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.