Association between low MCV in early pregnancy and perinatal mental health in the Japan Environment and Children's Study and the possible effect of iron deficiency.

BACKGROUND: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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). LIMITATIONS: Low MCV values do not necessarily represent iron deficiency. Ferritin, currently the best indicator of iron deficiency, was not measured in the JECS. CONCLUSIONS: 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.

A magnetic fluid microdevice using insect wings.

A magnetic fluid microdevice using Diptera insect wings is proposed and constructed. The magnetic fluid device is composed of insect wings, a small permanent magnet, coil, and kerosene-based magnetic fluid. First, the structural properties of insect wings are studied through measurements of certain morphological parameters. Secondly, the novel type of microwind energy converter is constructed. Thirdly, the power generation characteristics of the magnetic fluid microdevice using insect wings are examined. It is found that the output power is roughly proportional to the cube of the airflow velocity.

Oxygen uptake efficiency slope as a useful measure of cardiorespiratory functional reserve in adult cardiac patients.

In this study we aimed to elucidate the validity and usefulness of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) in the evaluation of adult cardiac patients. Cardiopulmonary exercise tests were performed on a treadmill by 50 adult patients with chronic heart failure. The OUES was calculated from data for the first 75%, 90%, and 100% of exercise duration. The OUES is derived from the following equation: VO(2)=ax logV(E)+b, where VO(2) is oxygen uptake (ml/kg/min), V(E) is minute ventilation (l/kg/min), and the constant "a" represents OUES. We also determined the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT). The correlation coefficient of the logarithmic curve-fitting model was [mean (SD)] 0.986 (0.009). The OUES could be used to discriminate effectively between New York Heart Association functional classes (P < 0.001). OUES and maximum VO(2) were significantly correlated (r=0.78, P < 0.01). Agreement between the OUES values for the first 90%, 75%, and 100% of the exercise was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99). Our results suggest that OUES is applicable to adult cardiac patients as an objective, effort-independent estimation of cardiorespiratory functional reserve.

Characterization of alpha-glucosyltransferase from Pseudomonas mesoacidophila MX-45.

alpha-Glucosyltransferase was purified from Pseudomonas mesoacidophila MX-45. The molecular weight was estimated to be 63,000 by SDS-PAGE, and the isoelectric point was pI 5.4. For enzyme activity based on sucrose decomposition, the optimum pH and the optimum temperature were pH 5.8 and 40 degrees C, respectively. The ranges of stable pH and temperature were pH 5.1-6.7 and below 40 degrees C, respectively. The purified enzyme of MX-45 converted sucrose into trehalulose (1-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl- D-fructose) and isomaltulose (palatinose, 6-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-D-fructose) simultaneously, and the ratio of trehalulose to isomaltulose increased at lower reaction temperatures. Therefore, optimum conditions for trehalulose production were pH 5.5-6.5 at 20 degrees C. The yield of trehalulose from sucrose (20-40% solution) was 91%. The Km for sucrose was 19.2 +/- 3.3 mM estimated by the Hanes-Woolf plot. Product inhibition was observed, and the product inhibition constant was 0.17 M. Hg2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Ag+, Pb2+, glucono-1,5-lactone, and Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane inhibited the reaction.

[Studies on the efficacy and safety of panipenem/betamipron in infections in surgical domain and the safety when mixed with lactate containing infusion].

Studies were done on the effectiveness and safety of panipenem/betamipron, a new carbapenem antibiotic, in infections in the surgical domain and its safety when dissolved in infusions containing lactate. The obtained results are summarized as follows. The preparation, 0.5 g/0.5 g or 1.0 g/1.0 g, was administered by intravenous drip infusion 2 to 3 times a day to 31 cases of patients with infections in the surgical domain. A physiological saline solution was used as the solvent in 21 cases (group A) of them and Solita T3, an infusion containing lactate, was used as the solvent in the 10 remaining cases (group B). As for its clinical effects, results were rated as "excellent" in 20, "good" in 7, "fair" in 3 and "no response" in 1 out of the 31 cases, and the efficacy rate was 87.1%. Regarding its bacteriological effects, results were rated as "disappeared" in 22, "decreased" in 2, "unchanged" in 1 and "unknown" in 1 out of 26 cases from which bacteria were isolated, hence the bacteria-clearance rate was 88.0%. As for side effects, skin rash was seen in 1 case and slight increases of GOT and GPT were noted as abnormal changes in laboratory data in 2 cases. These side effects were all observed among the cases in group A but not at all in group B where a lactate containing infusion was used as the solvent.

