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Strontium-90 (90Sr) was released together with radioactive cesium (Cs) from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) accident. Although the total amount of 90Sr released into the marine environment from the FNPP was estimated to be a factor of 100 lower than that of 137Cs, the public have been concerned about the safety of commercial species because of the tendency of accumulation in bones of organisms, its long physical half-life and less information about 90Sr concentrations in commercial species. In this study, we investigated the concentrations of 90Sr in marine fishes off Japan before and after the FNPP accident. Except for within a 20-km radius from the FNPP, 90Sr concentrations higher than the background level (

Ocean acidification results from an increase in the concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) impacts on marine calcifying species, which is predicted to become more pronounced in the future. By the end of this century, atmospheric pCO2 levels will have doubled relative to the pre-industrial levels of 280 ppm. However, the effects of pre-industrial pCO2 levels on marine organisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of pre-industrial pCO2 conditions on the size of the pluteus larvae of sea urchins, which are known to be vulnerable to ocean acidification. The larval size of Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus significantly increased when reared at pre-industrial pCO2 level relative to the present one, and the size of Anthocidaris crassispina larvae decreased as the pCO2 levels increased from the pre-industrial level to the near future ones after 3 days’ exposure. In this study, it is suggested that echinoid larvae responded to pre-industrial pCO2 levels. Ocean acidification may be affecting some sensitive marine calcifiers even at the present pCO2 level.

We used an up-to-date, a high accuracy CO2 manipulation system to investigate the sensitivity of organisms to CO2 acidification, rearing marine calcifiers under elevated CO2 in running water. We evaluated the effects of elevated partial pressures of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in seawater on larvae of the commercially important marine gastropod Ezo abalone Haliotis discus hannai. In larval Ezo abalone, no effect of exposure to

We examined the interannual variation in Neocalanus copepod biomass in the Oyashio waters in spring and summer from 1972 to 1999. In the mid-1970s, mesozooplankton biomass in spring was high; however, it decreased significantly in the late 1970s. The timing of the decrease in mesozooplankton biomass corresponded to the 1976/77 climatic regime shift. The biomass of N. flemingeri, which dominated the Neocalanus community, was roughly constant from 1980 to 1999. Although species-level estimates of Neocalanus biomass were not available for the 1970s, a previous study reported that Neocalanus copepods were the predominant mesozooplankton in the Oyashio waters in spring during the 1970s. Neocalanus copepods dominated the mesozooplankton community throughout the 1970s, and their biomass decreased in the late 1970s. Springtime net community production, an index of new production, also decreased in the late 1970s. We suggest that the reduction in new production negatively affected Neocalanus food availability, resulting decreased copepod biomass. New production may have been limited by a combination of subsurface iron supplies, increased vertical density gradient, and reduced vertical water mixing in winter, which resulted in diminished iron entrainment in winter. In summer, mesozooplankton biomass significantly decreased and increased synchronously with the 1976/77 and 1988/89 climatic regime shifts. The biomass of N. plumchrus, which dominated the Neocalanus community, was low in the 1980s and increased in the early 1990s. The biomass of the second-most dominant copepod, N. cristatus, also increased in the early 1990s. Neocalanus copepods were reported to be a dominant component of the mesozooplankton community in the 1970s; Neocalanus biomass was high in the mid-1970s and decreased in the late 1970s. Japanese sardine (Sardinops melanostictus), an important predator of Neocalanus copepods, exhibited interannual variation in standing stock that was inversely related to mesozooplankton biomass. At their peak in 1984, sardines consumed 32–138% of the daily Neocalanus production during summer. Therefore, predation pressure on Neocalanus by Japanese sardine is likely to affect interannual variation in mesozooplankton biomass during the summer.

It is well known that multicystic encephalomalacia results in a severe neurological deficit and psychomotor retardation. The authors reported the case of a 30-year-old man with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome who had multicystic encephalomalacia in CT and MRI but whose neurological deficit was not serious. It is possible that the forceps delivery caused MCE and that a vaccination against Japanese encephalitis at the age of 9 triggered the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

The clinical pictures of a left temporal lobe astrocytoma involving the hippocampal region showed a period of 27 years from ages 12 to 38 by epileptic seizures and a period of 9 years from 14 to 22 by schizophrenia-like symptoms and the following aggressive behavior during 16 years from ages 23 to 38. After a resection of the temporal lobe tumor sparing the hippocampus, transient delusions and aggressive behavior were observed. It might be considered that the hippocampus has the most suspectable relationship with the schizophrenia-like symptoms.

