A new electric field mill array with each of the mill’s rotor controlled precisely by a GPS module:Equipment and initial results

We have newly designed an electrostatic sensor,called an electric field mill(EFM),to simplify the estimation of the charge position and charge amount transferred by lightning discharges.It is necessary for this remote estimation of the transferred charge to measure electric field changes caused by charge loss at the time of a lightning strike at multiple locations.For multiple-station measurement of electric field changes,not only speed but also phase for exposure and shielding of the sensing plates inside each EFM of the array should be synchronized to maintain the sensitivities of the deployed instruments.Currently,there is no such EFM with specified speed and phase control performance of the rotary part.Thus,we developed a new EFM in which the rotary mechanism was controlled consistently to within 3%error by a GPS module.Five EFMs had been distributed in the Hokuriku area of Japan during the winter season of 2022-2023 for a test observation.Here we describe the design and a simple calibration method for our new EFM array.Data analysis method based on the assumption of a simple monopole charge structure is also summarized.For validation,locations of assumed point charges were compared with three-dimensional lightning mapping data estimated by radio observations in the MF-HF bands.Initial results indicated the validity to estimate transferred charge amounts and positions of winter cloud-to-ground lightning discharges with our new EFM array.

Tomato Seed Extract Containing Lycoperoside H Improves Skin Elasticity in Japanese Female Subjects: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Trial

Background and Objective: Tomato seeds are edible seeds unconsciously ingested with the fruit. However, there are few reports regarding the constituents and biological activities of tomato seed extract (TSE). Recently, we found that saponins are major constituents of TSE including lycoperoside H. Previous reports have described that several plant-derived saponins improve skin diseases such as wounds and microangiopathy. Therefore, to discover the effect of TSE on the skin condition, we conducted a clinical trial of TSE (Tomato Seed Extract-P) standardized with lycoperoside H when orally ingested. Methods: The study was performed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. TSE (200 mg daily) containing 1 mg of lycoperoside H was used as the active sample. We enrolled 44 Japanese women who have concerns about facial elasticity and relatively low facial skin elasticity. All subjects were randomly allocated into either the active group (n = 22) or the placebo group (n = 22) using a computerized random-number generator. Capsules containing either the active sample or a placebo were administered for 8 weeks between October 12, 2020, and January 16, 2021. Facial elasticity, specifically the R7 value, was evaluated as the primary outcome. The remaining facial R parameters, upper arm R parameters, and other skin parameters including epidermal moisture, trans epidermal water loss, dermal parameters, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) parameters were measured at 0, 4, and 8 weeks of ingestion. Blood, urine, and body parameters were also evaluated for safety. Results: Forty-three subjects completed the trial, and the per protocol set comprised 21 subjects in the TSE group and 22 subjects in the placebo group. After ingesting TSE for 8 weeks, the R7 value was significantly higher in the TSE group compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, the change in R7 values from the baseline at 4 and 8 weeks were also higher in the TSE group. Among the secondary outcomes, facial elasticity parameters including R2, R5, R1, and R4 at 4 weeks and facial R5, R1, and R4 and upper arm R2 at 8 weeks were higher in the TSE group. In addition, plasma pentosidine significantly decreased in the TSE group after 8 weeks of ingestion. There were no significant differences in moisture, DermaLab® parameters and AGEs parameters except plasma pentosidine. Laboratory tests revealed no abnormalities suggesting adverse effects of TSE. Conclusions: TSE (200 mg/day) standardized with lycoperoside H improved the facial elasticity parameters. Thus, daily ingestion of TSE was suggested to be beneficial for maintaining the facial skin elasticity. However, the relationship between the reduction of pentosidine and skin elasticity by TSE ingestion should be clarified through further studies. Trial Registration: UMIN-CTR: UMIN000041881. Foundation: Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Co., Ltd.

A Primary Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma of the Right Atrium: Report of a Case and Literature Review

Primary cardiac epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is extremely uncommon. To our knowledge, only fourteen cases have been reported. We report a case of a primary EHE of the right atrium which incidentally detected in 77-year-old woman. Echocardiograhpy revealed a 26 × 16 mm right atrial mass attached to the base of the interatrial septum and moderate regurgitation of the tricuspid valve. The tumor and stalk were completely resected from the interatrial septum with a partial resection of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and no signs of recurrence nor metastasis of EHE 4 years after operation. Because of malignant potential of EHE, a longer period of close follow up is necessary.