Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are first-line therapeutic agents for atopic dermatitis (AD). Some patients express irrational fear and anxiety about using TCS, which leads to poor outcomes for AD. Although it is important to understand the factors underlying steroid phobia so that its effects can be minimized, few studies have addressed this subject. Here, we used a questionnaire to investigate predictive factors for steroid phobia in the caregivers (usually mothers) of children with AD. We studied 436 children with AD (mean age 47.6 mos, range 2-236 mos) who newly visited our AD outpatient unit. The caregivers were asked to complete a medical history questionnaire regarding AD. Steroid phobia was analyzed for correlations with other patient and caregiver variables. Overall, 38.3% of the caregivers were reluctant to use TCS on their children's skin. Patient characteristics female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85 vs male; p = 0.005), child's paternal history of AD (OR = 1.94; p = 0.03), and frequent changing of clinics (OR = 1.25; p = 0.03) were predictive factors for steroid phobia. AD severity did not correlate with steroid phobia. Our findings suggest that greater attention to the patient's sex and clinical background of patients with AD is important to the success of AD therapy, regardless of AD severity.

The movement of transition-metal ions was observed in an inhomogeneous magnetic field. The solution containing Cr3+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ ions was spotted on a silica gel support and exposed to a magnetic field of 410 kOe2 cm-1 intensity × gradient. The distribution of the metal ions was measured, and the frictional coefficient of the movement was analyzed in relation to the susceptibility and concentration of the metal ions as well as to the size of the silica gel particles. When the concentration is higher, the metal ions move farther toward the maximum field. It is shown that a large group of metal ions and water molecules moves in a magnetic field.

The magnetic separation was investigated for Fe3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Ag+, and Cd2+ ions in an inhomogeneous field of 410 kOe2 cm-1. By application of the field to the solutions spotted on silica gel, the Fe3+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ ions were attracted toward the field center, but the Zn2+, Ag+, and Cd2+ ions stayed at the spot origin. The movements depended upon the susceptibilities of the metal ions. The findings demonstrate that the use of a magnetic field has potential to separate ions in chemical and biological areas.

The effect of static stretching on passive stiffness of the hamstrings was not maintained as long as the changes in ROM, stretch tolerance, and isometric muscle force. Therefore, frequent stretching is necessary to improve the viscoelasticity of the muscle-tendon unit. Muscle force was decreased for 30 minutes after stretching; this should be considered prior to activities requiring maximal muscle strength.

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The magnetic movement and thermal diffusion have been studied for Cu(2+) ions in solution. The Cu(2+) ion solution was spotted on the silica gel support and exposed to the magnetic field of 410 kOe(2) cm(-1) intensity x gradient. The Cu(2+) ions were attracted toward the filed center. The moving distance and diffusing distance were observed at various time intervals. It is shown that the Cu(2+) ions move in a large group composed of Cu(2+) ions and H(2)O molecules. The size of the group is approximately estimated to be of 4.6 mum diameter by the analysis of the drift velocity of the group and the Cu(2+) ion concentration in the group.

The magnetic separation was investigated for Co2+ (9500 × 10-6 cm3 mol-1) and Fe3+ (14600 × 10-6 cm3 mol-1) ions and for Cr3+ (6200 × 10-6 cm3 mol-1) and Al3+ (−2 × 10-6 cm3 mol-1) ions. The metal ion solutions were spotted on a silica gel support, and exposed to a magnetic field of 410 kOe2 cm-1 intensity × gradient. The Co2+ ions move farther toward the maximum field than the Fe3+ ions. The result is explained by the fact that the Fe3+ ions are adsorbed more strongly on the silica gel surface than the Co2+ ions. The Cr3+ ions move farther toward the field center than the Al3+ ions. This occurs because the Cr3+ ions are attracted more strongly by the magnetic force than the Al3+ ions. It is demonstrated that the separation makes effective use of the adsorption activities as well as the magnetic susceptibilities.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) was mechanically fractured in vacuum at 77 K; this resulted in the scission of the β-1,4 glycosidic linkages of BC. The chain-end-type radicals (mechanoradicals) generated from the scissions were assigned by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectral analyses. A diblock copolymer of BC and poly(methyl methacrylate) (BC-block-PMMA) was produced by the mechanical fracture of BC with MMA (methyl methacrylate) in vacuum at 77 K. Radical polymerization of MMA was initiated by the mechanoradicals located on the BC surface. The BC surface was fully covered with the PMMA chains of the BC-block-PMMA. Novel modification of the BC surface with the BC-block-PMMA was confirmed by spectral analyses of ESR, Fourier-transform infrared, (1)H NMR, and gel permeation chromatography.