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Abstract Background Preconception care is expected to prevent diseases, promote health, and improve pregnancy outcomes. Although a consensus exists on the efficacy of folic acid supplementation and preconception vaccination, evidence regarding comprehensive approaches to preconception care targeting the general population remains lacking. We aimed to identify and examine preconception care programs delivered to reproductive-aged women and men to promote behavioral change. Methods We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases on November 30, 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster RCTs assessing preconception care programs provided to the general population. We included behavioral change interventions, including screening, counseling, and education, to encourage preconception health. We performed a narrative synthesis of the characteristics and a summary of the intervention effects of the included studies. Results We identified 26 trials (from 29 reports). Most of the studies recruited women. The most common study setting was healthcare services, and various types of behavioral change interventions were noted. All types of interventions, including individual education, group education, online education, and information campaigns, exhibited certain effects of improvement regarding behavioral change, knowledge, health outcomes, and other health-related outcomes in preconception health. Conclusions In this systematic review, only three studies recruited men. Further research on preconception care in men is needed. The topics typically addressed in preconception care are folic acid supplementation and nutrition. Additionally, further research is needed for a comprehensive approach, including physical, mental, and social health. Future research addressing the broad determinants of preconception health for both women and men could provide more effective preconception care.

Thermoelectric power generation using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has attracted considerable attention as a clean energy technology. A variety of chemical dopants that are stable in air have been reported to improve the thermoelectric performance of CNT; however, the stability of the chemical dopants is sometimes not reproducible. Therefore, we focused on the effects of CNT and chemical n-dopant structures on the stability and thermoelectric properties. We n-doped CNTs with different properties and measured their transient responses for 180 days. The stability was found to strongly depend on not only the dopant structure but also the structure of the CNT, especially the diameter. This is because CNTs with small diameters have a wide bandgap and a high energy level of the conduction band, and chemical dopants with a stronger electron-donating ability are required to obtain stable n-type CNTs. Therefore, the stability of chemical dopants strongly depends not only on the dopant structure but also on the structure of the CNT itself. This study focuses on the diameter among all the different structural parameters of CNTs. However, our findings indicate that the structure of CNTs is an essential factor to be considered while discussing the stability of chemical dopants.

Background: The association between pet exposure in infancy, early childhood eczema, and FLG mutations remains unclear. Methods: This was a birth cohort study performed in Tokyo, Japan. The primary outcome was current eczema based on questionnaire responses collected repeatedly from birth to 5 years of age. Generalized estimating equations and generalized linear modeling were used to evaluate the association. Results: Data from 1448 participants were used for analyses. Household dog ownership during gestation, early infancy, and 18 months of age significantly reduced the risk of current eczema. Household cat ownership also reduced the risk of current eczema, albeit without statistical significance. The combined evaluation of children from households with pets, be it cats, dogs or both, the risk of current eczema at 1–5 years of age was lower in those with household pet exposure ownership during gestation (RR = 0.59, 95 % CI 0.45–0.77) and at 6 months (RR = 0.49, 95 % CI 0.36–0.68). , Reduced risks of eczema were also observed at 2–5 (RR = 0.52, 95 % CI 0.37–0.73) and 3–5 years of age (RR = 0.50 95 % CI 0.35–0.74) when the respective household pet ownership were evaluated at 18 months and 3 years of age. These protective associations of reduced risk of eczema were only observed in children without FLG mutations. Conclusions: Household dog and pet (dog, cat, or both) ownership was protective against early childhood eczema in a birth cohort dataset. This protective association was observed only in children without FLG mutations, which should be confirmed in studies with larger cohorts.

A study demonstrated that drug provocation tests could be conducted in children with underlying diseases, enabling accurate diagnosis of drug allergy. The study investigators hope that their work will allow more children with underlying conditions to undergo drug provocation tests.

Objectives Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a known treatment for pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants after 7 days of age (postacute phase). However, a consensus regarding the optimal criteria for initiating iNO therapy in this population in the postacute phase is currently lacking. This study, therefore, aimed to identify the criteria for initiating iNO therapy, alongside the associated clinical and echocardiographic findings, in this population.Design We performed a scoping review using the population-concept-context framework following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews.Data sources PubMed, Embase and the Japanese database ‘Ichushi’ were systematically searched for relevant articles published between January 2003 and August 2023.Eligibility criteria This study included randomised controlled trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, case–control studies and case series on iNO therapy in the postacute phase for preterm infants born before 34 gestational weeks, written in English or Japanese.Data extraction and synthesis Data screening, extraction and charting were performed independently, with the characteristics and findings of the included studies subsequently summarised.Results We included 10 reports that analysed the data from 10 separate studies. The use of iNO therapy was categorised as prophylactic and rescue purposes. While randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective analyses indicated the safety of iNO during the postacute phase, the latter highlighted poor prognoses associated with severe cases requiring rescue iNO therapy. Additionally, although echocardiography is currently the primary diagnostic tool for identifying PH in preterm infants, standardised diagnostic criteria are lacking. Further, reports of complications and side effects associated with iNO are rare.Conclusion Our exploration of the initiation criteria for iNO revealed that definitive guidelines have not been established. Nonetheless, iNO administration during the postacute phase appeared to be safe and devoid of complications.Trial registration number UMIN000051498.

