transfer safety for patients and caregivers in hospital and community settings? A scoping review

Background: Safe patient handling practices reduce injury risk for healthcare workers (HCW) and patients, but may conflict with goals of rehabilitation and person-centred care by minimizing (a) active participation in transfers and (b) autonomy and dignity while using mechanical lifts. Active assist transfer devices (AATDs) have potential to address both safety and support needs for appropriate clients.Purpose: What is the scope and nature of the evidence to support the use of AATD for improving transfer safety for patients and caregivers in both hospital and community settings?Methods: Scoping review of peer-reviewed and Gray literature, using systematic search strategies and multiple reviewers for identifying papers and extracting data.Findings: Twenty-nine peer-reviewed publications, and 12 other documents (policy, technical) were included in the review. Half focused on HCW safety in the hospital setting, with only seven addressing patient safety in the community. Generally, literature was of low quality, with no controlled trials to support the benefit of this equipment, and often represented a nursing care perspective. However, positive outcomes reported included safety, satisfaction, and equipment utilization.Implications: There is a need for rigorous research on use of AATDs in the community comparing rehabilitation outcomes across other forms of transfer equipment. Other important targets include injury risk for family caregivers, and potential to support early discharge. At present, utilization of AATDs within the rehabilitation field will continue to rely on best judgement of the care team. Implementation of AATDs should be considered a compelling target for practice-based research and quality improvements.Implications for rehabilitationThe use of active assist transfer devices is associated with their availability in the in-patient hospital setting.The use of active assist transfer devices is associated with positive patient experience, such as increased patient satisfaction and dignity. Improved patient adherence and cooperation with healthcare workers during mobilization and rehabilitation may follow.Most current evidence is focused on caregiver safety outcomes and is in support of decreased injury rates with increased active assist transfer device use. There is a limited amount of evidence focusing on the rehabilitation outcomes with active assist transfer device use.With current evidence, the use of AATDs should be used at the discretion of the care team.

Abstract P1-19-03: A phase I trial of sorafenib with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in breast cancer patients with brain metastases and a correlative study of FLT-PET brain imaging in patients receiving WBRT with or without sorafenib

Background: WBRT is a standard therapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients (pts) with brain metastases (BM), but disease progression in the brain is common. Sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with anti-VEGF activity, has demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy in MBC and radiosensitizing activity preclinically. [18F] 3'deoxy-3'-fluorothymidine (FLT) is a new PET tracer which correlates with cellular proliferation and may improve response assessment in the brain. Methods: A phase I trial of sorafenib with WBRT in MBC pts with BM was conducted using a 3+3 design. Sorafenib was given orally daily at the start of WBRT for a total of 21 days with 3 doses levels: 200mg, 400mg, and 600mg. The primary endpoints were to determine a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and to evaluate safety and toxicity. The secondary endpoint was central nervous system progression-free survival (CNS-PFS). Macdonald Criteria were used for response assessment with serial MRI brain imaging. Key eligibility criteria include MBC with new or progressive ≥ 1cm BM, ECOG PS 0-2, non-escalating corticosteroid dose, and no other concurrent anti-tumor therapy except trastuzumab. In parallel, we conducted a correlative FLT-PET imaging study (baseline, 7-10 days (FU1), and 10-12 weeks (FU2) after the WBRT) to assess radiographic changes among pts receiving WBRT + sorafenib and in a separate WBRT only cohort. FLT standard uptake value (SUV) and kinetic parameter data were obtained. Results: 13 pts were treated in the dose escalation phase and evaluable for dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). The median age was 56 years (range: 43-77). There were 4 HER2 positive (31%) and 3 triple negative (23%) pts. 2 pts had prior stereotactic radiosurgery. DLTs were: Grade (G) 4 increased lipase at 200mg (1 pt) and G3 rash at 400mg (3 pts) level. MTD was determined to be 200mg. 10 pts were evaluable for response (at least 1 follow up brain imaging). The overall response rate was 70%: 4 complete responses (CR) + 3 partial responses. All 13 pts were evaluated for CNS PFS with a median follow up of 29.7 months (min 19.6, max 57.4mo). Median CNS-PFS was 8.2 months (95%CI: 3.4-31.8). Median OS was 15.4 months (95% CI: 3.4-NR). A total of 10 pts with WBRT and sorafenib and 5 pts with WBRT only were enrolled in the FLT-PET study: all 15 pts had baseline FLT PET, 14 with FU1, and 9 with FU2. 55 baseline lesions, 38 at FU1 and 15 at FU2 were observed and analyzed. All lesions with FLT uptake had MRI correlates. Decline in average SUVmax of ≥25% was seen in 9/10 (90%) of WBRT+sorafenib and 2/4(50%) of WBRT only pts at FU1. A complete disappearance of FLT uptake was noted in 1 pt at FU1 and 2 more pts at FU2. Conclusions: Concurrent WBRT with sorafenib appears safe at 200mg daily dose with a higher rate of CR compared to historical WBRT data. We are currently enrolling patients in the safety-expansion cohort. This combination should be considered for further efficacy evaluation. Additional analysis of FLT-PET as a complementary imaging modality to MRI is currently ongoing. Clinical trial registry: NCT01724606 and NCT01621906. Support: Bayer, Susan G Komen, ASCO Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award

