Phase Structure of Gauge Theories on an Interval

We discuss gauge symmetry breaking in a general framework of gauge theories on an interval. We first derive a possible set of boundary conditions for a scalar field, which are compatible with several consistency requirements. It is shown that with these boundary conditions the scalar field can acquire a nontrivial vacuum expectation value even if the scalar mass square is positive. Any nonvanishing vacuum expectation value cannot be a constant but, in general, depends on the extra dimensional coordinate of the interval. The phase diagram of broken/unbroken gauge symmetry possesses a rich structure in the parameter space of the length of the interval, the scalar mass and the boundary conditions. We also discuss 4d chiral fermions and fermion mass hierarchies in our gauge symmetry breaking scenario.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figure

Household smoking and dental caries in schoolchildren: the Ryukyus Child Health Study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) is perhaps one of the most important toxic exposures in childhood. However, epidemiological studies on the relation between SHSe and dental caries are limited and have yielded inconsistent results. The present cross-sectional study examined the potential association between SHSe at home and the prevalence of dental caries in children.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Subjects were 20,703 schoolchildren aged 6 to 15 years in Okinawa, Japan. Information on SHSe at home and potential confounding factors was obtained through questionnaires. Data on dental caries were obtained from school records. Children were classified as having decayed and/or filled teeth (DFT) if a dentist diagnosed these conditions. Additionally, we analyzed decayed teeth (DT) and filled teeth (FT) separately. Adjustment was made for sex, age, region of residence, toothbrushing frequency, use of fluoride, sugar intake, and paternal and maternal educational level.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of DFT was 82.0%. Compared with never smoking in the household, former and current household smoking were independently associated with an increased prevalence of DFT (adjusted prevalence ratios [95% confidence intervals] for former household smoking and current light and heavy household smoking were 1.03 [1.00-1.05], 1.04 [1.02-1.05], and 1.04 [1.03-1.06], respectively); when analyzed separately there was an increased prevalence of DT (adjusted prevalence ratios [95% confidence intervals] for former household smoking and current light and heavy household smoking were 1.06 [1.02-1.11], 1.10 [1.06-1.13], and 1.10 [1.07-1.14], respectively) but not FT. A statistically significant dose-response relationship between cumulative smoking in the household and the prevalence of DFT and DT (<it>P </it>for trend < 0.0001), but not FT, was observed. In an analysis of 2 subgroups, subjects who had at least 1 deciduous tooth and subjects who had at least 1 permanent tooth, household smoking exposure was associated with an increased prevalence of DFT and DT not only in those with deciduous but also those with permanent dentition.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings suggested that household smoking might be associated with an increased prevalence of dental caries in children.</p

Monetary Diet Cost is Associated with not only Favorable but also Unfavorable Aspects of Diet in Pregnant Japanese Women: The Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study

While several observational studies in European countries have shown that higher monetary diet cost is associated with healthier diets, information on the relationship of cost to diet quality in other countries is sparse, including Japan. This cross-sectional study examined the association between monetary diet cost and dietary intake in a group of pregnant Japanese women. Subjects were 596 pregnant Japanese housewives. Dietary intake was estimated using a validated, self-administered, comprehensive diet history questionnaire. Monetary diet cost was calculated using retail food prices. Values of monetary diet cost and nutrient and food intake were energy-adjusted using the density method. Monetary diet cost was associated positively with the intake of protein, total fat, saturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamins A, D, E, C, and folate, and inversely with that of carbohydrate. For foods, cost was associated positively with the intake of potatoes, pulses and nuts, fish and shellfish, meat, dairy products, vegetables, and fruits, and inversely with that of rice and bread. No association was seen for noodles, confectioneries and sugars, fats and oils, or eggs. Cost was also associated inversely with dietary energy density. In conclusion, monetary diet cost was associated with not only favorable aspects of diet, including a higher intake of dietary fiber, key vitamins and minerals, fruits, and vegetables and lower dietary energy density, but also unfavorable aspects, including a higher intake of fat and sodium and lower intake of carbohydrate and rice, in a group of pregnant Japanese women

BMI mediates the association between low educational level and higher blood pressure during pregnancy in Japan

BACKGROUND: Research investigating the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and blood pressure (BP) during pregnancy is limited and its underlying pathway is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediators of the association between educational level as an indicator of the SES and BP in early and mid-pregnancy among Japanese women. METHODS: Nine hundred and twenty-three pregnant women in whom BP was measured before 16 weeks and at 20 weeks of gestation were enrolled in this study. Maternal educational levels were categorized into three groups: high (university or higher), mid (junior college), and low (junior high school, high school, or vocational training school). RESULTS: The low educational group had higher systolic (low vs. high, difference = 2.39 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59 to 4.19) and diastolic BP levels (low vs. high, difference = 0.74 mmHg, 95% CI: –0.52 to 1.99) in early pregnancy. However, the same associations were not found after adjustment for pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). BP reduction was observed in mid-pregnancy in all three educational groups and there was no association between educational level and pregnancy-induced hypertension. CONCLUSION: In Japanese women, the low educational group showed higher BP during pregnancy than the mid or high educational groups. Pre-pregnancy BMI mediates the association between educational level and BP

An artifice in the insertion of the Hickman catheter in small children

Although the Hickman catheter is commonly used in pediatric patients, it is difficult to place this catheter safely in small children, especially infants. A multiple-step method, starting with a thinner catheter, makes the placement easier and safer.Keywords: central venous catheter, children, Hickman cathete

Development of a new screening tool for neuromotor development in children aged two – the neuromotor 5 min exam 2-year-old version (N5E2)

Acknowledgement This study is a part of the project related to the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) that is conducted and funded by the Ministry of Environment of Japan.Peer reviewedPostprin

