The results of measurements using an open-ended coaxial probe of the audio/radiofrequency dielectric properties of human skin in vivo, either dry or moistened with physiological saline, are reported. Permittivity and conductivity dispersion curves were parametrized by using a newly reported dispersion function (Raicu V 1999 Dielectric properties of biological matter: model combining Debye-type and 'universal' responses Phys. Rev. E 60 4677), and the results obtained are discussed in the light of the recent advances in this field. It is suggested that the coaxial probe reports on the properties of the superficial layer, the stratum corneum, when the skin surface is dry, whilst the signal from deeper skin layers becomes dominant after wetting the skin with conductive physiological saline.

In recent years, sarcopenic obesity has been considered central pathological factors in diabetes. This study aimed to compare the effect of luseogliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), on sarcopenic obesity in comparison to that of a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD). Twenty-week-old male db/db mice were fed a normal diet (Ctrl), LCD, and normal diet with 0.01% w/w luseogliflozin (SGLT2i) for eight weeks. Skeletal muscle mass and grip strength decreased in the LCD group mice compared to those in the control group, while they increased in the SGLT2i group mice. The amino acid content in the liver, skeletal muscle, and serum were lower in the LCD group than those in the Ctrl group but increased in the SGLT2i group mice. Short-chain fatty acids in rectal feces were lower in the LCD group mice than those in the Ctrl group, whereas they were higher in the SGLT2i group mice. The abundance of Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia, Enterobacterales, and Bacteroides caccae species increased in the LCD group compared to the other two groups, whereas the abundance of Syntrophothermus lipocalidus, Syntrophomonadaceae family, Parabacteroidesdistasonis distasonis, and the genus Anaerotignum increased in the SGLT2i group. Luseogliflozin could prevent sarcopenic obesity by improving amino acid metabolism.

Congenital alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in a newborn was reported. She had multiple subcutaneous tumors and looked like a blueberry muffin baby. From the clinical signs and the histological pictures, a diagnosis of neuroblastoma was considered. Laboratory data showed no abnormalities. Electron microscopic examination revealed myofilament and incipient stria formation. On the basis of these data, a final diagnosis of congenital alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma associated with multiple skin metastases was made.

Our aim was to examine the seasonal variations in home blood pressure measurements and the relationship of ambient temperature or room temperature with the seasonal variations in home blood pressure measurements using a home blood pressure telemonitoring system in patients with type 2 diabetes. The home blood pressure measurements of 41 patients with type 2 diabetes were self-measured. Patients performed triplicate morning and evening blood pressure measurements at least 5 days per month for 12 consecutive months. The lowest values of both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were observed in August (126.3 and 70.4 mmHg, respectively), and the highest systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were observed in January (140.3 and 76.9 mmHg, respectively). The root mean squared error between the mean systolic blood pressure and room temperature was 6.50 mmHg and between mean systolic blood pressure and ambient temperature was 6.55 mmHg. Using a home blood pressure telemonitoring system, this study revealed for the first time that home blood pressure varied seasonally, with the highest values observed in January and the lowest values observed in August, and that the seasonal variations in home blood pressure were related to room temperature as well as ambient temperature.

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