Development of Neutron Interferometer Using Multilayer Mirrors and Measurements of Neutron-Nuclear Scattering Length with Pulsed Neutron Source.

This study entailed the successful deployment of a novel neutron interferometer that utilizes multilayer mirrors. The apparatus facilitates a precise evaluation of the wavelength dependence of interference fringes utilizing a pulsed neutron source. Our interferometer achieved an impressive precision of 0.02 rad within a 20-min recording time. Compared to systems using silicon crystals, the measurement sensitivity was maintained even when using a simplified disturbance suppressor. By segregating beam paths entirely, we achieved successful measurements of neutron-nuclear scattering lengths across various samples. The values measured for Si, Al, and Ti were in agreement with those found in the literature, while V showed a disparity of 45%. This discrepancy may be attributable to impurities encountered in previous investigations. The accuracy of measurements can be enhanced further by mitigating systematic uncertainties that are associated with neutron wavelength, sample impurity, and thickness. This novel neutron interferometer enables us to measure fundamental parameters, such as the neutron-nuclear scattering length of materials, with a precision that surpasses that of conventional interferometers.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease during early pregnancy.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is rare during pregnancy. It is characterized by necrotizing lymphadenitis and often occurs in young Asian women. We report a case of KFD during pregnancy, which was difficult to diagnose. A 37-year-old pregnant female (gestational week [GW] 7+5) was admitted to our hospital because of hyperemesis gravidarum. On the eighth day of hospitalization (GW 8+6), she suddenly developed a fever (38.0°C) with skin rash and posterior pharynx redness. Blood tests showed pancytopenia and abnormal liver function. The patient was misdiagnosed with severe Epstein-Barr virus infection and administered with prednisolone. Subsequently, cervical lymphadenopathy was observed, and biopsy results led to the diagnosis of KFD. Thereafter, her symptoms improved, and she was discharged at GW 13+4. KFD must be included as a differential diagnosis for patients with fever, abnormal liver function, and pancytopenia during pregnancy.

Cephalic version by postural management in the lateral position without the knee-chest position for primiparous breech presentation: A retrospective cohort study.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of postural management in the lateral position for primiparous breech presentation. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single institution from January 2020 through December 2020. Participants were singleton primiparous pregnant women diagnosed with breech presentation between 28 + 0 and 29 + 6 weeks of gestation. The exclusion criteria were scheduled cesarean delivery, uterine malformation, transverse position, and scheduled delivery at another hospital. A doctor instructed the women in the intervention group to lie on their right sides several times a day if the fetal back was on the left side or lie on their left sides if the fetal back was on the right side. The knee-chest position and other methods were not recommended. The control group received expectant management care. The primary endpoint was the percentage of fetuses in a cephalic presentation 2 weeks later. RESULTS: Of the 56 women included in the study, 17 women were instructed to lie in the lateral position, and 39 women received expectant management care only. After 2 weeks, women who were instructed to lie in lateral position had a higher rate of fetal cephalic version than the control group (82.4% [14/17] vs. 43.6% [17/39], p = 0.017). No study participants experienced adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Two weeks of postural management in the lateral position without the knee-chest position significantly reduced the rate of primiparous breech presentation in the third trimester of pregnancy.

The Expression of MAS1, an Angiotensin (1-7) Receptor, in the Eutopic Proliferative Endometria of Endometriosis Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We demonstrated that AT1 and AT2 are expressed and both pathways balance the renin-angiotensin system in endometriosis. MAS1, a specific receptor of angiotensin (1-7), opposes AT1 pathway-associated tissue remodelling. It is not known whether MAS1 has an effect on the pathogenesis of endometriosis or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ovarian endometriotic tissues (endo-Ov) and eutopic endometrial tissues (endo-Em) were obtained from 29 patients with endometrial cysts. Normal endometrial tissues (cont-Em) were obtained from patients without endometriosis. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for MAS1, AT1 and AT2 in the endometriosis-associated tissues. The mRNA levels of these receptors were examined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. RESULTS: MAS1 was immune-positive at the apical side of the glandular epithelium in the endometriotic lesions. The MAS1 mRNA levels in endo-Ov were increased significantly, irrespective of the menstrual cycle phase. The MAS1 mRNA levels were significantly higher in the proliferative-tissues of the endometriosis patients than in those of the controls. The ratio of the MAS1 to the AT1 mRNA in the proliferative tissues was increased predominantly in the endometriosis patients compared with that in the controls. CONCLUSION: High MAS1 expression in the endometrium might promote the initiation of endometriosis via migration of proliferative tissue.

Safety of lipid emulsion in very low-birthweight infants according to cytokine level.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to verify whether lipid emulsion treatment aggravates infection and inflammation in very low-birthweight (VLBW) infants. STUDY DESIGN: Very low-birthweight (<1500 g) infants born at <32 weeks gestational age between October 2013 and October 2014 at Dokkyo Medical University Hospital (Mibu, Tochigi, Japan) were treated with or without i.v. nutrition with a lipid emulsion. Infants were excluded who had congenital abnormalities, could not receive i.v. nutrition because of poor general condition, or on physician decision. Lipid emulsion with purified soybean oil was initiated at 0.5 g/kg/day on postnatal day 1. The dose was increased to 1 g/kg/day, and then to 1.5 g/kg/day (maximum dose). Blood tests were performed before (day 1) and after (day 8) initiation of lipid emulsion treatment. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), total bilirubin (T-Bil), direct bilirubin (D-Bil) and insulin were measured. Changes in respiratory condition, amount of oxygen used, and phototherapy duration were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 17 treated and 15 untreated VLBW infants were enrolled. IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, TNF-α, CRP, T-Bil, D-Bil and insulin on days 1 and 8; respirator or surfactant use; amount of oxygen used; and phototherapy duration were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Lipid emulsion treatment did not increase inflammatory cytokine levels or aggravate respiratory disorders. Lipid emulsions, if proven safe, could be used to treat VLBW infants soon after birth, which may prevent extrauterine growth restriction and improve intellectual development prognosis.