Japanese guidelines for atopic dermatitis 2020.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a disease characterized by relapsing eczema with pruritus as a primary lesion, which is frequently encountered in clinical practice. Skin barrier dysfunction leads to enhanced skin irritability to non-specific stimuli and epicutaneous sensitization. In the lesion site, a further inflammation-related reduction in skin barrier function, enhanced irritability and scratching-related stimuli deteriorate eczema, leading to vicious cycle of inflammation. The current strategies to treat AD in Japan from the perspective of evidence-based medicine consist of three primary measures: (i) the use of topical corticosteroids and tacrolimus ointment as the main treatment for the inflammation; (ii) topical application of emollients to treat the cutaneous barrier dysfunction; and (iii) avoidance of apparent exacerbating factors, psychological counseling and advice about daily life. The guidelines present recommendations to review clinical research articles, evaluate the balance between the advantages and disadvantages of medical activities, and optimize medical activity-related patient outcomes with respect to several important points requiring decision-making in clinical practice

乳児期早期における鶏卵、牛乳アレルゲン特異的免疫グロブリンのクラススイッチを伴うアイソタイプ形成経過と、湿疹による低親和性、高親和性の抗原特異的IgE抗体の形成

Introduction: Allergen‐specific immunoglobulin isotype formation associated with immunoglobulin class‐switching during the lactation period is the immunological background for food allergy in infants. We analyzed the serial changes in the production of feeding type‐related egg‐ and milk‐specific immunoglobulin isotypes from birth to 6 months of age with or without eczema in 84 infants. Methods: Allergen‐specific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1), IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, and IgE levels of hen’s egg and bovine milk were measured in cord blood and blood samples from infants at 2, 4, and 6 months of age by the densely carboxylated protein microarray. Results: Formula and mixed feeding were associated with a rapid increase in cow’s milk allergen‐specific immunoglobulins and feeding type‐related significant differences in casein‐specific immunoglobulin levels were detected. Breast and mixed feeding were associated with slow but significant increase in ovalbumin‐specific IgG1 and IgE levels, but not other immunoglobulins. We found two different immunoglobulin isotype formation at 6 months of age with low‐ or high‐affinity IgE against ovalbumin. One isotype formation pattern had relatively high ovalbumin‐specific IgG1 levels, detectable IgG2, and low‐affinity IgE, while the other had low ovalbumin‐specific IgG1 levels, undetectable IgG2, and high levels of high‐affinity IgE. The incidence of eczema was significantly higher in the latter pattern (84.6%), compared with the remaining infants (42.2%). Conclusions: Feeding practice‐related allergen sensitization and immunoglobulin isotype formation were identified during the lactation period. The development of eczema during the lactation period could potentially modify the immunoglobulin isotype formation with high levels of high‐affinity IgE

Early aggressive intervention for infantile atopic dermatitis to prevent development of food allergy : a multicenter, investigator‑blinded, randomized, parallel group controlled trial (PACI Study) : protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Atopic dermatitis is the first clinical manifestation of the atopic march, with the highest incidence in the first year of life. Those affected often go on to develop other allergic diseases including food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Recent evidence suggests that sensitization to foods may occur through a defective skin barrier which is common in atopic dermatitis in early life. We hypothesize that therapeutic aggressive intervention to treat new onset atopic dermatitis may prevent the development of later allergen sensitization, and associated food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Methods: This study is a multi-center, pragmatic, two-parallel group, assessor-blind, superiority, individually randomized controlled trial. Atopic dermatitis infants (N = 650) 7–13 weeks old who develop an itchy rash within the previous 28 days are randomly assigned to the aggressive treatment or the conventional treatment in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome is oral food challenge-proven IgE-mediated hen’s egg allergy at the age of 28 weeks. Discussion: This is a novel pragmatic RCT study to examine the efficacy of early aggressive treatment for atopic dermatitis to prevent later food allergy. If our hypothesis is correct, we hope that such a strategy might impact on disease prevention in countries where food allergy is common, and that our results might reduce the frequency and associated costs of all food allergies as well as hens egg food allergy. Long-term follow and other similar studies will help to determine whether such a strategy will reduce the burden of other allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis

Association between pre-pregnancy weight status and dietary patterns during pregnancy: results from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study

Abstract Objective: Pre-pregnancy weight status is related to offspring health and may influence dietary patterns during pregnancy. We aimed to evaluate the link between pre-pregnancy weight status and dietary patterns during pregnancy. Design: Dietary data were collected using a FFQ during middle or late pregnancy. Dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis. Anthropometric data were extracted from medical charts. Multiple linear regression was used to assess associations between pre-pregnancy weight status (severely or moderately underweight, mildly underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese) and dietary patterns during pregnancy after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics. Setting: Nationwide Japan. Participants: Pregnant Japanese women enrolled in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, a prospective birth cohort study (n 90 765). Results: We identified three dietary patterns. Compared with women with pre-pregnancy normal weight, those with pre-pregnancy obesity were less likely to habitually consume ‘fruits and vegetables’ pattern (coefficient, –0·18; 95 % CI, –0·21, –0·14) and ‘confectionery’ pattern (coefficient, –0·18; 95 % CI, –0·21, –0·14) and more likely to consume ‘white rice and soy products’ pattern (coefficient, 0·08; 95 % CI, 0·04, 0·11), and those with severely or moderately pre-pregnancy underweight were more likely to consume ‘confectionery’ pattern (coefficient, 0·06; 95 % CI, 0·03, 0·09) during pregnancy, after adjusting for confounders. Conclusion: We found that moderately and severely pre-pregnancy underweight women and those with obesity had unhealthy dietary patterns compared to those with pre-pregnancy normal weight. Our findings suggest that prenatal dietary advice is important and should be based on the pre-pregnancy weight status