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Koyo Hashijiri,1 Yuichiro Watanabe,1 Naoki Fukui,1 Takaharu Motegi,1 Maki Ogawa,1 Jun Egawa,1 Takayuki Enomoto,2 Toshiyuki Someya1 1Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, JapanCorrespondence: Yuichiro Watanabe Email yuichiro@med.niigata-u.ac.jpPurpose: Identification of pregnant women with bonding difficulties is important to provide early intervention. However, few studies have examined the utility of self-report questionnaires that assess mother–infant bonding as screening tools for bonding difficulties. This longitudinal study aimed to identify pregnant women with bonding difficulties using the Japanese version of the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS-J) and to estimate its optimal cutoff points in the peripartum period.Patients and Methods: A total of 1301 pregnant women completed the MIBS-J and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at three time points: first trimester (T1; approximately 12– 15 weeks gestation), third trimester (T2; approximately 30– 34 weeks gestation), and postpartum (T3; approximately 4 weeks postpartum). A two-step cluster analysis was conducted to classify pregnant women based on their MIBS-J subscale scores at the three time points. Based on the cluster analysis results, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to estimate the optimal cutoff scores for the MIBS-J total score at each time point.Results: The two-step cluster analysis produced two clusters: Cluster 1 (n = 824) and Cluster 2 (n = 477). Both the MIBS-J and HADS scores were significantly higher in Cluster 2 than in Cluster 1 at all time points. The MIBS-J tentative cutoff points were 3/4, 3/4, and 2/3 at T1, T2, and T3, respectively.Conclusion: We identified two distinct groups across the perinatal period: pregnant women with bonding difficulties and pregnant women with normal bonding. Our findings suggest the usefulness of the MIBS-J as a screening tool to identify bonding difficulties during pregnancy.Keywords: bonding difficulties, cluster analysis, HADS, MIBS-J, ROC analysis

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has evolved to dominate grape juice fermentation. A suite of cellular properties, rapid nutrient depletion, production of inhibitory compounds and the metabolic narrowing of the niche, all enable a minor resident of the initial population to dramatically increase its relative biomass in the ecosystem. This dominance of the grape juice environment is fueled by a rapid launch of glycolysis and energy generation mediated by transport of hexoses and an efficient coupling of transport and catabolism. Fermentation occurs in the presence of molecular oxygen as the choice between respiratory or fermentative growth is regulated by the availability of sugar a phenomenon known as glucose or catabolite repression. Induction of the [GAR + ] prion alters the expression of the major hexose transporter active under these conditions, Hxt3, reducing glycolytic capacity. Bacteria present in the grape juice ecosystem were able to induce the [GAR + ] prion in wine strains of S. cerevisiae. This induction reduced fermentation capacity but did not block it entirely. However, dominance factors such as the rapid depletion of amino acids and other nitrogen sources from the environment were impeded enabling greater access to these substrates for the bacteria. Bacteria associated with arrested commercial wine fermentations were able to induce the prion state, and yeast cells isolated from arrested commercial fermentations were found to be [GAR + ] thus confirming the ecological relevance of prion induction. Subsequent analyses demonstrated that the presence of environmental acetic acid could lead to [GAR + ] induction in yeast strains under certain conditions. The induction of the prion enabled yeast growth on non-preferred substrates, oxidation and reduction products of glucose and fructose, present as a consequence of bacterial energy production. In native ecosystems prion induction never exceeded roughly 50-60% of the population of yeast cells suggesting that the population retains the capacity for maximal fermentation. Thus, the bacterial induction of the [GAR + ] prion represents a novel environmental response: the query of the environment for the presence of competing organisms and the biological decision to temper glucose repression and dominance and enter a metabolic state enabling coexistence.

