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Postpartum anemia and iron deficiency are associated with postpartum depression. This study investigated the association between a low mean corpuscular volume (MCV) without anemia (which implies early-stage iron deficiency) in early pregnancy and perinatal mental health outcomes. The fixed data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), a Japanese nationwide birth cohort, were used. Perinatal mental health was assessed using the Kessler 6-item psychological distress scale (K6) in mid-pregnancy and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 1- and 6-months postpartum. Among the 3635 women with MCVs <85 fL in early pregnancy, the proportions of women with K6 scores ≥13 in mid-pregnancy and EPDS scores ≥9 at 1- and 6-months postpartum were 2.7 %, 12.8 %, and 9.9 %, respectively, compared with the 33,242 women with MCVs ≥85 fL at 1.9 %, 11.9 %, and 9.0 %, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that an MCV <85 in early pregnancy was associated with a K6 score ≥ 13 in mid-pregnancy and an EPDS score ≥ 9 at 1- and 6-months postpartum (adjusted odds ratio (95 % confidence interval): 1.48 (1.16–1.87), 1.14 (1.01–1.28), and 1.09 (0.95–1.24), respectively). Low MCV values do not necessarily represent iron deficiency. Ferritin, currently the best indicator of iron deficiency, was not measured in the JECS. This study results suggest that a low MCV without anemia in early pregnancy is associated with a slightly increased risk of perinatal mental health deterioration. • MCV in early pregnancy and perinatal mental health was examined in a large cohort. • Low MCV without anemia in early pregnancy slightly declines perinatal mental health. • Iron deficiency should be managed from preconception to ensure maternal mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose As urea is one of the natural moisturizing factor ( NMF) components in the stratum corneum, it has been used in topical products to improve skin conditions. However, the penetration behavior of urea in the skin after application of urea-containing cream has not been determined as there has been no technique with which to measure the urea content in the skin in vivo non-invasively. We therefore applied Raman spectroscopy to evaluate the depth profile of urea content in the skin. We investigated changes in depth profiles of two forms of urea to evaluate the penetration behavior of urea after application of urea-containing cream. Methods Commercially available moisturizing creams F and R in quantities of 2.2-mg/cm2 and containing 20% (w/w) urea were applied to volar forearm skin of six Japanese subjects. Raman spectra of the skin were measured at 2-μm intervals from the skin surface toward the interior using a confocal Raman spectrometer (model 3510 SCA) before and 15, 60, and 120 min after the application of the creams. The amounts of the two forms of urea, urea in water solution and urea in a solid state, were calculated by adding the spectra of solid urea and the cream base to a previously reported algorithm including the spectrum of urea in water solution. Results The characteristic band of urea in water solution was observed at approximately 1004/cm and that of the solid state at approximately 1010/cm in the Raman spectra of the skin after application of either cream. There was more urea in water solution form in the area where cream F was applied than in the area where cream R was applied. There was more urea in a solid state in the area where cream R was applied than in the area where cream F was applied at all depths and measurement times. In particular, there was significantly more urea in a solid state below a depth of 2 μm in the area where cream R was applied than in the area where cream F was applied 15 min after application. Conclusion The present study demonstrated that we can measure both urea forms in the skin after the application of urea-containing creams. The proposed technique would be useful in the evaluation of characteristics of the penetration behavior of urea in the skin after the application of various urea-containing moisturizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose We investigate the measurement sensitivity for the water content distribution in Near-infrared (NIR) imaging ranging up to 2 μm. Methods To evaluate the sensitivity, our attention is focused to the light penetration depth in the skin tissue because the thickness of a layer where the water content can be varied is very thin and deep light penetration decreases the signal variation. The light penetration depths in the wavelengths of 1300, 1450, and 1920 nm are calculated theoretically based on the Monte Carlo light transport simulation. Results It is clarified that the wavelength of 1920 nm gives the smallest penetration depth. A NIR imaging experiment is demonstrated to verify the difference of imaging sensitivity. The experiment result shows that the NIR image taken at 1920 nm gives the most sensitive measurement of the water content distribution in skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Surface hardening of austenitic stainless steels without degradation of corrosion resistance has been a subject of continuing interest in the field of surface engineering technology. This paper presents a method, using low-temperature plasma-carburized processing, to produce a hard and corrosion-resistant layer for austenitic stainless steels. The process is based on the diffusion of carbon and/or nitrogen from the surface into the austenitic substrate without forming any carbides or nitrides. The resultant carburized and/or nitrided surface layer shows highly superior saturation of carbon or nitrogen. It is called expanded austenite or S-phase. Important