[Prediction of severity of coronary artery disease by treadmill exercise testing].

Coronary angiography was performed in 250 patients with a significant ischemic ST segment change detected by symptom-limited maximum treadmill exercise testing, and relationship between anatomical severity of coronary artery disease and parameters in exercise testing was studied. The age of the patients ranged from 34 to 76 years (188 men, 62 women). One-vessel disease (1VD) was presented in 82 patients, two-vessel disease (2VD) in 42, three-vessel disease or left main coronary disease (3VD) in 26, and no significant stenosis was presented in 100 subjects (Normal). Functional aerobic impairement (FAI) was evaluated in each group as a parameter of exercise capacity, myocardial aerobic impairment (MAI) and heart rate impairment (HRI) were also evaluated as a parameter of maximum myocardial oxygen requirements and maximum heart rate, respectively. Using these parameters, discriminant analysis was performed to compare the group with significant coronary artery disease and the Normal group. Also, to compare the group with multi-vessel disease and the group with less than 2VD. Also, the 3VD group and the group with less than 3VD. FAI, MAI and HRI were significantly different (p less than 0.0001) in each group. The discriminant formula to separate the group of significant coronary artery disease from the Normal group was Z = -1.049 + 0.02 [FAI] +0.08 [MAI] +0.03 [HRI]. According to this formula, sensitivity was 92.5% and specificity was 71.5%. The discriminant formula to separate the group with multi-vessel disease from the group with less than 2VD was Z = -4.731 + 0.07 [FAI] +0.106 [MAI] +0.02 [HRI]. According to this formula, sensitivity was 96.3% and specificity was 78.8%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Clinical investigation of cefdinir in the pediatric field].

We performed pharmacokinetic, bacteriological and clinical studies on cefdinir granules (CFDN, FK482), and obtained the results summarized below. 1. Serum levels of CFDN when granular form was given in a single dose of 6 mg/kg before meal peaked at 0.81 micrograms/ml 6 hours after dosing. The serum half-life of the drug was 2.45 hours. 2. CFDN was administered to 18 patients with bacterial infections which consisted mainly of respiratory tract infections in doses of 1.3-7.4 mg/kg three times daily for 3-9 days. Clinical efficacies were "excellent" in 10 patients, "good" in 7, and "poor" in one, with an overall efficacy rate of 94.4%. 3. As for bacteriological effects on 20 strains of causative organisms, all the 10 strains of Gram-positive organisms were eradicated, with an eradication rate of 100%. Meanwhile, the eradication rate on 10 strains of Gram-negative organisms was 87.5%. Overall, bacteriological effect was "eradicated" in 17 strains, "decreased" in one, and "unknown" in 2, with an eradication rate of 94.4%. 4. No side effects nor abnormal laboratory test values were noted in any of the patients. We have concluded that cefdinir is useful in the treatment of infection in the pediatric field.

[Clinical reevaluation of continuous intravenous infusion of 5-fluorouracil--plasma concentrations and clinical dose by continuous intravenous and 60-min infusions].