Citation Format: Morikawa A, Jhaveri K, Grkovski M, Tang K, Humm JL, Holodny A, Beal K, Schoder H, Seidman AD. A phase I trial of sorafenib with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in breast cancer patients with brain metastases and a correlative study of FLT-PET brain imaging in patients receiving WBRT with or without sorafenib [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-19-03.

[A mini-incision on the anterior hip for pediatric femur neck fractures of type Delbet Ⅱ]

Objective: To investigate the early clinical outcomes of hip anterior short incision and open reduction and internal fixation for the treatment of children with Delbet Ⅱ femoral neck fracture. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 12 children with DelbetⅡ femoral neck fractures was performed with the anterior short incision approach at Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic, Children's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University from January 2014 to August 2016. There were 7 males and 5 females including 8 cases at left side and 4 cases at right side,aged (11.5±0.8) years (range: 8-14 years).Patients underwent surgery in (12.0±0.9) hours (range: 6-20 hours) after the injury. Displaced fractures were treated by open reduction if closed reduction failed.The surgical incision was performed with the anterior inferior iliac spine centered on, extending along the groin crease, and the length was 3 to 4 cm. The interval between the sartorius and the tensor fascia latae was applied, and the direct and indirect head of rectus femoris were resected to visualize the hip joint capsule. T-shaped incision was made in the capsule. After the reduction was obtained, two or three compression canulated screws were used to fix the fracture site. The healing time, complications and corresponding record outcome by X-ray and clinical examination were recorded. At the latest follow-up,the results were analyzed using the Ratliff criteria and clinical outcomes were assessed by pain, restrictive hip movement, normal activity or the avoidance of games, and the femoral neck in the radiograph. Results: Twelve patients had been followed-up for (30.0±4.1)months(range: 24-36 months). X-ray showed the fractures' healing time was (8.0±0.4) weeks(range: 7-9 weeks). Ten of the 12 fractures healed after one operation and were associated with no evidence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. One case occurred premature physeal closure. There were no cases with fracture relocation, coaxvara, delayed union and nonunion or any significant postoperative complications. There was no infection, flexible internal fixation or ruptures. According to Ratliff grade, 9 cases of 12 patients were fine and 3 cases was acceptable. Conclusions: Satisfactory short-term effects can be achieved by a mini-incision on the anterior hip for Delbet Ⅱ pediatric femur neck fractures. The anterior incision has the advantage of less trauma, smaller incision scar, better fracture reduction and fixation, and less wound complications.

AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR THE COMPUTERISED ANALYSIS OF GR-200A LiF:Mg,Cu,P TL SIGNALS

The profile of the residual signals of LiF:Mg,Cu,P within the region of dosimetric interest was approximated by a cubic curve. The conventional analysis, the GCA developed in CIEMAT and the GCA developed in this laboratory were compared. For GCA developed in this laboratory, the 5 μGy test dose could be well measured even after measurement at 10 mGy and obviously at lower doses. The 20 μGy test dose could be well measured even after measurement at 50 mGy. The residual signals caused by previous irradiations in the case of using only reader anneal can be more effectively eliminated by GCA developed in this laboratory than GCA developed in CIEMAT. The program developed in this laboratory, effectively estimating the contribution of the residual signals caused by previous irradiations, permits work to be done using only reader anneal in a dose range of more than three orders of magnitude.

PROPERTIES OF THERMOLUMINESCENT CARDS WITH HIGH SENSITIVE GR-200A LiF:Mg,Cu, P DETECTORS FOR HARSHAW AUTOMATIC READER

New DML TL cards with GR-200A detectors were developed. The TL sensitivity remains stable and the detectors were sealed firmly during the encapsulation process. The sensitivity, detection threshold, residual signal, reusability, dose response and Teflon capsule resistance of DML cards with two GR-200A detectors with diameter 3.6 mm and thickness 0.38 mm placed in positions 2 and 3 were evaluated. The detection thresholds were 0.61 μSv for the detector at position 2 and 1.15 μSv for the detector at position 3. The residual signals were 0.40% for the detector at position 2 and 0.57% for the detector at position 3. The 10 repeated readings of the same 10 irradiated cards were found within 1% for the two detectors on the cards. The DML cards demonstrate very high sensitivity, low background and good stability and can be used for very low dose ranges in personnel dosimetry and in environmental monitoring.