details of the S-phase have not been revealed yet, e.g., the formation of super saturated solid solution at constant processing temperature. For this study, austenitic stainless steel with 3 mass% copper was selected for use as a substrate of low-temperature carburizing. Actually, Cu shows no tendency for formation of carbides in steel. Samples were plasma-carburized using DC plasma apparatus under 667 Pa of mixed gas flow of 5% CH4 +45% H2 +50% Ar at 673 K or 723 K for various durations. The treated S-phase of steel with copper was compared to those of 304 steel and 316, 317 steels containing molybdenum. Results show that copper addition, just as molybdenum addition, similarly enhances carbon super saturation and the surface-layer hardness. Furthermore, the carburized layer depth was enhanced with copper addition as well as Mo addition. The effects of copper and molybdenum are discussed with measurements of the lattice constants in consideration of the size effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new method has been developed by us to observe the movements of the abomasum by using a magnet and digital magnetometer. Four cows with left displacement of the abomasum underwent conventional correction by rolling without tacking. A doughnut-type magnet was sutured to the pyloric region in a routine operation. The same was done in three control cows. The position of the pyloric region was observed with a digital magnetometer from outside the cow's body. The magnets in the pyloric region of the control cows were located at the right side of the abdominal cavity at 10-30 cm anterior to the udder base, and moved slightly in various directions within the span of a day. On the other hand, the magnets in the pyloric region of cows with abomasal displacement moved widely in the abdominal cavity from the normal right side to the abnormal left front side. A large movement of the magnet from the normal right side to the abnormal left side of the abdominal cavity was observed within 12 h of the onset of abomasal displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neiguan acupuncture point (EH-6) of the heart meridian is often used for circulatory disorders. To clarify this effect, we measured coronary diameters in patients with angina pectoris following acupuncture stimulation using cardioangiography. Two kinds of acupuncture stimulation, the leaving needle (LN) and the sparrow pecking method (SPM), were employed for this study. No significant differences were found between LN and SPM. Concerning the pattern of coronary reaction, coronary constriction following acupuncture showed a relationship to patients with vasospastic angina. Coronary dilation following acupuncture showed a relationship to patients with Syndrome X. The mean dilatation with acupuncture was 68.8% of that caused by isosorbide dinitrate. These findings may help to clarify the mechanism of acupuncture treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neiguan acupuncture point (EH-6) of the heart meridian is often used for circulatory disorders. To clarify this effect, we measured coronary diameters in patients with angina pectoris following acupuncture stimulation using cardioangiography. Two kinds of acupuncture stimulation, the leaving needle (LN) and the sparrow pecking method (SPM), were employed for this study. No significant differences were found between LN and SPM. Concerning the pattern of coronary reaction, coronary constriction following acupuncture showed a relationship to patients with vasospastic angina. Coronary dilation following acupuncture showed a relationship to patients with Syndrome X. The mean dilatation with acupuncture was 68.8% of that caused by isosorbide dinitrate. These findings may help to clarify the mechanism of acupuncture treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose Near-infrared ( NIR) light with high water absorption enables us to visualize the water content distribution appeared in the superficial skin layer. The light penetration depth with the wavelength of 1920 nm is almost 100 μm from the skin surface. Thus, the water distribution in the stratum corneum can be effectively imaged by detecting the wavelength band around 1920 nm. The aim of this article was to measure the time-lapse behavior of the tiny droplet of the moisturizer spreading on the skin surface by imaging in 1920 nm wavelength band for investigating the correlation with the traditional index of the skin condition such as the water content and transepidermal water loss ( TEWL). Methods Experiment is performed with three moisturizer products and seven volunteer subjects. The NIR image is acquired by an originally designed imaging scope equipped with the white light of the strong brightness [super continuum (SC) light], the bandpass filter with the center wavelength of 1920 nm, and the NIR image sensor. A tiny droplet of the moisturizer is put on the surface of the skin and the time-lapse images are saved. Each acquired image is analyzed from a view point of the droplet area and elapsed time for absorption into the skin. The water content and TEWL of all subjects are measured by the conventional electrical method for investigating the relationship with the measured droplet dynamics parameters. Results Elapsed time for moisturizer droplet to be absorbed into the skin, the droplet area just before absorption for three moisturizer products, skin water contents, and TEWL for seven subjects were measured and correlation coefficients for each parameters were calculated. It was found that the skin with higher water contents or lower TEWL absorbed the moisturizer faster and spreads moisturizer wider. Also absorption and spreading speed depend on moisturizer property (moisturizing or fresh) which is originated