Maki Ogawa,1 Yuichiro Watanabe,1 Takaharu Motegi,1 Naoki Fukui,1 Koyo Hashijiri,1 Ryusuke Tsuboya,1 Takuro Sugai,1 Jun Egawa,1 Rie Araki,2 Kazufumi Haino,3 Masayuki Yamaguchi,3 Koji Nishijima,4 Takayuki Enomoto,3 Toshiyuki Someya1 1Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan; 2Nursing, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, Japan; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan; 4General Center for Perinatal, Maternal and Neonatal Medicine, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, JapanCorrespondence: Yuichiro WatanabeDepartment of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 757 Asahimachidori-Ichibancho, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8510, JapanTel +81-25-227-2213Fax +81-25-227-0777Email yuichiro@med.niigata-u.ac.jpPurpose: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a self-report questionnaire widely used to assess anxiety and depression. To the best of our knowledge, only four studies have examined the factor structure of the HADS for assessing pregnant women, with conflicting results. This study aimed to assess the factor structure and measurement invariance of the HADS for use with pregnant Japanese women.Participants and Methods: A total of 936 pregnant Japanese women completed the HADS questionnaire at three time points: the first and third trimester of pregnancy, and postpartum. We examined the factor structure of the HADS in Group 1 (n = 466) using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). We then compared the models identified in Group 1 with those from previous studies using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in Group 2 (n = 470). We performed multiple-group CFA for Group 2 to test the measurement invariance of the best-fit model across the three time points.Results: The EFA for the Group 1 data at the three time points revealed a two-factor model. In the CFA, the two-factor model from Group 1 showed the best fit with the data at the three time points. In the multiple-group CFA for Group 2, we confirmed the configural and metric invariance of the two-factor model across the three time points.Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence for a two-factor structure and weak measurement invariance of the HADS in pregnant Japanese women during the peripartum period.Keywords: confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

Takaharu Motegi,1 Yuichiro Watanabe,1 Naoki Fukui,1 Maki Ogawa,1 Koyo Hashijiri,1 Ryusuke Tsuboya,1 Takuro Sugai,1 Jun Egawa,1 Rie Araki,2 Kazufumi Haino,3 Masayuki Yamaguchi,3 Koji Nishijima,4 Takayuki Enomoto,3 Toshiyuki Someya1 1Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan; 2Nursing, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, Japan; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan; 4General Center for Perinatal, Maternal and Neonatal Medicine, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, JapanCorrespondence: Yuichiro WatanabeDepartment of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 757 Asahimachidori-Ichibancho, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, JapanTel +81-25-227-2213Fax +81-25-227-0777Email yuichiro@med.niigata-u.ac.jpPurpose: Postpartum depression is a well-known risk factor, and postpartum anxiety and parity are potential risk factors, for mother–infant bonding disorder. However, few studies have focused on the relationships among these factors and mother–infant bonding. This cross-sectional study explored the associations between depression, anxiety and parity, and mother–infant bonding.Materials and Methods: Japanese mothers, both primiparas and multiparas, completed the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) one month after childbirth. We performed a stepwise multiple regression analysis with the forward selection method to assess the effects of HADS anxiety and depression scores and parity as independent variables on mother–infant bonding as the dependent variable.Results: A total of 2379 Japanese mothers (1116 primiparas and 1263 multiparas) took part in the study. MIBS score (2.89 ± 2.68 vs 1.60 ± 2.11; p < 0.0001) was significantly higher in primiparas than in multiparas. HADS anxiety (6.55 ± 4.06 vs 4.63 ± 3.41; p < 0.0001) and depression (6.56 ± 3.43 vs 5.98 ± 3.20; p < 0.0001) scores were also significantly higher in primiparas than in multiparas. A stepwise multiple regression analysis with the forward selection method revealed that HADS depression and anxiety scores and parity were significantly associated with MIBS score (p = 0.003, 0.015 and 0.023).Conclusion: Depression, anxiety and primiparity were negatively associated with mother–infant bonding one month after childbirth.Keywords: HADS, Japanese, MIBS, parity, postpartum