Summary: : To determine the primary factors responsible for the increased incidence of malformation in the offspring of antiepileptic drug (AED)-treated epileptic mothers, special attention was paid to drug combinations in a prospective study of 172 deliveries. Variables used for analysis were eight antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and total daily dosages (drug score), and seven background factors consisting of maternal age at delivery, gravida, outcome of previous pregnancy, etiology and type of epilepsy, occurrence of seizures in the first trimester of pregnancy, and seizure frequency during pregnancy. The overall rate of malformation was 14.0%. Thirty-one patients were administered a single drug, and the rate of malformation was 6.5%. The remaining 141 patients were treated with multiple AEDs, and the rate of malformation was 15.6%. The drug score of the latter group was significantly higher than the former (p = 0.01). There was no definite dose- dependent increase in the incidence of malformations associated with any individual AEDs. There was no relationship between the type of defect and individual AEDs. Wilcoxon rank-sum test revealed significant association between the drug score, valproate (VPA), and congenital malformation. Carbamazepine (CBZ) also reached an almost significant level. Furthermore, VPA polypharmacy produced the highest incidence of malformation, higher than that produced by any other AED or drug combination. There was no significant association between the presence of malformations and the other putative risk factors. These results suggest that high dose of AEDs reflecting polypharmacy, VPA polypharmacy in particular, are primary factors responsible for the increased incidence of congenital malformation in the offspring of treated epileptic mothers. RESUME Afin de determiner les facteurs primares de ľaccroissement do risque de malformation chez les enfants issus de meres egpileotiques traitees, une attention particuliee reaete portge aux associations de medicaments antigpeleptiques dans une euide prospective de 172 accouchements. Les variables suivantes ont ete analysees: 8 antiepileptiques et leur dose quotidienne totale, ainsi que 7 facteurs de contexte (age de la mere au moment de ľaccouchement, parite, resultats des grossesses anterieures, etiologie et type de ľepilepsie, survenue de crise pendant le premier trimestre de la grossesse, et frequence des crises pendant la grossesse). Le taux global de malformations a ete de 14.0%. 31 patientes recevaient une monotherapie, avec un taux de malformations de 6.5%. Les autres 141 patientes etaient traitees avec plusieurs medicaments antiepileptiques, et le taux de malformations a ete de 15.6%. Ce dernier taux est significativement plus eleve que le precedent (p = 0.01J. II n'y avait pas de dose-dependance evidente dans ľincidence des malformations en fonction des differents antiepileptiques. Il n'y avait pas de correlation entre le type de malformation et le type ďantiepileptique. Le test de Wilcoxon a revele une association significative entre le valproate (VPA) et les malformations con-genitales. La carbamazepine (CBZ) presentait une relation presque significative avec les malformations. De plus, une polymedication avec VPA a produit la plus importante incidence de malformations, supenieure a tout autreantiepileptique ou association. Il n'y a pas eu ďassociation significative entre la presence de malformations et les autres facteurs de risque possibles. Ces resultats suggerent que le traitement a doses elevees par medicaments antiepileptiques, en particulier la polytherapie au VPA, est un facteur primaire de ľaugmentation ďincidence des malformations congenitales chez les enfants issus de meres epileptiques. RESUMEN En un estudio prospectivo de 172 partos, se ha prestado atencien especial a la utilizacion de combinacion de medicamentos para determinar los factores primarios que pudieran ser respon-sables de un incremento de la incidencia de malformaciones en los recien nacidos de madres epileapticas tratadas con medicacion antiepileptica. Se han utilizado 8 medicaciones antiepilepticas como variables para determinar en este analisis (AEDs) asi como el total de las dosis utilizadas diariamente (“score” de medica-mento) y 7 factores de los antecedentes: edad de la madre en el momento del parto, numero de embarazos, resultado de los embarazos previos, etio logia y tipo de la epilepsyia, presencia de ataques en el primer trimestre del embarazo y frecuencia de los ataques durante el embarazo. El numero total de malformaciones fue de 14.0%. Treinta y un casos habian tornado solo una medicacion y el numero de malformaciones fue de 6.5%. Los restantes 141 casos habian sido tratados con multiples AEDs y el numero de malformaciones fue del 15.6%. La “score” de medi-camento de este ultimo grupo fue significativamente mas elevado que en el previo (p = 0.01). No se encontrf un incremento definitivo, dosis-dependiente, en la incidencia de las malformaciones en relacion con ningen AEDs individual. No se observo‘ ningen tipo de relation entre la clase de defecto y los AEDs individuales. El test del nivel de la suma de Wilcoxon mostro una relacion significativa entre la “score” de la medicacioan, Valproate (VPA), y la malformacion congenita. La Carbamacepina (CBZ) tambien alcanzo un nivel casi significativo. Ademas, la polifarmacia VPA produjo los mas altos niveles de incidencia de malformaciones, mas elevados que ninguna otra malformacion antiepileptica o combinacion de drogas. No se encontro asociacion significativa entre la presencia de malformaciones y la de otros factores de riesgo putativos. Estos resultados sugieren que dosis altas de medicaciones antiepilepticas que reflejan polifarmacia, en particular la polifarmacia de VPA, son los factores mas importantes responsables para el aumento de la incidencia de malformaciones congenitas en los hijos de las madres epilepticas tratadas. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Um die primar verantwortlichen Faktoren fur das erhohte Vorkommen von Fehlbildungen bei Kindern von mit Antiepilep-tika behandelten Muttern zu ermitteln, wurde in einer prospektiven Studie bei 172 Geburten der Kombination von Antiepileptika besondere Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet. Als Variable gal ten 8 Antiepileptika (AEDs), sowie tagliche Gesamtdosis (drug-score) und 7 Hintergrundfaktoren, wie Alter der Mutter, Schwangerschaft, vorherige Schwangerschaften, Atiologie und Typ der Epilepsie, Auftreten von Anfallen im ersten Trimester der Schwangerschaft und Anfallshafigkeit wahrend der Schwanger-schaft. Die Gesamtrate der Fehlbildungen lag bei 14.0%. Bei Patienten mit Monotherapie lagen die Fehlbildungen bei 6.5%. Die verbliebenen 141 Falle erhielten eine Kombinationstherapie und boten in 15.6% Fehlbildungen. Bei dieser Gruppe lag der drug-score wesentlich hoher als bei der ersten Gruppe (p = 0.01). Ein eindeutiger dosis-abhangiger Anstieg von Malformationen mit irgendeinem Antiepileptikum konnte nicht gefunden werden. Ferner bestand keine Beziehung zwischen Typ des Defekts und Antiepileptika. Der Wilcoxon-Test zeigte signifikante Assoziationen zwischen dem drug-score von Valproat und con-genitalen Fehlbildungen. Auch Carbamazepin erreichte eine fast signifikante Ḧone. Weiterhin bewirkte die Valproat-Kombination die hochste Malformationsrate–hoher als irgendeine andere Kombination oder ein einzelnes Antiepileptikum. Es bestand keine signifikante Korrelation zwischen Auftreten von Fehlbildungen und den anderen Risikofaktoren. Die Ergenisse lassen vermuten, daβ hohe Dosen von Antiepileptika im Sinne der Polypharmazie, besonders Valproat, fur das erhote Auftreten von Fehlbildungen verantwortlich sind bei Kindern von antiepileptisch behandelten Muttern.

