Declines in sex ratio at birth and fetal deaths in Japan, and in U.S. whites but not African Americans.

Background: The expected ratio of male to female births is generally believed to be 1.05, also described as the male proportion of 0.515.

[Estimation of the asymptomatic latent period of alveolar hydatidosis in patients infected in foreign endemic areas].

Alveolar hydatidosis (AH) is a parasitic disease with an extremely long latent period which has an important role in the endemic of human AH. The individual and average latent periods of human AH were estimated from the case histories of 19 male patients who were infected in foreign endemic areas and diagnosed surgically and pathologically as having AH after returning to Honshu, mainland of Japan. The beginning (A) and the end (C) of stay in foreign endemic areas of AH, and the midpoint (B) between (A) and (C), the time of onset of symptoms (D) and death (E) of AH were determined in the case reports.

[Cystic hydatidosis--its occurrence and prevention in Japan].

The history of cystic hydatidosis (CH) in Japan is reviewed on the basis of case reports and other references during the period from 1881 to 2003. A total of 76 cases were identified as CH patients in Japan of which 47 were reported prior to 1945 and 29 thereafter. The occurrence was divided into 2 stages before and after the Slaughterhouse Act that was brought into force in 1906.

A model for the transmission of Echinococcus multilocularis in Hokkaido, Japan.

A mathematical model for Echinococcus multilocularis transmission would be useful for estimating its prevalence and determining control strategies. We propose a mathematical model which quantitatively describes the transmission of E. multilocularis in Hokkaido, Japan.

Dioxin-like potencies and extractable organohalogens (EOX) in medical, municipal and domestic waste incinerator ashes in Japan.

Ash samples collected from medical, municipal and small-scale domestic incinerators in Japan were tested for dioxin-like activity using bioassay technique (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase: EROD assay) and for extractable organohalogens (EOX) using instrumental neutron activation analysis in order to estimate potential toxicity and responsible chemicals in those samples. Crude extracts and fractions cleaned-up for dioxin analysis from the samples were used for the analysis. The ranges of dioxins in the ashes were between 2.

[Possibility of invasion of Echinococcus into Honshu with pet dogs from Hokkaido and overseas].

Purpose: The number of pet dogs moving with their owners to Honshu, the main island of Japan, from Hokkaido, and the number of dogs imported from overseas were examined, and the possibility of invasion of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus with these dogs was discussed.

Methods: The number of pet dogs moving to Honshu-island from Hokkaido was examined with the movement notifications based on the Rabies Prevention Act in 29 prefectures during the period from 1996 to 2001.

[Relationship between activities of daily living and residential environment for patients receiving home oxygen therapy].

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between ADL and residential environment for patients receiving home oxygen therapy.

Methods: We interviewed 27 HOT patients with chronic respiratory failure, aged 53-85, at an internal medicine outpatient clinic of a national hospital in Yokohama city, using a questionnaire focusing on physical condition, dyspnea, ADL, and residential environment.

Results: 1.

[How can we prevent alveolar echinococcosis? Ecosystem and risk management viewpoints].

Purpose: This article focuses on understanding epidemiological features of alveolar echinococcosis and discussing its prevention and control, especially from a viewpoint of the ecosystem and risk management.

Method: Publications on alveolar echinococcosis throughout the world were systematically reviewed with special reference to ecology, epidemiology and countermeasures.

Results: Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by accidental infection with larva of the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis is fatal to humans unless diagnosed at an early stage.