We evaluated the association between maternal prenatal folic acid supplementation/dietary folate intake and motor and cognitive development in 2-year-old offspring using data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study database. Neurodevelopment of 2-year-old offspring were evaluated using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development 2001. In total, data of 3839 offspring were analysed. For folic acid supplementation, a multiple regression analysis showed that offspring of mothers who started using folic acid supplements before conception had a significantly lower developmental quotient (DQ) in the postural-motor DQ area than offspring of mothers who did not use them at any time throughout their pregnancy (partial regression coefficient (B) −2·596, 95 % CI −4·738, −0·455). Regarding daily dietary folate intake from preconception to early pregnancy, a multiple regression analysis showed that the group with ≥ 200 µg had a significantly higher DQ in the language-social area than the group with <200 µg. The DQ was higher in the ≥ 400 µg group (B 2·532, 95 % CI 0·201, 4·863) than the 200 to <400 µg group (B 1·437, 95 % CI 0·215, 2·660). In conclusion, our study showed that maternal adequate dietary folate intake from preconception to early pregnancy has a beneficial association with verbal cognition development in 2-year-old offspring. On the other hand, mothers who started using folic acid supplements before conception had an inverse association with motor development in 2-year-old offspring. There were no details on the amount of folic acid in the supplements used and frequency of use. Therefore, further studies are required.

We performed pollen analysis and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating on cored sediments (KS0412-3) from Kashibaru Marsh, located in the western part of the Sefuri Mountains in northern Kyushu, southwestern Japan, to investigate environmental change around the marsh. Sediment accumulation began in this marsh around cal AD 1200 and continued with an estimated average sedimentation rate of about 4 mm/yr. Human rice cultivation at this location began around cal AD 1300 and was abandoned due to the deposition of a thick sand layer at around cal AD 1400. Since this event, the area has been maintained as a “natural” marsh.

This study aimed to investigate the paleoenvironment of 2 Medieval archaeological sites, Onigashioya and Ooke, in central Japan, by assemblage analyses of insect fossils preserved in sediments at the sites. In the Onigashioya site located in Mie Prefecture, the sclerites of insect fossils classified as the “village” type were detected, which indicates that human activities, and in particular farming, were taking place there. Rice paddies and fields existed near the site, which explains why many insects harmful to rice plants and crops were detected in the area. The radiocarbon date for sclerite remains of Hydrophilus acuminatus, an aquatic beetle that live in rice paddy fields, was calibrated to be cal AD 1010–1155. Analysis of sclerite remains of Craspedonotus tibialis, a ground beetle that typically inhabits seashore environments, resulted in a date of cal AD 1020–1155. This finding suggests that human settlements existed in the seaside areas of the Onigashioya site in the 11th century AD. In the Ooke site located in Aichi Prefecture, “insect pits” were found, which are structural remains containing a large number of Anomala rufocuprea, an insect that preys on field crops. Farmers would have gathered the insects from the fields and buried the dead remains in the pits. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dates on sclerite remains of A. rufocuprea ranged from cal AD 1264 to 1385. It should be noted that fruit trees and vegetable crops were planted widely around the site in the 13th century AD. As the result, A. rufocuprea propagated greatly around the site in that period. It is probable that many insects harmful to field crops multiplied largely in this region due to the development of local woods and plains into farming fields. This type of development occurred throughout Japan during the Medieval period.

The aim of this study was to clarify those morphological features and hemodynamic stress factors which influence the electrocardiographic findings in atrioventricular septal defect. In 64 patients with the incomplete form of atrioventricular septal defect (separate valvar orifices) with usual atrial arrangement, the length from the left ventricular apex to the aortic valve (outlet dimension), to the so-called cleft (scoop dimension), and to the lowest point of the left atrioventricular valve (inlet dimension) were measured by biplanar cineangiography. The size of the ostium primum defect, the ventricular pressure ratio, and the pulmonary/systemic flow ratio were also evaluated. The results showed that the lower the scoop/outlet ratio (r=0.60, p<0.001), or the higher the ventricular pressure ratio (r= −0.55, p<0.001), the more deviated to the left and superior was the mean frontal QRS axis. These factors also had significant correlation with the QRS patterns in the Frank vectorcardiogram. We conclude that the scoop/outlet ratio, supposedly reflecting the degree of scooping of the interventricular septum, is one of the most significant factors which influence the electrocardiographic findings in atrioventricular septal defect.