Introduction: A study conducted in 31 countries described that over 60% of women and children are exposed to SHS outside. Aims: was to explore the association of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure on maternal and perinatal outcomes in highland settings in Indonesia. Methods: The retrospective cross-sectional survey was used a random sampling method with 52-items of the questionnaire included information of women and infants. This study conducted with the community health center and all seven public health centers in Tomohon city, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, from May to October 2017. The participants were women who had given birth and were exposed to SHS during pregnancy. Their health condition was measured before and after pregnancy, the gestational week at birth, birth weight and height, and perinatal health conditions of the infants. Result: Among 234 women who completed the questionnaire and were included in the analysis. The 97% of household active smokers had a chance to smoke outside the house. Also, approximately 70% of women (162/234) reported exposure to SHS from active household smokers during pregnancy. Maternal secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure during pregnancy was significantly associated with the risk of reduction of birth weight (p = 0.02). Moreover, infants’ birth weight of mothers exposed to SHS outside the house was significantly less than those exposed to SHS only inside (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Further research is required to focus on public smoke-free strategies to protect women and children’s health from SHS in Indonesia.

Introduction Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) use is recommended for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn in term and late preterm infants. Recently, iNO therapy to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or rescue for hypoxic respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension secondary to BPD has increasingly been used in preterm infants after 7 days of postnatal age (in the postacute phase), despite its off-label use. However, the initiation criteria of iNO therapy for preterm infants in the postacute phase are varied. The aim of this scoping review is to identify the clinical and/or echo findings at the initiation of iNO therapy in preterm infants in the postacute phase.Methods and analysis We will search PubMed, Embase and the Japanese database ‘Ichushi.’ The following studies will be included in the review: randomised controlled trials, prospective/retrospective cohort studies, case–control studies and case series on iNO therapy for preterm infants in the postacute phase; studies published between January 2003 and August 2023; studies conducted in developed countries and studies written in English or Japanese. We will independently screen, extract and chart data using the population–concept–context framework following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. We will summarise the characteristics and findings of the included studies.Ethics and dissemination Obtaining an institutional review board approval is not required because of the nature of this review. A final report of review findings will be published and disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at relevant conferences.Trial registration number UMIN000051498.

Owing to their high thermal and optical performances, carbon nanotube (CNT) films are used in various photo-thermo-electric (PTE) applications, such as terahertz (THz) sensing and energy harvesting. To improve the performance of PTE devices, a device structure should be designed based on a deep understanding of the thermal and optical responses of the CNT film. However, the optical properties of CNT films in the THz frequency region remain unclear because of the difficulties associated with device processing and measurements. Herein, we report our findings on the thermal and optical characteristics of CNT films. The shape of the CNT film that maximizes the product of the thermal and optical factors (optimal structure of the PTE sensor) depends on the frequency of the irradiating electromagnetic wave. The optimal film thickness and width values for THz irradiation range from 300–600 nm and 50–70 µm, respectively. Subsequently, we fabricated a serially connected, multi-element PTE sensor with an optimal device structure and enhanced the detection sensitivity by approximately 13 times compared with a single-element PTE sensor. In addition, we demonstrated the first THz spectroscopy application using a PTE sensor. The findings of this study, thermal/optical factor enhancement, and micro-sized CNT film processing technology can be used to improve the performance of all CNT-based photothermal devices, including PTE sensors and thermoelectric generators.

Abstract Background Acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) and mild encephalopathy associated with excitotoxicity (MEEX) are the most frequent acute encephalopathies in pediatric patients in Japan. AESD typically presents with biphasic seizures and delayed reduced diffusion in the subcortical area, called bright tree appearance (BTA), on radiological examination. In patients with AESD, arterial spin labeling (ASL) shows decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the hyperacute stage and increased CBF in the acute stage, suggesting the usefulness of ASL for the early diagnosis of AESD. Additionally, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) shows elevated glutamate (Glu) and glutamine (Gln) in AESD. MEEX is a group of mild encephalopathies with transient elevation of Gln on MRS similar to that in AESD; however, MEEX does not include any clinical biphasic course or abnormalities, including BTA on diffusion-weighted imaging. Although the usefulness of ASL for AESD has been reported, there are no reports for patients with MEEX. In this study, we report our experience with a 4-year-old girl diagnosed with MEEX who showed unique findings on ASL. Case presentation The patient was a 4-year-old girl admitted to the emergency room with febrile status epilepticus. Considering the possibility of AESD, vitamin therapy was initiated. ASL-MR imaging (MRI) of the brain performed on the second day showed increased blood flow in the frontal, temporal, and occipital regions with spared central sulcus, which indicated AESD with central sparing. The patient was diagnosed with AESD, and the treatment included pulse steroid therapy and immunoglobulin therapy from day 3. The patient remained mildly unconscious but gradually became conscious by day 7 with no seizures. Brain MRI performed on day 8 did not show any characteristic AESD findings, such as BTA. Furthermore, MRS showed elevated Gln, which, along with the clinical course, led to the diagnosis of MEEX. The patient was discharged on day 16 without obvious sequelae. Conclusions ASL may be useful in the early diagnosis of MEEX as well as AESD, facilitating early intervention.

