Search

Coherent double neutral-pion photoproduction on the deuteron, γd→π0π0d, has been experimentally studied at incident photon energies ranging from 0.75 to 1.15 GeV. The total cross section as a function of the γd center-of-mass energy shows resonance-like behavior, which peaks at approximately 2.47 and 2.63 GeV. The measured angular distribution of deuteron emission is rather flat, which cannot be reproduced by the kinematics of quasi-free π0π0 production with deuteron coalescence. In π0d invariant-mass distributions, a clear peak is observed at 2.14±0.01 GeV/c2 with a width of 0.09±0.01 GeV/c2. The spin-parity of this state is restricted to 1+, 2+ or 3− from the angular distributions of the two π0s. The present work shows strong evidence for the existence of an isovector dibaryon resonance with a mass of 2.14 GeV/c2. The 2+ assignment is consistent with the theoretically predicted D12 state, and also with the energy dependence of the πd partial-wave amplitude P23 for the π±d→π±d and π+d→pp reactions. Keywords: Coherent meson photoproduction, Dibaryon resonance

The total cross sections were measured for coherent double neutral-pion photoproduction on the deuteron at incident energies below 0.9 GeV for the first time. No clear resonance-like behavior is observed in the excitation function for Wγd=2.38–2.61 GeV, where the d⁎(2380) dibaryon resonance observed at COSY is expected to appear. The measured excitation function is consistent with the existing theoretical calculation for this reaction. The upper limit of the total cross section is found to be 0.034 μb for the dibaryon resonance at Wγd=2.37 GeV (90% confidence level) in the γd→π0π0d reaction.

Background: Elective cesarean sections (ECSs) for early-term pregnancies at 37 weeks of gestational age (GA) aim to reduce the risk of emergency cesarean sections due to the onset of labor or rupture of membranes. However, resultant increases in neonatal respiratory disorders, including transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) have been observed. However, few studies have elucidated the associated risk factors. Consequently, we aimed to determine whether differences existed in the clinical outcomes between neonates delivered via ECS at 37 weeks and those delivered at ≥ 38 weeks of GA., Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 259 neonates born via ECS at Tottori University Hospital, between January 2013 and December 2019, with birthweights ≥ 2500 g and GAs > 37 weeks. The neonates were categorized into two cohorts: births at 37 and at ≥ 38 weeks of GA (37-week and 38-week cohorts). The principal clinical outcomes included the appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration (Apgar) scores, need for positive-pressure ventilation, incidence of TTN, and length of hospital stay., Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in the indications for ECS, sex, or birthweight between the two cohorts. The 37-week cohort exhibited a lower 1-min Apgar score than did the 38-week cohort, with no statistically significant differences between the two cohorts, at 5 min. Statistically significant differences were not observed in the need for positive-pressure ventilation during initial resuscitation or length of hospital stay for patients with TTN between the two cohorts. Notably, the 37-week cohort exhibited a significantly higher incidence of TTN than did the 38-week cohort., Conclusion: ECSs at 37 weeks of GA exhibited an increased risk of TTN than ECSs at ≥ 38 weeks of GA. Strategic neonatal care and adequate preparation can mitigate this risk without affecting the length of hospital stay., (©2024 Tottori University Medical Press.)

The number of women in the workforce is increasing because promoting their participation has become part of the country's growth strategy. On the other hand, maintaining the population is also a major issue. It is necessary to consider what kind of education should be provided to trainee pharmacists as people who are personally involved, and what kind of education is necessary for them as future medical professionals. The Basic Law for Child and Maternal Health and Child Development has been enacted, and the concept of preconception care is taking root. Health education for young people is of utmost importance to ensure their health and well-being in the future. We need to provide appropriate education to pharmacists as family pharmacists, as leaders of health support pharmacies, and as medical professionals who support women's health in the community. Because women's health is to be comprehensively supported by society including the community, family, workplace, and school, it seems that education on women's reproductive and general health will become more important in the future, in universities and especially schools of pharmacy.

The direct simultaneous detection of electron and positron bunch signals was successfully performed for the first time with wideband pickups and a detection system at the positron capture section of the SuperKEKB factory. The time interval between the electron and positron bunches, their bunch lengths, and bunch intensities depending on the phase of accelerating structures were measured to investigate their capture process and to maximally optimize the positron intensity. The results show that the time intervals were measured in the range of 135-265 ps, and the line-order switch of the electron and positron bunches in the axial direction was clearly observed as a function of the phase. The positron (electron) intensity was maximized at the optimal phase (180[Formula: see text] shifted from the optimum). These series of measurements have never been experimentally conducted so far. It is demonstrated that the positron intensity can be systematically optimized with this system as functions of beam parameters in multidimensional spaces for any positron capture section.