We described previously that the degree of deficiency of the ventricular septum (scooping) affects electrocardiographic findings in atrioventricular septal defect with separate right and left atrioventricular orifices. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinicomorphological relationships of the degree of scooping, the precise morphology of the atrioventricular valve, and electrocardiographic findings in hearts having a common atrioventricular orifice. In 63 patients with usual atrial arrangement, the outlet, scoop and inlet dimensions of the ventricular septum were measured by biplanar cineangiography and were compared with the body surface area. The scoop/outlet ratio and inlet/outlet ratio were also compared with the body surface area, atrioventricular valvar morphology, electrocardiographic findings, and severity of regurgitation of the atrioventricular valve. The results showed that the three individual dimensions of the septum correlated significantly with the body surface area, even though the scoop/outlet ratio and inlet/outlet ratio did not. A correlation was found between the scoop/outlet ratio and the degree of left axis deviation on the electrocardiogram (r=0.74, p<0.001). In 16 patients with division of the inferior bridging leaflet, there was a lower scoop/outlet ratio than in the remaining 37 with an undivided bridging leaflet (p<0.01). Of 24 patients with counterclockwise rotation in the horizontal loop of the vectorcardiogram, 22 had an undivided inferior bridging leaflet (p<0.01). The morphology of the superior bridging leaflet, in contrast, was not associated with the scoop/outlet ratio, and neither was the severity of valvar regurgitation. We conclude that the degree of scooping of the ventricular septum is related not only to electrocardiographic findings, but also to the morphology of the inferior bridging leaflet in atrioventricular septal defect with common atrioventricular orifice.

Balloon dilation was performed in four patients with postoperative pulmonary stenosis who had undergone surgical creation of a coronary arterial tunnel in the pulmonary trunk. Two patients had complete transposition in whom the arterial switch operation had been performed using the modified Aubert method. The other two patients had anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk treated with the Takeuchi procedure. Balloon dilation was performed at 11 locations. The pressure gradient decreased from 48 ± 22 to 24 ± 14mmHg (p<0.01), and the diameter of the narrowest segment increased from 5.3 ± 2.5 to 7.5 ± 2.8mm (p<0.01), respectively. Of the 11 procedures, 8 (73%) were judged successful with use of the criterion of success as a greater than 50% decrease in pressure gradient, and/or a greater than 50% increase in diameter. The inflated balloon must have compressed the coronary arterial tunnel in the pulmonary trunk, but there was no apparent myocardial damage in any patient, although transient and mild ST-T changes appeared on electrocardiographic monitoring during the procedure in 2 patients. Rupture of the wall of the pulmonary trunk occurred in two patients, one of whom required elective surgical intervention. These data suggest that balloon dilation should be performed with caution for management of postoperative pulmonary arterial stenosis in patients with a surgically created intrapulmonary coronary arterial tunnel, since tearing the wall of the pulmonary trunk may occur.

Percutaneous transcatheter embolization of the arterial duct, using new detachable coils, was performed in 19 patients aged from two to 16 years. The minimal ductal diameter ranged from 0.5 to 2.7 mm. We used a 5 mm diameter coil, 8 cm in length and/or an 8 mm diameter coil, which was 10 cm in length. The coil was connected to a delivery wire with a screw system, and could be detached by rotation of the delivery wire. The coil was straightened by inserting a mandril, with loops then being formed by withdrawal of the mandril. In all patients, the coil was advanced retrogradely and either one or two coils were successfully implanted. Implantation was performed in four patients without the catheter entering the pulmonary trunk across the arterial duct. The ductal ampulla was either absent or very small in five patients, so we implanted a coil which had been cut short. Angiography revealed no residual shunting in 14 patients (74%) and trace residual shunting in five patients. Migration of the coils to the pulmonary arteries, or to a systemic artery, did not occur in any patient. Follow-up using Doppler color flow imaging showed complete closure of the arterial duct in all patients (100%), and no turbulence either in the left pulmonary artery or in the descending aorta in any patient. The use of the new detachable coil may improve the accuracy of placement of the device and reduce the incidence of its migration.

