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We conducted an online national survey using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) on 42,880 people in Japan to identify gambling addiction prevalence differences with regard to gambling type and region. This study included 14,780 individuals (valid responses) who engaged in gambling activities in the past year. There was a large difference in mean SOGS score by gambling type: public gambling and casinos score ≈ 4.0, whereas lotteries (including numbers, etc.) ≈ 1.43. SOGS scores were much higher for those who participated in more than one gambling type than for those who participated in only one type. Regional differences in SOGS scores were also confirmed, with more populous prefectures having lower and less populous having higher SOGS scores. Integrating SOGS scores with existing data concerning hobbies and recreational behaviors across regions indicated that regions characterized by lower SOGS scores were also characterized by greater activity for hobbies and recreational behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no consensus on which parental socioeconomic indicators should be used to define adolescents' socioeconomic status (SES). Utilising the data for 3154 parent-adolescent pairs obtained from the sample of the Survey of Lifestyle Value of Parents and Children 2011 conducted by the Cabinet Office in Japan, the associations between adolescent's subjective economic status, parental SES (i.e. education, occupation, and household income), and child health-related outcomes (i.e. self-rated health, dietary and oral health behaviours) were analysed using multilevel mixed-effects ordered logistic regression to investigate heterogeneity in these relationships across SES indicators and health outcome measures. Results demonstrated that income was the strongest predictor of adolescent health outcomes, suggesting that adolescents in the middle- or high-income groups tended to report better health status compared to the low-income group, have a higher frequency of having breakfast, and more likely to regularly brush their teeth by 24% (OR 1.24, 95% CI [1.06–1.46]) to 66% (OR 1.66, 95% CI [1.30–2.12]). Parental education was also related to child health-related behaviours, with higher levels of habitual healthy behaviours being observed in the middle- and high-education groups than in the low-education group by 15% (OR 1.15, 95% CI [1.01–1.32]) to 63% (OR 1.63, 95% CI [1.31–2.03]). Future studies regarding health disparities among children/adolescents should carefully choose an SES indicator, taking multiple pathways between each SES indicator and health/health behaviours into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eye-tracking to evaluate gaze patterns has developed as an assessment tool for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Gazefinder is one of Eye-tracking devices and few studies have investigated whether it can measure the gaze data of infants under 12 months of age. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study from April 2019 to March 2020 in a periodic health checkup in Ohchi County, Shimane, Japan. Participants included infants between 4 and 11 months of age who were not suspected the presence of developmental problems. Ninety-three participants' datapoints were analyzed. The mean age was 6.5 months and mean developmental quotient was 88%. The mean fixation time percentage of all sequences was 81.0% (standard deviation; 4.4), and there was no significant difference in each age group. Infants in all groups showed a significantly higher predilection for eyes than for mouths. There was a positive association of age with human gaze and a negative association with geometric gaze. Moreover, we confirmed that joint attention skills were enhanced in accordance with their growth process. The eye-tracking data were almost corresponding to previous studies' data of infant with typical development and Gazefinder could be applied to infants starting at 4 months of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we describe a partial hadrosaurid skeleton from the marine Maastrichtian Kita-ama Formation in Japan as a new taxon, Yamatosaurus izanagii gen. et sp. nov., based on unique characters in the dentition. Our phylogenetic analysis demonstrates Yamatosaurus izanagii belongs to Hadrosauridae, composed of Hadrosaurus foulkii + (Yamatosaurus izanagii + (Saurolophinae + Lambeosaurinae)). The coracoid lacks a biceps tubercle as in non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroids, suggesting its presence is a key feature for the clade of Saurolophinae and Lambeosaurinae. The evolutionary rates analysis further supports that shoulder and forelimb features, which are likely to have been involved in locomotion, were important for the early evolution of Hadrosauridae. Our biogeographic analyses show that basal hadrosaurids were widely distributed in Asia and Appalachia, that the clade of Saurolophinae and Lambeosaurinae originated in Asia, and that eastern Asia may have served as a refugium of relict hadrosauroid taxa such as Plesiohadros djadokhtaensis, Tanius sinensis, and Yamatosaurus izanagii during the Late Cretaceous. The contemporaneous occurrence of basal (Yamatosaurus izanagii) and derived (Kamuysaurus japonicus) hadrosaurids during the Maastrichtian in Japan is the first record in Asia. Because of the long geographical distance between these localities, they likely did not co-exist, but instead demonstrate some level of provinciality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines long-term ocean pH data to evaluate ocean acidification (OA) trends at two coastal research institutions located on the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean. These laboratories are located away from the influences of large rivers and major industrial activity. Measurements were performed daily for the past 30 years (1980s–2010s). The average annual ocean pH for both sites showed generally negative trends. These trends were – 0.0032 and – 0.0068 year–1 (p < 0.001) at the Sea of Japan and Pacific Ocean sites, respectively. The trends were superimposed onto approximately 10-year oscillations, which appear to synchronize with the ocean current periodicity. At the Sea of Japan site, the ocean pH in the summer was