Ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is a non-invasive and rapid method that might be helpful in the identification of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). The use of an ONSD greater than 5 mm on ultrasound as an indicator of increased ICP in a Caucasian population has been studied. However, the cut-off point of this predictor in Chinese patients has not been established. Thus, we conducted this study to identify the ONSD criterion for the detection of elevated opening pressure on lumbar puncture (LP) in a Chinese population and to investigate the influencing factors. This study was a blind cross-sectional study. Patients who presented with suspected increased ICP were included. The opening pressure on LP of each participant was confirmed. We analyzed the clinical differences between the groups of patients with abnormal and normal opening pressures on LP. A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to determine the ONSD cut-off point for the identification of abnormal opening pressure on LP. In total, 279 patients were recruited, and 101 patients presented with elevated opening pressure on LP. ONSD was a significant independent predictor of elevated opening pressure on LP (p<0.001). However, no statistical significance was observed regarding the factors that might have affected this relationship including gender, age, body mass index, waistline, head circumference, hypertension and pathological subtype. The ONSD cut-off point for the identification of elevated opening pressure on LP was 4.1 mm; this cut-off yielded a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 92%. ONSD is a strong and accurate predictor of elevated opening pressure on LP. The cut-off point of this predictor in a Chinese population was remarkably lower than that found in a Caucasian population. Thus, ethnic differences should be noted when using the ONSD as an indicator of increased ICP.

Objective: A large number of studies have shown the adverse neonatal outcomes of maternal psychological ill health. Given the potentially high prevalence of antenatal anxiety and few studies performed among Chinese people, the authors wanted to investigate the prevalence of antenatal anxiety and associated factors among pregnant women and to provide scientific basis to reduce prenatal anxiety effectively. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Changchun Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital from January 2015 to march 2015, with 467 participants of at least 38 weeks’ gestation enrolled. Antenatal anxiety was measured using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). χ2 test and logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate the association of related factors of antenatal anxiety. Results: Among the 467 participants, the prevalence of antenatal anxiety was 20.6% (96 of 467). After adjustment for women’s socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., area, age, household income), multivariate logistical regression analysis revealed that antenatal anxiety showed significant relationship with education level lower than middle school (years ≤ 9), expected natural delivery, anemia during pregnancy, pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, disharmony in family relationship and life satisfaction. Conclusions: It is important to prevent or reduce antenatal anxiety from occurring by improving the health status of pregnant women and strengthening prenatal-related education and mental intervention.

A multilayered glucose biosensor via sequential deposition of Prussian blue (PB) nanoclusters and enzyme-immobilized poly(toluidine blue) films was constructed on a bare Au electrode using electrochemical methods. The whole configuration of the present biosensor can be considered as an integration of several independent hydrogen peroxide sensing elements. In each sensing element, the poly(toluidine blue) film functioned as both the supporting matrix for the glucose oxidase immobilization and the inhibitor for the diffusion of interferences, such as ascorbic acid and uric acid. Meanwhile, the deposited Prussian blue nanocluster layers acts as a catalyst for the electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxide formed from enzymatic reaction. Performance of the whole multilayer configuration can be tailored by artificially arranging the sensing elements assembled on the electrode. Under optimal conditions, the biosensors exhibit a linear relationship in the range of 1 x 10(-4) to 1 x 10(-2) mol/L with the detection limit down to 10(-5) mol/L. A rapid response for glucose could be achieved in less than 3 s. For 1 mM glucose, 0.5 mM acetaminophen, 0.2 mM uric acid, and 0.1 mM ascorbic acid have no obvious interferences (<5%) for glucose detection at an optimized detection potential. The present multilayered glucose biosensor with a high selectivity and sensitivity is promising for practical applications.

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