Daily and intermittent continuous intravenous infusions [by gravity drip, (IVG) or infusion pump, (IVP)] and intermittent short-time intravenous drip infusion of 5-FU were carried out on advanced cancer patients. The MTD and dose-limiting toxicity were investigated in relation to the plasma concentrations of 5-FU determined by HPLC. Responses in eleven patients receiving IVG administration daily at 8-21 mg/kg/day were NC, but those given 5-FU alone showed no adverse reactions. Plasma concentrations were too low to be determined. In 9 patients receiving IVG or IVP administration weekly at 60 mg/kg for 24 hr, 1 of the 5 evaluable patients showed reduced hepatic metastatic lesions. One of 4 patients receiving IVP administration weekly at 120 mg/kg for 48 hr showed a disappearance of metastatic lesions in the skeletal muscle, but bone marrow suppression was observed as dose-limiting toxicity. Pharmacokinetics were more stable in IVP than in IVG with less individual difference in the plasma concentrations. Among the outpatients receiving short-time iv, IVG administration once or twice a week, 2 patients given weekly administrations at 20 mg/kg for 60 min showed slight adverse reactions. In 6 patients given high-dose administrations, bone marrow suppression was observed. When pharmacokinetics in the patients given 5-FU for 60 min were compared between the IVG and IVP groups, there were individual differences in plasma concentrations, but the differences were not significant. It was concluded from above results that the following practical dose schedules would be recommendable: 60 mg/kg for 24hr/week by IVP for inpatients and 20 mg/kg for 60 min/week by IVG for outpatients.

Cell kinetics and chemosensitivity of human carcinomas serially transplanted into nude mice.

Six human carcinoma xenografts serially transplanted into nude mice were used for the study of chemosensitivity and cell kinetics. Three gastric carcinomas (St-4, St-40 and H-111), two colon carcinomas (Co-3 and Co-4) and one breast carcinoma (MX-1) were inoculated into the subcutaneous tissue of BALB/cA nude mice. The maximum tolerable doses of mitomycin C (MMC), adriamycin (ADM), cyclophosphamide (CPA) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were administered when the tumor weights reached 100-300 mg. The response rates of the tumor to these drugs were found to be 3/6 for MMC, 2/6 for 5-FU and 1/6 for ADM and CPA. Percent labeled mitosis curves obtained from 3H-thymidine pulse labeling were analyzed by the method of Quastler and Sherman. It was found that the antitumor effect of MMC was closely correlated with the growth fractions of the tumors (r = -0.98, P less than 0.001), and it appeared that the tumor cells were more sensitive to MMC in the resting stages during the proliferating phase than in the other cell cycle phases. Cell kinetics is considered to be an important factor in determining chemosensitivity, and the system of human tumor xenografts-nude mice seems to be a suitable experimental model for investigating the correlation between cell kinetics and chemosensitivity in vivo.

[Cell kinetics of human lung small cell carcinomas transplanted into nude mice].

Three human lung small cell carcinoma (SCC) xenografts serially transplanted into BALB/c nude mice were used for cell kinetic analysis. SCC strains, Lu-24, Lu-130 and Lu-134, were inoculated into the backs of nude mice, and when each tumor reached more than 300 mg, 50 microCi of 3H-thymidine per mouse was administered ip. The percentage labeled mitosis curve was obtained from the autoradiographic specimens which were labeled by the pulse-chase method. Cell cycle phase, growth fraction (GF) and cell loss factor (CL) were assessed by the methods of Quastler, Fujita and Steel, respectively. These cell kinetic parameters were compared with those of six control human gastrocolic and breast carcinoma xenografts which were previously reported by us. It was noticed that the cell cycle times (Tc) of SCC were statistically shorter than those of controls and this short Tc was found to be dependent on their short post-mitotic resting phases. GFs and labeling indices of SCC were observed to be statistically lower than those of controls, suggesting an incomplete adaptation of SCC xenografts to the host nude mice. Whereas some modifications by the host mice on the cell kinetics were supposed, the characteristics of SCC cell kinetics were thought to be essentially preserved in nude mice and these kinetic parameters were observed to be stable throughout the serial transfers. Accordingly, the SCC xenograft-nude mouse system was considered to be useful as an experimental therapeutic model of human lung small cell carcinomas.