higher, and the rate of OA was higher than during other seasons. Our results suggest that seasonality and ocean currents influence OA in the coastal areas of open oceans and can affect the coastal regions of marginal seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploiting the SIQR model for COVID-19, I show that the wavy infection curve in Japan is the result of fluctuation of policy on isolation measure imposed by the government and obeyed by citizens. Assuming the infection coefficient be a two-valued function of the number of daily confirmed new cases, I show that when the removal rate of infected individuals is between these two values, the wavy infection curve is self-organized. On the basis of the infection curve, I classify the outbreak of COVID-19 into five types and show that these differences can be related to the relative magnitude of the transmission coefficient and the quarantine rate of infected individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying causative genes for a target trait in conifer reproduction is challenging for species lacking whole-genome sequences. In this study, we searched for the male-sterility gene (MS1) in Cryptomeria japonica, aiming to promote marker-assisted selection (MAS) of male-sterile C. japonica to reduce the pollinosis caused by pollen dispersal from artificial C. japonica forests in Japan. We searched for mRNA sequences expressed in male strobili and found the gene CJt020762, coding for a lipid transfer protein containing a 4-bp deletion specific to male-sterile individuals. We also found a 30-bp deletion by sequencing the entire gene of another individual with the ms1. All nine breeding materials with the allele ms1 had either a 4-bp or 30-bp deletion in gene CJt020762, both of which are expected to result in faulty gene transcription and function. Furthermore, the 30-bp deletion was detected from three of five individuals in the Ishinomaki natural forest. From our findings, CJt020762 was considered to be the causative gene of MS1. Thus, by performing MAS using two deletion mutations as a DNA marker, it will be possible to find novel breeding materials of C. japonica with the allele ms1 adapted to the unique environment of each region of the Japanese archipelago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have measured artificial radionuclides, such as 90Sr and 137Cs, in atmospheric depositions since 1957 in Japan. We observed the variations in 90Sr and 137Cs, which were emitted from atmospheric nuclear tests and nuclear power plant accidents, due to their diffusion, deposition, and resuspension. In March 2011, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident occurred in Japan, and significant increases in 90Sr and 137Cs were detected at our main site in Tsukuba, Ibaraki. Our continual observations revealed that the 137Cs monthly deposition rate in 2018 declined to ~ 1/8100 of the peak level, but it remained more than ~ 400 times higher than that before the accident. Chemical analysis suggested that dust particles were the major carriers of 90Sr and 137Cs during the resuspension period at our main site. Presently, the effective half-life for 137Cs deposition due to radioactive decay and other environmental factors is 4.7 years. The estimation suggests that approximately 42 years from 2011 are required to reduce the atmospheric 137Cs deposition to a state similar to that before the accident. The current 90Sr deposition, on the other hand, shows the preaccident seasonal variation, and it has returned to the same radioactive level as that before the accident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To monitor and manage biodiversity, surrogate species (i.e., indicator, umbrella and flagship species) have been proposed where conservation resources are focused on a limited number of focal organisms. Using data obtained from 78 sites across six rivers in the mainland Japan and the Amami-Oshima Island, we demonstrate that two anguillids – the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) and the giant mottled eel (A. marmorata) – can act as surrogate species for conservation of freshwater biodiversity. Anguillid eels were the widest topographically-distributed species ranging from near the mouth to the upper reaches of rivers. Moreover, stable isotopic analyses indicated that eels are likely one of the highest-order predators in freshwater ecosystems. A significant positive relationship was found between the density of eels and the number of other diadromous species collected. However, the optimal models revealed that both the density of eels and the number of other diadromous species were significantly negatively correlated with distance from the river mouth and cumulative height of trans-river structures from the river mouth to each site. This suggests the positive relationship between eel density and number of other diadromous species was indirect and related to river-ocean connectivity. Given their catadromous life-cycle, and global commercial and cultural importance, as a taxa, anguillid eels can act as indicator, umbrella and flagship species, and a comprehensive surrogate for conservation of freshwater biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysregulation of the gut microbiome is associated with dementia. However, the relationship between microbiome-associated metabolites and dementia has yet to be identified. Outpatients visiting a memory clinic in Japan enrolled in this cross-sectional study; 107 subjects were eligible for the study, 25 of which had dementia. We collected demographics, activities of daily living, risk factors, cognitive function, and brain imaging data. The gut microbiome was assessed using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Concentrations of faecal metabolite were measured. We used multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify whether metabolites were independently related to dementia. The concentrations of metabolites were significantly different between subjects with and those without dementia. Every 1 standard deviation increment in faecal ammonia concentration was associated with around a 1.6-fold risk for the presence of dementia. A higher faecal lactic acid concentration was related to a lower risk of dementia, by around 60%. A combination of higher faecal ammonia and lactic acid