Summary: A multi-institutional collaborative study was conducted concerning the course of pregnancy and delivery and the incidence of abnormal infants delivered of epileptic women. Of 657 women receiving antiepileptic drugs, 73% delivered live infants, 14% had miscarriage or stillbirth, and 13% underwent induced abortion. In contrast to the above findings, 80% of 162 patients not receiving antiepileptic drugs delivered live infants and 4% had miscarriage or stillbirth. The latter outcome was significantly increased in the medicated patients. In this series, 63 (9.9%) of 638 live births were malformed, 55 (11.5%) being from medicated mothers and 3 (2.3%) from nonmedicated mothers. The incidence of fetal malformation in medicated mothers was thus five times as high as that in nonmedicated mothers. Cleft lip and/or palate and malformations involving the cardiovascular system were found frequently in the infants from medicated mothers. General background factors that might exert teratogenic effects on pregnant patients with epilepsy were studied, and the potential toxicity of antiepileptic drugs to the fetus was also analyzed. In this regard, consideration should be given to whether the patient has partial epileptic seizures, whether the patient herself exhibits any malformation, or whether her previous pregnancy resulted in an abnormal outcome. The incidence of fetal malformation was the highest (12.7%) in the medicated patients who had epileptic seizures during the pregnancy. It is presumed on the basis of the results of analysis of the data that a combination of more than three drugs and a daily dose greater than a certain minimal level is likely to produce malformed infants. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG In vielen Institutionen wurde eine kollaborative Studie uber den Verlauf der Schwangerschaft, der Geburt und die Haufigkeit von Abnormitaten bei Kin-dern von Schwangeren mit Epilepsie durchgefuhrt. 73% der 657 Frauen unter antiepileptischer Therapie bekamen lebende Kinder, 14% hatte eine Fehl- oder Totgeburt und bei 13% wurde ein Abort eingeleitet ImGegensatz zu diesen Ergebnissen hatten 80% von 162 Patienten ohne Antiepileptica Lebendgeburten, 4% eine Fehloder Totgeburt. Die letztere war signifikant hoher bei den Patientinnen, die Antiepileptica erhielten. In dieser Serie waren 63 von 638 Lebendgeburten (9.9%) miRbildet, 55 (1 1.5%) stammten von therapier-ten Muttern, 3 (2,3)%) von nicht therapierten Muttern. Die Haufigkeit fetaler Fehlbildungen bei therapierten war 5mal hoher als bei nicht therapierten Muttern. Lippen- und/oder Gaumenspalte und MiRbildungen im kardiovaskularen Bereich wurden haufig bei Kindern therapierter Mutter gefunden. Die allgemeinen Hintergrundsfaktoren, die einen teratogenen EinfluR auf Schwangere mit Epilepsie ausuben konnten, wurden untersucht und die mogliche Toxicitat der Antiepileptica auf den Fetus analysiert. In diesen Untersuchungen sollte berucksichtigt werden, ob der Patient fokale epileptische Anfalle hat, o b e r selbst eine MiDbildung hat oder ob fruhere Schwangerschaften abnorm endeten. Die Haufigkeit der fetalen Fehlbildungen war am groRten (12.7%) bei therapiertenPatienten, die epileptische Anfalle wahrend der Schwangerschaft bekamen. Aufgrund dieser Resultate wird angenommen, daR die Kombination von mehr als 3 Medikamenten und eine tagliche Dosierung oberhalb eines Grenzwertes wahrscheinlich zu fehlgebildeten Kindern fuhren.