Background: Optimum timing of umbilical cord clamping has not been established in preterm infants., Objectives: We compared the short- and long-term effects of umbilical cord milking (UCM) versus delayed cord clamping (DCC) on infants born at less than 37 weeks of gestation., Search Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" statement. We searched CINAHL, CENTRAL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs)., Selection Criteria: We included individual and clustered RCTs comparing UCM to DCC for infants born before 37 weeks of gestation., Data Collection and Analysis: Four reviewers independently assessed trial quality and eligibility for inclusion., Main Results: Two trials (255 preterm infants, 23 0/7 to 32 6/7 weeks of gestation) were included in the analysis. UCM was associated with fewer intraventricular hemorrhages (IVHs) (two trials, 255 infants; relative risk [RR] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20 to 0.98, low quality of evidence) and UCM was an increased proportion of infants with a Bayley score at 2 years of age (two trials, 174 infants; Cognitive: RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.26, Language: RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.49, low quality of evidence) compared to DCC., Conclusions: UCM wasn't reduced in-hospital mortality and need for transfusion compared to DCC. But our study suggests that UCM may lower the risk of IVH and improve certain neurodevelopmental outcomes compared to DCC in preterm infants., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Context: Hypoglycemia is the most common metabolic problem among small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates. However, the pathological mechanism and insulin/ insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling axis in neonates remain unknown., Objective: To determine the insulin/IGF axis in neonates, we analyzed the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of insulin/IGF signaling in fetal umbilical cord blood., Setting: The Perinatal Medical Center of Tottori University Hospital., Participants: Fifty-two [42 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and 10 SGA] neonates., Interventions: Immediately collected cord blood was placed into a PAXgene Blood RNA Tube. Total RNA from the blood was purified using reagents provided in the PAXgene Blood RNA Kit within 4 days, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed., Main Outcome Measure: Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was applied to evaluate the mRNA expression of insulin receptor ( INSR ), IGF-I receptor ( IGF1R ), insulin receptor substrate 1 ( IRS1 ), IRS2 , and glucose transporters ( SLC2A2 and SLC2A4 ). β-Actin was used as a control gene., Results: Serum glucose and IGF-I levels in SGA neonates were significantly lower. The cord serum insulin levels were similar between AGA and SGA neonates. The IRS2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in SGA than in AGA neonates ( P < 0.05). The IRS2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in hypoglycemic SGA neonates than in normoglycemic SGA neonates., Conclusions: We determined that intrauterine growth restriction induces increased IRS2 mRNA expression in cord blood, without hyperinsulinemia. The increased expression of IRS2 mRNA might be associated with abnormal glucose metabolism in SGA neonates. Our findings might lead to the elucidation of abnormal glucose metabolism in SGA neonates.

The goals of the osteoporosis liaison service are to prevent the disease more effectively, to diagnose it properly and to provide a higher quality treatment for it as well as to increase healthy life- span and to minimize the gap in health status by offering raising awareness activities. Pharmacist can play an important role in achieving both of goals. "The family pharmacist system", which was introduced by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Law(Yakkiho)in 2016, is expected to contribute to achieve the former goal while "Health supporting pharmacy" is expected to strive for the latter goal. It is also necessary to build a patient-centered collaborative relationship between hospital pharmacists and those of insurance pharmacy by sharing the information on the patients' medication. In that sense, it seems that osteoporosis managers who have a license for a pharmacist can play a significant role as a collaboration hub in the service and they can be expected to help prevent osteoporosis bone fracture and repeated fracture by supporting them in life in the community. It seems their role as a connector among all pharmacists will be more important.

Ribosomal DNA region sequences (partial 18S, 28S and complete ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2) of the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) were obtained from DNA extracted directly from wood pieces collected from wilted pine trees throughout the Kyushu and Okinawa islands, Japan. Either a 2569bp or 2573bp sequence was obtained from 88 of 143 samples. Together with the 45 rDNA sequences of pinewood nematode isolates previously reported, there were eight single nucleotide polymorphisms and two indels of two bases. Based on these mutations, nine haplotypes were estimated. The haplotype frequencies differed among regions in Kyushu island (northwest, northeast and center, southeast, and southwest), and the distribution was consistent with the invasion and spreading routes of the pinewood nematode previously estimated from past records of pine wilt and wood importation. There was no significant difference in haplotype frequencies among the collection sites on Okinawa island.