concentrations was indicative of the presence of dementia, and had a similar predictive value as traditional biomarkers of dementia. Thus, faecal ammonia and lactic acid are related to dementia, independently of the other risk factors for dementia and dysregulation of the gut microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal influenza epidemics are associated with various meteorological factors. Recently absolute humidity (AH) has garnered attention, and some epidemiological studies show an association between AH and human influenza infection. However, they mainly analyzed weekly surveillance data, and daily data remains largely unexplored despite its potential benefits. In this study, we analyze daily influenza surveillance data using a distributed lag non-linear model to examine the association of AH with the number of influenza cases and the magnitude of the association. Additionally, we investigate how adjustment for seasonality and autocorrelation in the model affect results. All models used in the study showed a significant increase in the number of influenza cases as AH decreased, although the magnitude of the association differed substantially by model. Furthermore, we found that relative risk reached a peak at lag 10–14 with extremely low AH. To verify these findings, further analysis should be conducted using data from other locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japan Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Database (J-CKD-DB) is a large-scale, nation-wide registry based on electronic health record (EHR) data from participating university hospitals. Using a standardized exchangeable information storage, the J-CKD-DB succeeded to efficiently collect clinical data of CKD patients across hospitals despite their different EHR systems. CKD was defined as dipstick proteinuria ≥1+ and/or estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 base on both out- and inpatient laboratory data. As an initial analysis, we analyzed 39,121 CKD outpatients (median age was 71 years, 54.7% were men, median eGFR was 51.3 mL/min/1.73 m2) and observed that the number of patients with a CKD stage G1, G2, G3a, G3b, G4 and G5 were 1,001 (2.6%), 2,612 (6.7%), 23,333 (59.6%), 8,357 (21.4%), 2,710 (6.9%) and 1,108 (2.8%), respectively. According to the KDIGO risk classification, there were 30.1% and 25.5% of male and female patients with CKD at very high-risk, respectively. As the information from every clinical encounter from those participating hospitals will be continuously updated with an anonymized patient ID, the J-CKD-DB will be a dynamic registry of Japanese CKD patients by expanding and linking with other existing databases and a platform for a number of cross-sectional and prospective analyses to answer important clinical questions in CKD care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident caused serious radiocesium (137Cs) contamination of forest ecosystems over a wide area. The removal of the forest floor litter layer has been considered a potential method for forest decontamination; however, its effectiveness remains largely unknown. We conducted a pilot-scale decontamination study in a deciduous broadleaved forest in Fukushima. The entire forest was decontaminated by removing the litter layer in July 2014, approximately 3.3 years after the accident, with the exception of two untreated plots. For three years after decontamination, we quantified 137Cs contamination levels in the litter and topsoil layers and in the tree leaves, in the untreated and decontaminated areas. The decreased inventories of litter materials and the litter-associated 137Cs in the decontaminated areas were observed only in the first year after decontamination. Generally, no decontamination effects were observed on the 137Cs transfer in tree leaves. The primary reason for this was the rapid shift in the main reservoir of 137Cs from litter layers to the underlying mineral soil, which differs from the observations in post-Chernobyl studies of European forest ecosystems. The results suggest that litter-removal decontamination can only be successful if it is implemented more quickly (within 1–2 years after the accident) for Japanese forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, 1.5–2 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. New direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) offer an unprecedented opportunity to cure HCV. While the price of HCV treatment decreased recently in most countries, it remains one of the highest in Japan. Our objective was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of HCV treatment in patients of different age groups and to estimate the price at which DAAs become cost-saving in Japan. A previously developed microsimulation model was adapted to the Japanese population and updated with Japan-specific health utilities and costs. Our model showed that compared with no treatment, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of DAAs at a price USD 41,046 per treatment was USD 9,080 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained in 60-year-old patients. HCV treatment became cost-effective after 9 years of starting treatment. However, if the price of DAAs is reduced by 55–85% (USD 6,730 to 17,720), HCV treatment would be cost-saving within a 5 to 20-year time horizon, which should serve to increase the uptake of DAA-based HCV treatment. The payers of health care in Japan could examine ways to procure DAAs at a price where they would be cost-saving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dementia is a major public health concern in ageing societies. Although the population of Japan is among the most aged worldwide, long-term trends in the place of death (PoD) among patients with dementia is unknown. In this Japanese nationwide observational study, we analysed trends in PoD using the data of patients with dementia who were aged ≥65 years and died during 1999–2016. Trends in the crude death rates and PoD frequencies were analysed using the Joinpoint regression model. Changes in these trends were assessed using the Joinpoint regression analysis in which significant change points, the annual percentage change (APC) and average APCs (AAPC) in hospitals, homes, or nursing homes were estimated. During 1999–2016, the number of deaths among patients with