We perform electrolyte gating using ionic crystals instead of conventional ionic liquids and gels. By applying a gate voltage and heating the ionic crystal to a liquid state, Fermi level tuning of a carbon nanotube (CNT) film was achieved. Subsequent resolidification at room temperature ensured a fixed ion distribution in the electric double layer at the tuned state. The CNT film maintained the tuned Fermi level for over 30 days, even after the gate electrode was removed. This addresses the challenges associated with handling conventional ionic liquids and is poised to revolutionize the field of electrolyte gating for nanomaterial devices.

BackgroundWomen often experience many unique health issues and conditions throughout their working lives. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of interrelated digital devices that can enable data exchanges over a network without human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. The usage of applications and IoT in improving women’s health has recently increased worldwide. However, there has been no consensus on the effectiveness of IoT in improving women’s health outcomes. ObjectiveThis systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) aims to assess and synthesize the role of apps and the IoT in improving women’s health and to identify the ranking of interventions for ensuring better results for each stated outcome. MethodsOur systematic review and NMA will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook. We will comprehensively search the following electronic databases: PubMed (including MEDLINE), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (ie, CINAHL), PsycINFO, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry, along with other resources to identify relevant randomized controlled trials that have assessed the effects of various apps and the IoT with regard to improving working-aged women’s health in high-income countries. We will segment and analyze the results of the included studies based on age categories (women undergoing a preconception period, those undergoing gestational and postpartum periods, and menopausal and pre- and postmenopausal women) and the medical history (women who have a specific medical condition—eg, cancer or diabetes—and women who do not have them) separately. Two independent reviewers will perform the study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. Our primary outcomes include health status, well-being, and quality of life. We will perform pairwise meta-analysis and NMA to estimate the direct, indirect, and relative effects of apps and the IoT on women’s health outcomes. We will also assess the hierarchy of interventions, statistical inconsistencies, and certainties of evidence for each outcome. ResultsWe plan to conduct the search in January 2023 and are currently discussing search strategies with the literature search specialists. The final report is planned for submission to a peer-reviewed journal in September 2023. ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this review will be the first to identify the ranking of IoT intervention for ensuring working-aged women’s health outcomes. These findings may be of great use to researchers, policy makers, and others with an interest in the field. Trial RegistrationInternational Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42022384620; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=384620 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/45178

The use of imager devices to supplement broadband photo-monitoring technology has enabled multi-functional sensing capability relevant to internet of things-related applications. Here, the authors report a robotassisted imager-implanted broadband photo-monitoring sensing platform.

Abstract Secondhand smoke exposure of non-smoking women during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes. However, the available evidence regarding the association between expectant mothers’ secondhand smoke exposure and breastfeeding outcomes remains limited. This systematic review aimed to examine associations between secondhand smoke exposure of nonsmoking women during pregnancy with the initiation, prevalence, and duration or breastfeeding compared to women who were breastfeeding and had not been exposed to secondhand smoke. Women who smoked during pregnancy were excluded. We included case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies with a comparison control group. Medline CINAHL, and EMBASE were searched in January 2017. After screening 2777 records we included eight prospective cohort studies. The risk of bias assessment tool for non-randomized studies indicated a high risk of outcome assessment blinding. Meta-analysis of two studies established that the odds of discontinuation of any brestfeeding before six months were significantly increased in the secondhand smoke exposed women (pooled odds = 1.07 [95%CI = 1.01, 1.14], two studies, 1382 women). Therefore, secondhand smoke might be associated with discontinuing any breastfeeding before six months. More research is necessary to understand the association between secondhand smoke and the initiation, prevalence and duration of breastfeeding.

