Fetal Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities in Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection Associated with and without Fetal Growth Restriction

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) can cause fetal growth restriction (FGR) and severe sequelae in affected infants. Clinicians generally suspect cCMV based on multiple ultrasound (US) findings associated with cCMV. However, no studies have assessed the diagnostic accuracy of fetal US for cCMV-associated abnormalities in FGR. Eight FGR and 10 non-FGR fetuses prenatally diagnosed with cCMV were examined by undergoing periodic detailed US examinations, as well as postnatal physical and imaging examinations. The diagnostic accuracy of prenatal US for cCMV-associated abnormalities was compared between FGR and non-FGR fetuses with cCMV. The diagnostic sensitivity rates of fetal US for cCMV-related abnormalities in FGR vs. non-FGR fetuses were as follows: ventriculomegaly, 66.7% vs. 88.9%; intracranial calcification, 20.0% vs. 20.0%; cysts and pseudocysts in the brain, 0% vs. 0%; ascites, 100.0% vs. 100.0%; hepatomegaly, 40.0% vs. 100.0%; splenomegaly, 0% vs. 0%. The diagnostic sensitivity of fetal US for hepatomegaly and ventriculomegaly in FGR fetuses with cCMV was lower than that in non-FGR fetuses with cCMV. The prevalence of severe long-term sequelae (e.g., bilateral hearing impairment, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and severe developmental delay) in the CMV-infected fetuses with FGR was higher, albeit non-significantly. Clinicians should keep in mind the possibility of overlooking the symptoms of cCMV in assessing fetuses with FGR

ZONING FOR LIQUEFACTION AND DAMAGE TO PORT AND HARBOR FACILITIES AND OTHERS DURING THE 2005 FUKUOKA-KEN SEIHO-OKI EARTHQUAKE

On March 20, 2005, an earthquake of magnitude 7.0, which was named as the 2005 Fukuoka-ken Seiho-oki Earthquake, occurred in the northwest part of Fukuoka City. During the earthquake, liquefaction occurred mainly in the reclaimed lands of the Hakata Bay area, resulting in structural damage. In this paper, the distribution of the sites where liquefaction occurred and the characteristics of the gradation of sand boils collected at the sites were clarified. Further, the occurrence of liquefaction in the reclaimed land was discussed with reference to some instances, and structural damages, mainly to port and harbor facilities, and a flow failure of sloping ground due to liquefaction were summarized. Furthermore, liquefaction analysis was performed using a program for one-dimensional seismic response analysis and several soil profiles of the reclaimed land and alluvial ground in order to investigate the relationship between the occurrence of liquefaction and the distribution of acceleration; this was estimated from the analyses and the mechanical and physical properties of the soils

ZONING FOR LIQUEFACTION AND DAMAGE TO PORT AND HARBOR FACILITIES AND OTHERS DURING THE 2005 FUKUOKA-KEN SEIHO-OKI EARTHQUAKE

On March 20, 2005, an earthquake of magnitude 7.0, which was named as the 2005 Fukuoka-ken Seiho-oki Earthquake, occurred in the northwest part of Fukuoka City. During the earthquake, liquefaction occurred mainly in the reclaimed lands of the Hakata Bay area, resulting in structural damage. In this paper, the distribution of the sites where liquefaction occurred and the characteristics of the gradation of sand boils collected at the sites were clarified. Further, the occurrence of liquefaction in the reclaimed land was discussed with reference to some instances, and structural damages, mainly to port and harbor facilities, and a flow failure of sloping ground due to liquefaction were summarized. Furthermore, liquefaction analysis was performed using a program for one-dimensional seismic response analysis and several soil profiles of the reclaimed land and alluvial ground in order to investigate the relationship between the occurrence of liquefaction and the distribution of acceleration; this was estimated from the analyses and the mechanical and physical properties of the soils