dementia increased from 3,235 to 23,757 (total: 182,000). A trend analysis revealed increased mortality rates, with an AAPC of 8.2% among men and 9.3% among women. Most patients with dementia died in the hospital, although the prevalence of hospital deaths decreased (AAPC: -1.0%). Moreover, the prevalence of nursing home deaths increased (AAPC: 5.6%), whereas the prevalence of home deaths decreased (AAPC: -5.8%). These findings support a reconsideration of the end-of-life care provided to patients with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the cancer burden is expected to increase as populations are ageing. Therefore, cancer prevention among older age groups is important. This prospective cohort study examined the relationship between the number of remaining teeth, maximum occlusal force, and incidence of gastrointestinal cancer in community-dwelling older Japanese individuals using data from the Tsurugaya project; 847 participants were included. The exposure variables were the number of remaining teeth and the maximum occlusal force, with the outcome being the incidence of gastrointestinal cancer. Covariates were age, sex, medical history, smoking, alcohol consumption, educational attainment, and physical function. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to examine the relationship between the number of remaining teeth, maximum occlusal force, and incidence of gastrointestinal cancer. With a median follow-up of 7.6 years, 63 participants were confirmed to have gastrointestinal cancer. The risk of gastrointestinal cancer was significantly higher in those with an occlusal force lower than the median (hazard ratio, 2.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.54-5.10). No significant risk difference was found according to the number of remaining teeth. Low maximum occlusal force was associated with the incidence of gastrointestinal cancer in community-dwelling older Japanese adults., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

'Yips' in golf is a complex spectrum of anxiety and movement-disorder that affects competitive sporting performance. With unclear etiology and high prevalence documented in western literature, the perception and management of this psycho-neuromuscular problem among Japanese elite golfers is unknown. The objective of this study was to explore factors associated with yips, investigate the performance deficits and the strategies implemented to prevent yips. We surveyed approx. 1300 professional golfers on their golfing habits, anxiety and musculoskeletal problems, kinematic deficits, changes in training and their outcomes. Statistical procedures included multiple logistic regression and network analysis. 35% of the respondents had experienced yips in their career, their odds increasing proportionally to their golfing experience. Regardless of musculoskeletal symptoms, about 57% of all yips-golfers attributed their symptoms to psychological causes. Network analysis highlighted characteristic movement patterns, i.e. slowing, forceful or freezing of movement for putting, approach and teeing shots respectively. Golfers' self-administered strategies to relieve yips were mostly inconsequential. Within the limits of our self-reported survey, most golfers perceived yips as a psychological phenomenon despite evidence pointing to a movement-disorder. While self-administered interventions were satisfactory at best, it may be imperative to sensitize golfers from a movement-disorder standpoint for early management of the problem., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar or sugi) is one of the most important coniferous tree species in Japan and breeding programs for this species have been launched since 1950s. Genome editing technology can be used to shorten the breeding period. In this study, we performed targeted mutagenesis using the CRISPR/Cas9 system in C. japonica. First, the CRISPR/Cas9 system was tested using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing transgenic embryogenic tissue lines. Knock-out efficiency of GFP ranged from 3.1 to 41.4% depending on U6 promoters and target sequences. The GFP knock-out region was mottled in many lines, indicating genome editing in individual cells. However, in 101 of 102 mutated individuals (> 99%) from 6 GFP knock-out lines, embryos had a single mutation pattern. Next, we knocked out the endogenous C. japonica magnesium chelatase subunit I (CjChlI) gene using two guide RNA targets. Green, pale green, and albino phenotypes were obtained in the gene-edited cell lines. Sequence analysis revealed random deletions, insertions, and replacements in the target region. Thus, targeted mutagenesis using the CRISPR/Cas9 system can be used to modify the C. japonica genome., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

To investigate synovitis' influence on early knee osteoarthritis (EKOA) by serum biomarkers and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in Japanese women. We enrolled 255 women aged 30-70 without radiographic abnormalities (Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥ 2). Knee injury, OA outcome scores (KOOS), clinical examinations, and standing radiograph were used for classification criteria of EKOA. Participants were classified into normal knee group and EKOA group. All participants underwent MRIs of their right knee. The amount of effusion-synovitis volume was quantified. We compared serum matrix metalloproteinases-3 levels (MMP-3), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and adiponectin between the groups. The relationship between synovitis and EOKA was investigated using multiple linear regression. Fifty-four participants (21%) were classified as EKOA. Serum MMP-3 concentration and effusion-synovitis volume were higher in patients with EKOA (p = 0.025 and p = 0.001, respectively). Effusion-synovitis volume negatively correlated with all KOOS subscales and positively correlated with serum MMP-3 concentration. Serum MMP-3 concentration was associated with effusion-synovitis volume β = 0.60, p < 0.001). There was mildly active but definitive synovitis in EKOA. This was an observational study so that no conclusions can be drawn regarding cause-effect for synovitis and symptoms. Future studies should conduct follow-up of participants with synovitis to assess the progression of knee OA.

The Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18) recommend emergent cholecystectomy (EC) for acute cholecystitis. However, the number of patients on antithrombotic therapy (AT) has increased significantly, and no evidence has yet suggested that EC should be performed for acute cholecystitis in such patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether EC is as safe for patients on AT as for patients not on AT. We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent EC from 2007 to 2018 at a single center. First, patients were divided into two groups according to the use of antithrombotic agents: AT; and no-AT. Second, the AT group was divided into three sub-groups according to the use of single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT), double antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), or anticoagulant with or without antiplatelet therapy (AC ± APT). We then evaluated outcomes of EC among all four groups. The primary outcome was 30- and 90- day mortality rate, and secondary outcomes were morbidity rate and surgical outcomes. A total of 478 patients were enrolled (AT, n = 123, no-AT, n = 355) patients. No differences in morbidity rate (6.5% vs. 3.7%, respectively; P = 0.203), 30-day mortality rate (1.6% vs. 1.4%, respectively; P = 1.0) or 90-day mortality rate (1.6% vs. 1.4%, respectively; P = 1.0) were evident between AT and no-AT groups. Between the no-AT and AC ± APT groups, a significant difference was seen in blood loss (10 mL vs. 114 mL, respectively; P = 0.017). Among the three AT sub-groups and the no-AT group, no differences were evident in morbidity rate (3.7% vs. 8.9% vs. 0% vs. 6.5%, respectively; P = 0.201) or 30-day mortality (1.4% vs. 0% vs. 0% vs. 4.3%, respectively; P = 0.351). No hemorrhagic or thrombotic morbidities were identified after EC in any group. In conclusion, EC for acute cholecystitis is as safe for patients on AT as for patients not on AT.

The importance of the English language has been increasing as various fields have become more globalized. When Japanese people try to acquire foreign language such as English, learners find it difficult to perceive speech-sounds such as the phonemes /l/ and /r/ that are absent in their native language (e.g., "light"/lάIt/ and "right"/rάIt/). Recent studies report that a unique sound that deviates from a repetitive background sound induces pupillary dilation response (PDR) regardless of whether attention is directed to the sound or not. In this study, we investigated whether deviation in higher-order processing such as language processing induces PDR, and the possibility of determining implicit subjective English proficiency. A behavioural auditory distinguishing ability test was performed prior to the main experiment to quantitatively evaluate participants' ability to distinguish English words. Then, by conducting an oddball paradigm-employing stimulus including the phonemes /l/ and /r/ with simultaneous pupil diameter recording, a significant dilation was evoked by /l/-/r/ speech sounds presented as deviant stimuli. Moreover, a strong correlation between the PDR amplitude and participants' ability to distinguish English words was found; that is, individuals with higher ability to distinguish such words displayed a prominent PDR. Also, the PDR difference between the two groups classified by discrimination ability suggests that PDR might be sensitive to higher-order characteristics involved in language processing, which is independent from the aspects of physical sound and cognitive load.

The aim of this study was to identify the cognitive structures of kanji abilities in the Japanese general population and to examine age and cohort effects on them. From a large database of the most popular kanji exam in Japan, we analyzed high school graduation level data of 33,659 people in 2006 and 16,971 people in 2016. Confirmatory factor analyses validated the three-dimensional model of kanji abilities, including factors of reading, writing and semantic comprehension. Furthermore, the age effect on writing, and correlations between writing and semantic dimensions, were different between 2006 and 2016, suggesting reduced writing ability and stagnation in integrated mastery of kanji orthography and semantics in current-day Japanese adults. These findings provide the first evidence of the multidimensional nature of Japanese kanji abilities, and age/cohort differences in that dimensional structure. The importance of the habit of handwriting for literacy acquisition is discussed.