[Experimental combination chemo-radiotherapy on human breast carcinoma (MX-1) transplanted into nude mice].

Experimental combination chemo-radiotherapy of mitomycin C (MMC) and Linac irradiation was performed on human breast carcinoma transplanted into nude mice. The treatment was started on 2 wks. after tumor inoculations and the effects were evaluated by T/C ratio of the tumor weight. Cell kinetic analysis was studied by flow cytometry, 3H-thymidine uptake labeling index (L.I.) and mitotic index (M.I.) on 24 hrs. after treatments. Effect of MMC (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg) and irradiation (500, 1000 and 2000 rads/mouse) revealed exponential linear dose response curves against T/C ratio which was significantly correlated with L.I. In combination therapy, the synergistic action was observed when 500 rads/mouse and 1 mg/kg were combined, and the effect was found to be more excellent when the radiation was performed 24 hrs. before MMC administration than the reversed sequence. By MMC and radiation, 2n and 3n cells increased with decrease of 4n cells. Whereas no change of M.I. was observed, L.I. was depressed. Increased 3n cells with depressed L.I. was supposed to be caused by S phase prolongation. As this change was more remarkable by radiation, the combination therapy was thought to be more effective when the radiation was performed before MMC administration. This nude mice-human tumor system was thought to be useful to analyze the combination chemoradiotherapy.

[Effect of chemotherapy on the interstitial tissue of a malignant human tumor transplanted into nude mice, with reference to microvessels].

Experimental chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide (CPA) was performed on a human malignant hemangiopericytoma serially transplanted into nude mice with a genetic background of BALB/c and the changes or histological findings and microangiograms (MAG) were investigated. The treatment was performed 2 weeks after tumor inoculation. Either 120 mg/kg or 240 mg/kg of CPA, dissolved in 0.2 ml of physiological saline, was administered once intraperitoneally. On days 1, 2, 4 and 7 after the treatment, mice were sacrificed and each tumor was examined in terms of histological findings and MAG. Although the tumors treated with 120 mg/kg of CPA were suppressed temporarily, the regrowth of the tumors were observed. The tumors treated with 240 mg/kg of CPA regressed without any regrowth. From the observations of MAG, the former showed an avascular area on day 4 after the treatment and the tumor vessels regenerated on day 7 after the treatment. On the other hand, in the latter group, it was found that the normal vascular network developed after the formation of an avascular area 2 days after the treatment. From the histological findings, the former showed to reduce mitotic indeces of 1 or 2 days after the treatment, however the mitotic indeces were found to recover 7 days after the treatment. Mitotic indeces of tumors treated with 240 mg/kg of CPA were observed to be depressed after the treatment. These results suggested that the changes of interstitial tissue were closely correlated well with the destruction and regrowth of tumor cells observed by the growth curve and histological findings. Tumor vessels were thought to play an important role in the cancer chemotherapy, not only as the transport systems of drugs but also as the target of antitumor agents.

Antitumor effect and metabolic activation of cyclophosphamide and 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide in the human breast carcinoma (MX-1)-nude mouse system.

The effects of cyclophosphamide (CPA) and its active form, 4-hydroperoxy-CPA, against human breast carcinoma transplanted into nude mice (BALB/c nu/nu) were evaluated in terms of the decreases of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes in nude mice. A human breast carcinoma, MX-1, was implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of nude mice and a drug was administered intravenously once at a dose of 0.05, 0.1 or 0.15 mmol/kg, 1 or 3 weeks after tumor inoculation. 4-Hydroperoxy-CPA was more effective than CPA as regards inhibition of tumor growth, and the difference in effect was greater when the drugs were administered 3 weeks after tumor inoculation. The activity of CPA was depressed by the decrease of the hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes in proportion to the tumor-bearing period. Therefore, the effects of masked derivatives of CPA may correlate with the changes in drug-metabolizing activities of tumor-bearing mice. The human tumor xenografts-nude mice system is considered to be suitable for chemosensitivity tests with masked compounds.