Cord blood CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells fail to inhibit cord blood NK cell functions due to insufficient production and expression of TGF-beta1.

Although CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg (Treg) cells are known to modulate NK cell functions, the modulation mechanism of these cells in cord blood has not been fully clarified. The purpose of this study was to clarify the mechanism whereby cord blood Treg cells modulate cord NK cells. By performing various cultures of purified NK cells with or without autologous Treg cells, diminished inhibitory effects of cord Treg cells towards cord NK cell functions, including activation, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity, were observed.

Single chirality extraction of single-wall carbon nanotubes for the encapsulation of organic molecules.

The hollow inner spaces of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can confine various types of molecules. Many remarkable phenomena have been observed inside SWCNTs while encapsulating organic molecules (peapods). However, a mixed electronic structure state of the surrounding SWCNTs has impeded a detailed understanding of the physical/chemical properties of peapods and their device applications.

Mission in Sukusuku cohort, Mie: focusing on the feasibility and validity of methods for enrolling and retaining participants.

Background: We investigated the feasibility and validity of and systematized the methods used to enroll and retain participants requiring long-term interdisciplinary collaborations. We carried out this study in the Sukusuku cohort, Mie (SCM), as one of the regional research site of Japan Children's Study (JCS).

Methods: A total of 467 families who were screened between December 1, 2004 and December 31, 2005, in the Mie-chuo Medical Center and 2 other hospitals; these families were deemed eligible for the study.

Infant responses to maternal still face at 9 months predict social abilities at 18 months.

Background: This study investigated developmental change and stability in infant responses to the still-face (SF) situation, as well as predictive validity at age 18 months, focusing on autonomy and responsiveness.

Methods: A total of 231 children (117 boys and 114 girls) and their Japanese mothers were observed in a face-to-face SF situation at two infant ages (4 and 9 months), as well as a caregiver-child teaching interaction at age 18 months. Each infant's facial expression, gaze direction, and vocalization were coded according to the SF paradigm, including the Natural Interaction (NI) and SF phases.

Mission in Sukusuku cohort, Mie: a study focusing on the characteristics of participants and the mental health of the mothers raising children.

Background: We carried out Sukusuku cohort, Mie (SCM), a long term cohort study of child development and investigated the feasibility and validity of this study. Then we focused on the characteristics of the enrolled families and verified the representativeness of the participants in SCM.

Methods: The characteristics of 185 families recruited from 3 hospitals were analyzed, and we verified the representativeness of these subjects.

Developmental trends in mother-infant interaction from 4-months to 42-months: using an observation technique.

Background: It is clear that early social interaction follows from mother-infant interaction after pregnancy. Many researchers have illuminated this interaction in the first years of life. Most common mother-infant interaction is the attachment behavior of an infant.

Behavioral characteristics of children with high functioning pervasive developmental disorders during a game.

Background: To evaluate children's sociability through their behavior, we compared the motion features of children with high functioning pervasive developmental disorders (HFPDD) and typical development (TD) during a game. We selected 'Jenga' as the game because this is an interactive game played by two people.

Methods: We observed the behavior of 7 children with HFPDD and 10 children with TD.

Contribution of parenting factors to the developmental attainment of 9-month-old infants: results from the Japan Children's Study.

Background: Child development integrates several interdependent domains, but few studies have attempted to identify the common factors that contribute to these different domains of development in infancy. The aim of the present study was to identify the factors that contribute to several domains of developmental attainment in 9-month-old infants.

Methods: We used data from the Japan Children's Study, a prospective cohort study underway in Japan since 2005.

Cerebral oxygenation responses during kangaroo care in low birth weight infants.

Background: Kangaroo care (KC) has been widely using to improve the care of low birth weight infants. However, very little is known about cerebral hemodynamics responses in low birth weight infants during KC intervention. The objective of this study was to elucidate the response of cerebral hemodynamics during KC in low birth weight infants.

Infant responses to maternal still-face at 4 and 9 months.

This study investigated developmental changes in infant responses to maternal still-face (SF) situations. Infants (21 males and 25 females) of Japanese mothers were observed in a face-to-face SF paradigm, comprising four phases (normal/SF/normal/SF), at two infant ages (4 and 9 months). The infants' facial expression, gaze direction, and vocalization were coded in both SF and normal interaction conditions.

Emergence of physiological rhythmicity in term and preterm neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: Biological rhythmicity, particularly circadian rhythmicity, is considered to be a key mechanism in the maintenance of physiological function. Very little is known, however, about biological rhythmicity pattern in preterm and term neonates in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). In this study, we investigated whether term and preterm neonates admitted to NICU exhibit biological rhythmicity during the neonatal period.