from the moisturizer constituents. Conclusion The correlation values between the moisturizer dynamics on the skin surface and the traditional index of the skin property were clarified. It was found that the skin with the high water content or low TEWL absorbs the moisturizer droplet fast. The spreading area depends not only on the skin property but on the constituents of the moisturizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative hydrogen ions are produced in the apertures of a plasma grid made of aluminum under the irradiation of positive ions, generating an ionic plasma consisting of positive and negative ions. The saturation current ratio obtained using a Langmuir probe reflects the existence ratio of electrons and is found to increase in connection with the diffusion of the ionic plasma. The local increment of the current ratio suggests the collapse of negative ions and the replacement of detached electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a hydrogen ionic plasma with relatively low residual fractional electron concentration (ne/n+ ∼ 10−2) is generated using an aluminum plasma grid for the production of negative hydrogen ions and a control grid for negative ion extraction and electron removal. The ionic plasma is composed of negative and positive ions, containing molecular ions. Negative ions are in part produced using positive ions with several electron volts. A positive ion beam with 50 eV or more contributes to increase the density of the ionic plasma. The positive ion beam energy and the control grid bias voltage are tuned in such a way that a high-density ionic plasma is maintained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present the experimental results of the loss of the high temperature superconducting (HTS) tape in AC and DC mixed electro-magnetic condition. The DC magnetic field is not of concern, because its influence parallels the critical current variation. The electro-magnetic environment consists of the DC offset transport current, the AC transport current and the AC magnetic field. The experimental results described were measured by the electric and calorimetric methods in the same section, and we establish the feasibility of measuring the loss using the electric method in AC and DC mixed electro-magnetic conditions. The experimental results show the loss components of the joule loss, AC transport current loss and magnetization loss. DC offset current affects the total loss characteristic in a DC and AC mixed electro-magnetic condition. Especially, when the peak transport current exceeds the critical current, the losses are increased, because there is a period when the current density is greater than the critical current density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional magnetophotonic crystal (1-D MPC) film composed of thin rare-earth iron garnet, SiO2 and Ta2O5 films simultaneously exhibits very high optical transmittance and Faraday rotation. We investigated the structure of 1-D MPC, which by theoretical calculation has an optical isolation performance favorable from an industrial perspective. Furthermore, we considered, theoretically, whether it could be used as an optical isolator if a film had absorption. As a result, the structure of 1-D MPC film with satisfactory optical isolation has an industrially favorable structure by using a high refractive index material such as Si. It was also found that if the optical absorption (extinction coefficient κ) of a film was less than 0.000001, it did not affect the characteristics. This makes it very attractive for actual optical isolator fabrications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effects of CT-II, extract of Nomame Herba, on lipase activity in vitro and on obesity in rats fed a high-fat diet in vivo. DESIGN: The assay for the inhibitory effect of CT-II on lipase activity was performed by measuring released free fatty acids after the incubation of the medium with CT-II, porcine pancreatic lipase and triolein (experiment 1). In vivo experiments, lean rats or obese rats (570-718g) were fed a high-fat diet containing 60% fat with or without CT-II for 8 weeks (experiment 2), for 14 days (experiment 3) or for 12 weeks (experiment 4), respectively. MEASUREMENT: The time course of body weight, food intake, organ weight (parametrial fat, liver, heart and kidney) and plasma parameters (triglyceride, total cholesterol, glucose, AST, ALT and insulin), fecal output of total fat and total cholesterol were measured. Hepatic histological examinations were also performed. RESULTS: CT-II inhibited the porcine lipase activity dose-dependently in vitro (experiment 1). Body and liver weight were reduced and hepatic histological examination showed an amelioration of fatty liver in CT II treated animals (experiment 2). CT-II significantly inhibited body weight gain and plasma triglyceride elevation in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting food intake in lean rats fed the high-fat diet. Elevated plasma AST and ALT were also decreased (experiment 3). When obese rats fed the high-fat diet were treated with CT-II for up to 6 months, body weight was initially reduced and thereafter weight gain was significantly suppressed. Total body fat was also significantly reduced and significant reduction of plasma AST and ALT was observed (experiment 4). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that the lipase inhibitor CT-II is effective in preventing and ameliorating obesity, fatty liver and hypertriglyceridemia in rats fed a high-fat diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study which investigated the possibility of the application of one-dimensional magnetophotonic crystal film to optical isolator devices. Methods; Results; Discussion.