As flexible wearable sensors and imagers are receiving attention from diverse social sectors, the freely attachable photothermoelectric (PTE) conversion technique should be evaluated to develop a highly usable safety sensor network. Although carbon nanotube (CNT)‐related materials should be effective, the key parameters/structures that maximize PTE conversion have not been clarified, thus hindering optimum device design and practical use. Herein, the flexible, sensitive broadband photodetection operation based on a coupling configuration between the CNT film photo/heat/electron channel and metal electrode is evaluated. Experimental PTE measurements and steady‐state thermal distribution simulations reveal that a series coupling of a p‐type CNT film channel and a highly negative Seebeck coefficient counter metal electrode facilitate superior photodetection performances than those of a parallel coupling configuration. Furthermore, subsequent device designs provide sensitive broadband photodetection from the millimeter‐wave to visible light wavelength regions with a minimum noise equivalent power of 5 pWHz−1/2 in an uncooled nonvacuum condition. Simultaneously, the mechanical flexibility of the proposed photodetector allows for its use in freely attachable sheet imager applications on curvilinear objects, and the nondestructive 3D photomonitoring of a defective intricately bent sample is demonstrated.

Abstract Background Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is one of the most common causes of exercise-related leg pain in runners. Because stopping training due to pain from MTSS could decrease the athlete’s competitiveness, it is necessary to construct MTSS prevention and treatment programs. However, the effect of running, which is believed to cause MTSS, on shear elastic modulus of the posterior lower leg is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 30 min of running on shear elastic modulus of the posterior lower leg in healthy subjects. Methods Twenty healthy males volunteered to participate in this study (age, 20.9 ± 0.6 y; height, 169.6 ± 4.5 cm; weight, 62.6 ± 5.2 kg). The shear elastic modulus of the posterior lower leg was measured using ultrasonic shear wave elastography before and immediately after a 30-min running task. Results Shear elastic moduli of the flexor digitorum longus and tibialis posterior were significantly increased after 30 min running task. However, there were no significant changes in shear elastic moduli of the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, peroneus longus and peroneus brevis. Conclusion The results suggested that the increases in shear elastic moduli of flexor digitorum longus and tibialis posterior after running could be a risk factor for running-related MTSS development.

We report a design for terahertz (THz) detection by introducing strain to an area of a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) film. The strain is achieved by bending the film around the center, and a large THz response is measured at the two photo-thermoelectric junctions created on the edges of the strained area. We attribute the THz response to an increase in the Seebeck coefficient of the SWNT film with strain, which gives rise to the photo-thermoelectric effect. The enhanced thermal performance is verified on a macroscopic scale using Non-Equilibrium Green’s Function approach for SWNT networks.

Mechanisms of development, growth, and rupture of a cerebral aneurysm have been studied by computational fluid dynamics (CFD), calculating hemodynamic parameters, such as wall shear stress, oscillatory shear index (OSI), and relative residence time (RRT). It is well known that the upstream velocity profile and upstream vessel shape influence the computational results. However, few studies have dealt with cases involving a bifurcation upstream of a cerebral aneurysm. Furthermore, the fluid-dynamic effects of multiple structural elements of upstream vessel shape, such as a bifurcation and a bend, on the results of CFD remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the fluid-dynamic effects of multiple structural elements of upstream vessel shape such as bifurcation and bend on blood flow and hemodynamic parameters inside an aneurysm. Computations were performed for blood flow in a cerebral aneurysm with upstream sequential elements of a bifurcation, a bend, and a straight section, using four models with different upstream boundaries, i.e., before the bifurcation, after the bifurcation before the bend, after the bend, and after the straight section just before the cerebral aneurysm. The results were compared to elucidate the effect of each upstream structural element on the blood flow and hemodynamic parameters in the cerebral aneurysm. Differences in OSI and RRT resulting from changes in the velocity distribution were observed locally in the aneurysm between the models. It was also found that the effect of the bifurcation on the velocity distribution was greater than that of the bend.

Cellular and animal experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have revealed that mechanisms of the initiation, growth and rupture of a cerebral aneurysm are related to hemodynamics. By direct observation of a cerebral aneurysm during craniotomy, thinning or thickening sites can be found on the aneurysmal wall. The thinning site of a cerebral aneurysm is considered to be at high risk of rupture. In addition, the thickening site of a cerebral aneurysm is not necessarily in a stable state since arteriosclerosis may have occurred. Hence, information on wall conditions, i.e., thinning and thickening, of a cerebral aneurysm is beneficial for clinical diagnosis and treatment. In this study, a hemodynamic parameter to effectively estimate the thinness or thickness of cerebral aneurysmal walls was investigated. CFD of hemodynamics in cerebral aneurysms developed at the anterior communicating artery (ACoA), a common site of cerebral aneurysms, was performed, and characteristic distributions of hemodynamic parameters were investigated by comparing the computational results with clinical images. As a result, a high value of the time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) was found to be present at thinning sites, while a low TAWSS and a high relative residence time (RRT) of an indicator of blood retention were observed at thickening sites. Thinning and thickening sites each have their own characteristics distribution of hemodynamic parameters.