We describe field measurements (ground-penetrating radar (GPR), geodetic survey and ice-core drilling) to provide new information on the movement mechanism and internal structure of a polar rock glacier on James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula. We collected GPR data along longitudinal and transverse profiles. The longitudinal GPR profiles identify inter-bedded debris-rich layers that dip up-glacier, similar to the thrust structures in the compression zone of a valley glacier. The transverse GPR profiles indicate a syncline structure inclined towards the central part of the rock glacier, resembling the transverse foliation of a valley glacier. The stratigraphy of two boreholes shows that the rock glacier consists primarily of bubbly ice with thin debris-rich layers, an internal structure similar to the ‘nested spoons’ structure common in the interior of valley glaciers. These results indicate that the glacier motion is controlled by shear movement, common in valley glaciers. The geodetic survey confirms that flow velocities decrease towards the lower part of the rock glacier. Such heterogeneous movement causes longitudinal compression and forms thrusts which then create the debris-rich layer by uplifting basal ice and debris. Pushing of the upstream ice against the downstream ice bends the surface layers, forming transverse ridges on the rock glacier surface.

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating and paleoecological analysis of slope deposits at Mt Raizan provided seven 14C dates indicating that landslides occurred in that area at 6.0 to 6.3 cal ka BP and 6.5 cal ka BP. Plant macrofossils, pollen grains, and spores point to a mixed forest at that time, consisting of conifers and broad-leaved trees. On the other hand, insect fossil indicates slightly colder climate than that of the flora. This difference may be attributed to varied sensitivities of each proxy to climatic changes.

Plasma concentrations of endothelium-associated proteins (EAP) (plasma fibronectin (PFN), angio-tensin-converting enzyme, factor VIII-related antigen (F VIII-R:Ag)) and tissue plasminogen activator and serum thyroid hormone concentrations were studied in nine patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), before and after weight gain. Before weight gain (-35.9 (se 2.3)% of standard body-weight) PFN was significantly reduced and F VIII-R:Ag was significantly increased in AN patients compared with the concentrations in control subjects (211.5 (se 14.9) v. 274.7 (se 16.6) μg/ml, P < 0.05; 129.2 (se 14.1) v. 88.2 (se 9.7)%, P <0.05 respectively). Serum triiodothyronine (T3) and free T3 levels were also significantly lower before weight gain in AN patients (0.85 (se 0.07) v. 1.53 (se 0.08) nmol/l, P < 0.001; 2.57 (se 0.23) v. 5.31 (se 0.34) pmol/l, P < 0.001 respectively), although serum thyroxine (T4), free T4, and thyrotropin concentrations were within the normal range throughout the study periods. Following weight gain, PFN and F VIII-R: Ag concentrations normalized as did the thyroid hormone levels. The incremental changes in PFN levels correlated significantly with those in serum thyroid hormone concentrations (T3, r 0.79, P <0.01; free T3, r 0.84, P < 0.01). These findings suggest that PFN levels may be directly related to serum T3 concentrations in AN patients.

Let Xnn ≥ 1, be i.i.d.r.v.'s and Sn = X1+…+Xn. Let be Sn minus the r terms of largest absoluete value. Maller proved that if coverages in distribution to N(0, 1) then so does (Sn/bn)−an, assuming that Xn have a continuous symmetric distribution. We show that his resul;t is true without these extra assumptions. Some related results are also given.

Let Kr denote the set of r-tuples n = (n1n2, …, nr) with positive integers as coordinates (r ≥ 1) and {X, Xn, n ε Kr} be a family of independent, identically distributed random variables with positive mean 0 < EX ≡ μ < ∞ and finite positive variance 0 < var X ≡ σ2 ∞. The notation m ≤ n, where m = (mi) and n = (ni), means that mi ≤ ni (i = 1, 2,…, r) and |n| = n1n2 … nr. Denote Sn =Σj ≤ nXj (j, n ε Kr). When r = 1, {Xn, n ε Kr) reduces to the sequence {Xj, j ε 1} of independent random variables each distributed as X, and Sn becomes the ordinary partial sum .

A bivariate point process consisting of an original stationary point process and its random translation is considered. Westcott's method is applied to show that if the original point process is ergodic then the bivariate point process is also ergodic. This result is applied to an identification problem of the displacement distribution. It is shown that if the spectrum of the original process is the real line then the displacement distribution is identifiable from almost every sample realisation of the bivariate process.