Michi Ogawa,1 Tasuku Hashimoto,1,2 Mami Tanaka,3 Masumi Tachibana,1 Ryota Seki,1 Aiko Sato,4 Jun Okayama,5 Mamiko Endo,6 Naoki Saito,7 Yasunori Sato,8 Hiroyuki Watanabe,9,10 Michiko Nakazato,1,11 Emi Mori,12 Makio Shozu,13 Masaomi Iyo1 1Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; 2Department of Psychiatry, Satsuki-kai Sodegaura-Satsukidai Hospital, Chiba, Japan; 3Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; 4Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan; 5Department of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan; 6Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; 7Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; 8Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan; 9Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; 10Department of Psychiatry, Gakuji-kai Kimura Hospital, Chiba, Japan; 11Department of Psychiatry, International University of Health and Welfare Atami Hospital, Atami, Japan; 12Department of Health Promotion Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; 13Department of Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, JapanCorrespondence: Tasuku HashimotoDepartment of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, JapanTel +81-43-226-2148Fax +81-43-226-2150Email t-hashimoto@faculty.chiba-u.jpBackground: Pregnant and postpartum women with psychosocial problems are prone to face limited or absent perinatal functional support from biological grandmothers due to familial dysfunction. The study aimed to investigate whether the involvement and presence of biological maternal grandmothers providing practical support for their pre/postnatal daughters (ie, pregnant women) during the perinatal period may influence the number of support services provided by multidisciplinary agencies, including child consultation centers and municipal offices.Participants and methods: This is a retrospective cohort study based on the medical records of all pregnant women with psychosocial problems that visited, gave birth, and received intervention from the hospital-based child protection unit at the Chiba University Hospital between February 2018 to March 2019. The primary outcome was to identify whether there was a difference in the number of multidisciplinary agencies providing perinatal support between pregnant women with and without the presence of functional support from biological maternal grandmothers during the perinatal period.Results: We identified 114 pregnant and postpartum women with psychosocial problems. Seventy-six of these participants (66.7%) had functional support from their biological maternal grandmothers during the perinatal period, and 38 participants (33.3%) did not. The number of agencies involved with participants who lacked functional support was significantly higher than participants with functional support (t(55.14) = 2.98, p < 0.01). This finding was consistent among pregnant and postpartum primipara participants (n = 70) (t(68) = 3.87, p < 0.001), but not multipara (n = 44).Conclusion: The findings indicate that the presence and functional support of biological maternal grandmothers influence the support that is needed from multidisciplinary perinatal support systems by pregnant and postpartum women with psychosocial problems. Primipara mothers without support from their own mothers may need greater multidisciplinary support.Keywords: child maltreatment, grandmother, perinatal, postpartum, pregnancy, psychosocial

Objectives: To investigate the association between plasma N‐terminal pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide concentration and glomerular filtration rate in dogs. Materials and Methods: Dogs were classified into four categories by bodyweight. Dogs were divided into four groups (Groups 1 to 4) based on glomerular filtration rate estimates using plasma iohexol clearance per bodyweight category. Generalised linear models were built to explore the relationship between plasma N‐terminal pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide concentration and glomerular filtration rate and the effect of confounders on plasma N‐terminal pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide concentration. Results: Fifty‐three dogs were included (Group 1, 25; Group 2, seven; Group 3, five; and Group 4, 16). The medians (interquartile range) N‐terminal pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations for Groups 1 to 4 were 7224 pg/mL (4766 to 10,254 mg/dL), 8958 pg/mL (4935 to 11,271 mg/dL), 9280 pg/mL (9195 to 10,384 mg/dL) and 12,683 pg/mL (9133 to 19,217 mg/dL), respectively. Group 4, estimated to have the highest reduction in glomerular filtration rate, had a higher plasma N‐terminal pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide concentration than Groups 1 to 3. Based on the final generalised linear model, influencing factors for plasma N‐terminal pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide concentration were plasma iohexol clearance (−0.136; 95% confidence interval, −0.227 to −0.046) and bodyweight (−0.058; 95% confidence interval, −0.098 to −0.018). Clinical Significance: N‐terminal pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide concentration is associated with the glomerular filtration rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the fabrication and optical characteristics of microdisk (MD) resonators with Er,O-codoped GaAs (GaAs:Er,O) as an active component. MD resonators based on GaAs:Er,O with different sidewall angles are fabricated by electron beam lithography followed by two different processes: dry and wet etching. Numerical simulations using a finite-difference time-domain method demonstrate an increase in the cavity quality (Q) factor of the MDs when sharpening the taper angle of the MDs. Micro-photoluminescence characterization of the MD resonators with excitation by a He–Ne laser reveals an 11.4-fold enhancement of Er-related luminescence and a cavity Q factor of 4.2 × 103. For the MD resonators with tapered sidewalls, further enhancement of Er luminescence and increased Q factor (>9.0 × 103) are observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]