For estimation of residents' exposure dose after a nuclear accident, the reduction factor, which is the ratio of the indoor dose to the outdoor dose is essential, as most individuals spend a large portion of their time indoors. After the Fukushima nuclear accident, we evaluated the median reduction factor with an interquartile range of 0.43 (0.34-0.53) based on 522 survey results for 69 detached wooden houses in two evacuation zones, Iitate village and Odaka district. The results indicated no statistically significant difference in the median reduction factor to the representative value of 0.4 given in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-TECDOC-225 and 1162. However, with regard to the representative range of the reduction factor, we recommend the wider range of 0.2 to 0.7 or at least 0.2 to 0.6, which covered 87.7% and 80.7% of the data, respectively, rather than 0.2 to 0.5 given in the IAEA document, which covered only 66.5% of the data. We found that the location of the room within the house and area topography, and the use of cement roof tiles had the greatest influence on the reduction factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large areas of forests were radioactively contaminated by the Fukushima nuclear accident of 2011, and forest decontamination is now an important problem in Japan. However, whether trees absorb radioactive fallout from soil via the roots or directly from the atmosphere through the bark and leaves is unclear. We measured the uptake of radiocesium by trees in forests heavily contaminated by the Fukushima nuclear accident. The radiocesium concentrations in sapwood of two tree species, the deciduous broadleaved konara (Quercus serrata) and the evergreen coniferous sugi (Cryptomeria japonica), were higher than that in heartwood. The concentration profiles showed anomalous directionality in konara and non-directionality in sugi, indicating that most radiocesium in the tree rings was directly absorbed from the atmosphere via bark and leaves rather than via roots. Numerical modelling shows that the maximum 137Cs concentration in the xylem of konara will be achieved 28 years after the accident. Conversely, the values for sugi will monotonously decrease because of the small transfer factor in this species. Overall, xylem 137Cs concentrations will not be affected by root uptake if active root systems occur 10 cm below the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we present the first report of a carbon-γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticle composite of mesoporous carbon, bearing COOH- and phenolic OH- functional groups on its surface, a remarkable and magnetically separable adsorbent, for the radioactive material emitted by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Contaminated water and soil at a level of 1,739 Bq kg-1 (134Cs and 137Cs at 509 Bq kg21 and 1,230 Bq kg-1, respectively) and 114,000 Bq kg-1 (134Cs and 137Cs at 38,700 Bq kg-1 and 75,300 Bq kg-1, respectively) were decontaminated by 99% and 90% respectively with just one treatment carried out in Nihonmatsu city in Fukushima. Since this material is remarkably high performance, magnetically separable, and a readily applicable technology, it would reduce the environmental impact of the Fukushima accident if it were used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coral populations are in decline due to environmental changes and biological attacks by predators and infectious diseases. Here, we report a localized bloom of the benthic filamentous cyanobacterium Moorea bouillonii (formerly Lyngbya bouillonii) observed exclusively on the gorgonian (sea fan) coral Annella reticulata at around 20 m depth in Japan. The degree of infection has reached 26% among different sizes of Annella colonies. Thick and continuous growth of Moorea may be sustained partly by symbiotic alpheid shrimp, which affix Moorea filaments to gorgonian corals for use as food and shelter. Most filaments get entangled on the coral colony, some penetrate into the stem of the coral with a swollen end like a root hair, which appears to function as an anchor in Annella. In addition to the cyanobacterium-shrimp interaction, the new trait of anchoring by the cyanobacterium into gorgonian coral may contribute to persistence of this bloom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contamination of Japan after the Fukushima accident has been investigated mainly for volatile fission products, but only sparsely for actinides such as plutonium. Only small releases of actinides were estimated in Fukushima. Plutonium is still omnipresent in the environment from previous atmospheric nuclear weapons tests. We investigated soil and plants sampled at different hot spots in Japan, searching for reactor-borne plutonium using its isotopic ratio 240Pu/239Pu. By using accelerator mass spectrometry, we clearly demonstrated the release of Pu from the Fukushima Daiichi power plant: While most samples contained only the radionuclide signature of fallout plutonium, there is at least one vegetation sample whose isotope ratio (0.381 ± 0.046) evidences that the Pu originates from a nuclear reactor (239+240Pu activity concentration 0.49 Bq/kg). Plutonium content and isotope ratios differ considerably even for very close sampling locations, e.g. the soil and the plants growing on it. This strong localization indicates a particulate Pu release, which is of high radiological risk if incorporated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fukushima nuclear accident released radioactive materials into the environment over the entire Northern Hemisphere in March 2011, and the Japanese government is spending large amounts of money to clean up the contaminated residential areas and agricultural fields. However, we still do not know the exact physical and chemical properties of the radioactive materials. This study directly observed spherical Cs-bearing particles emitted during a relatively early stage (March 14-15) of the accident. In contrast to the Cs-bearing radioactive materials that are currently assumed, these particles are larger, contain Fe, Zn, and Cs, and are water insoluble. Our simulation indicates that the spherical Cs-bearing particles mainly fell onto the ground by dry deposition. The finding of the spherical Cs particles will be a key to understand the processes of the accident and to accurately evaluate the health impacts and the residence time in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasonic mating signals in moths are argued to have evolved via exploitation of the receivers' sensory bias towards bat echolocation calls. We have demonstrated that female moths of the Asian corn borer are unable to distinguish between the male courtship song and bat calls. Females react to both the male song and bat calls by "freezing", which males take advantage of in mating (deceptive courtship song). In contrast, females of the Japanese lichen moth are able to distinguish between the male song and bat calls by the structure of the sounds; females emit warning clicks against bats, but accept males (true courtship song). Here, we propose a hypothesis that deceptive and true signals evolved independently from slightly different precursory sounds; deceptive/true courtship songs in moths evolved from the sounds males incidentally emitted in a sexual context, which females could not/could distinguish, respectively, from bat calls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced Himawari imager (AHI) carried on the new-generation geostationary meteorological Himawari-8 satellite of Japan has been generating aerosol observations with a high temporal resolution since 7 July 2015. However, the previous studies lack a comprehensive quality assessment and spatial coverage analysis of AHI hourly aerosol products (level 3 version 3.0) across the full disk scan. The monitoring accuracy of different AHI aerosol products (AODpure and AODmerged) and a simple customized product (AODmean) was evaluated against Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and Maritime Aerosol Network (MAN) observations from May 2016 to February 2019 in this study. Results showed that AHI AODmean demonstrates a better agreement to AERONET AOD measurements than AODpure and AODmerged over land (R = 0.81, bias = − 0.011) and all the AHI land retrievals present a significant regional performance differences, while the relatively better performance is observed in AODmerged over the coastal regions (R = 0.89, bias = 0.053). Over ocean, AHI exhibited overall overestimation in retrieving AOD against MAN observations and the relatively lower uncertainties were found in AODpure retrievals (R = 0.96, bias = 0.057). The hourly comparisons in different AHI products demonstrated a robust performance in the late afternoon (16:00–17:00 LT) over land and around the noon (10:00–13:00 LT) over coast. AHI AOD products indicated an obvious underestimation when compared to MODIS AOD retrievals over both land and ocean. Furthermore, the performance differences of AHI AOD products have also affected by the vegetation cover, pollution levels and relative humidity. For spatiotemporal coverage, the results of different AHI products demonstrated that AODmean can achieve relatively higher coverage than AODpure and AODmerged, and AHI retrievals present significant regional differences in coverage capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, there are concerns that invasive alien raccoons prey on rare native species during their spawning season from late winter to early summer. We investigated raccoon predation impact by examining the predation presence using DNA metabarcoding and extent of predation on rare native species using stable isotope analysis. We captured raccoons in Hokkaido, Japan from April to August in 2018 and 2019. We analysed raccoon faeces and gastric contents by DNA metabarcoding to detect the rare native Hokkaido salamander and Japanese crayfish. Hokkaido salamanders were detected from gastric contents, but Japanese crayfish were not detected in any samples. Stable isotope analysis of raccoon muscle samples and the Bayesian mixing model were used to estimate each food resource's contribution to the raccoon diet. Animal food resources accounted for 70% of total consumed food. The foraging ratios of amphibians and crustaceans were about 9% and 5%, respectively. Raccoons have been found to use amphibians at a higher rate than previously reported, including a rare endangered species, the Hokkaido salamander. Hokkaido salamander and Japanese crayfish spawn in the spring, and increased predation pressure by raccoons may directly impact populations of these rare native species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been tritium groundwater leakage to the land side of Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plants since 2013. Groundwater was continuously collected from the end of 2013 to 2019, with an average tritium concentration of approximately 20 Bq/L. Based on tritium data published by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) (17,000 points), the postulated source of the leakage was (1) leaks from a contaminated water tank that occurred from 2013 to 2014, or (2) a leak of tritium that had spread widely over an impermeable layer under the site. Based on our results, sea side and land side tritium leakage monitoring systems should be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two clusters of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were confirmed in Hokkaido, Japan, in February 2020. To identify these clusters, this study employed web search query logs of multiple devices and user location information from location-aware mobile devices. We anonymously identified users who used a web search engine (i.e., Yahoo! JAPAN) to search for COVID-19 or its symptoms. We regarded them as web searchers who were suspicious of their own COVID-19 infection (WSSCI). We extracted the location of WSSCI via a mobile operating system application and compared the spatio-temporal distribution of WSSCI with the actual location of the two known clusters. In the early stage of cluster development, we confirmed several WSSCI. Our approach was accurate in this stage and became biased after a public announcement of the cluster development. When other cluster-related resources, such as detailed population statistics, are not available, the proposed metric can capture hints of emerging clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study highlights the severity of the low snow water equivalent (SWE) and remarkably high temperatures in 2020 in Japan, where reductions in SWE have significant impacts on society due to its importance for water resources. A continuous 60-year land surface simulation forced by reanalysis data revealed that the low SWE in many river basins in the southern snowy region of mainland Japan are the most severe on record. The impact of the remarkably high temperatures in 2020 on the low SWE was investigated by considering the relationships among SWE, temperature, and precipitation. The main difference between the 2020 case and prior periods of low SWE is the record-breaking high temperatures. Despite the fact that SWE was the lowest in 2020, precipitation was much higher than that in 2019, which was one of the lowest SWE on record pre-2020. The results indicate the possibility that even more serious low-SWE periods will be caused if lower precipitation and higher temperatures occur simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV prevalence in Japan continues to increase among men who have sex with men (MSM). We built a mathematical model to describe the HIV epidemic, including acute infection and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and projected the model to 2050. We compared current testing and treatment policies, a scenario where Japan achieves UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, three PrEP scenarios defined by different coverage levels of 25%, 50%, and 75% among the 20% of MSM with the highest risk behavior, and combinations of these scenarios. With no change in interventions prevalence of HIV among MSM will rise to 9.0% in 2050. If Japan achieves full UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, 84.9% of these infections would be averted. Under 50% PrEP with no expansion of testing and treatment, prevalence will reach 2.6% and 62.1% of infections would be averted by 2050. If in addition UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals are achieved, 92.7% of HIV infections would be prevented by 2050. All interventions tested in this model were cost-saving relative to the base case. Both PrEP and enhanced ART strategies can be cost-saving, and if Japan enhances its testing program for MSM and introduces PrEP, it has the potential to effectively eliminate new infections in the next 30 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work first reports the estimation of the internal exposure from ingestion of house dust and inhalation of aerosol, by employing a measured data on 137Cs activities, bioaccessibility (solubility to water and 1 M HCl), and particle size distribution. The house dust and aerosol samples were collected during the actual indoor cleaning by vacuuming and dusting, from 65 houses and buildings in proximity to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) (1.6–16.1 km from the FDNPP) during a period from April 2016 to January 2019. Committed effective doses for an adult owing to the ingestion of house dust of 20 mg per day, which adheres to one's hands through the hand-to-mouth, and those owing to inhalation of aerosol during dusting for 1.5 h while wearing a mask, were calculated using DCAL software for each house or building, as 1.13 µSv and 4.55 µSv as maximum doses, respectively (as of March 2011). Both the committed effective doses, owing to ingestion and inhalation, were inversely correlated with the distance from the FDNPP, and positively correlated with the indoor surface contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the approval status of molecular targeted antineoplastic drugs in the United States (U.S.), the European Union (E.U.), and Japan (JP), we checked the status of pediatric indications according to the package insert of each drug. A total of 103 drugs were approved for adult patients in at least one of the three regions whereas only 19 drugs were approved for pediatric patients. Sixty-six of 103 drugs (64.1%) had adult indications in the U.S., the E.U., and JP, whereas only three drugs had pediatric indications in all three regions. Abnormalities in six genes (NRAS, ABL1, JAK2, KIT, ALK and BRAF) were common in childhood cancers as well as adult cancers, for which at least one approved drug could be a potentially actionable drug. Although there were 16 candidate drugs that had adult indications for these abnormalities, only three drugs (18.8%) had pediatric indications. We confirmed that there were few molecular targeted antineoplastic drugs with pediatric indications in the U.S., the E.U., and JP compared with the number of approved drugs for adults. Drugs targeting genomic abnormalities which were common in both adult and pediatric cancers were considered to be good candidates for expansion of their indication for pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver tests (LT), especially to measure AST, ALT and GGT levels, are widely used to evaluate the risk of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). In this study, we investigated the potential genetic factors that modulate the association between LTs and alcohol consumption. We conducted a genome-wide interaction meta-analysis in 7856 Japanese subjects from Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-Based Cohort (TMM CommCohort) study recruited in 2013, and identified 2 loci (12q24 and 2p16) with genome-wide significance (P > 5 × 10–8). The significant variants in the 12q24 included rs671, a variant associated with alcohol intolerance and located at a coding exon of ALDH2. We found that the amount of alcohol consumption was associated with increased level AST/ALT ratio among the subjects with the rs671 GA genotype. The elevated AST/ALT ratio among subjects with moderate-to-high levels of drinking behavior and the rs671 GA genotype was due to decreased levels of ALT, which was not accompanied with significant differences in AST levels. Although the interaction effect was significant in both men and women, the effect was much larger in men. Our results suggest that the impact of alcohol consumption on LT varies according to the ALDH2 genotype, providing an insight for the accurate screening of ALD in drinkers with the rs671 GA genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of hyper-ageing, Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) can become more prevalent as an important cause of dementia. This study aimed to evaluate the trends in crude and age-adjusted CJD-associated mortality and incidence rates in Japan using national vital statistics data on CJD-associated deaths among individuals aged over 50 years, as well as the government-funded nationwide CJD surveillance data (pertaining to the years 2005–2014) in Japan. The data were analysed using the Joinpoint Regression Program to estimate the long-term trends and average annual percentage changes (AAPCs). Overall, the AAPCs of age-adjusted CJD-associated mortality rates rose significantly over the study period (3.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4–5.1%). The AAPC of the age-adjusted incidence rates also increased (overall 6.4%; 95% CI 4.7–8.1%). The CJD-associated increases in the mortality and incidence rates were especially prominent among adults over the age of 70 years. Given this trend in aging of population, the disease burden of CJD will continue to increase in severity. Our findings thus recommend that policymakers be aware of the importance of CJD and focus on preparing to address the increasing prevalence of dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SW Japan arc built by subduction of the Philippine Sea (PHS) plate exhibits uneven distribution of volcanoes: thirteen Quaternary composite volcanoes form in the western half of this arc, Kyushu Island, while only two in the eastern half, Chugoku district. Reconstruction of the PHS plate back to 14 Ma, together with examinations based on thermal structure models constrained by high-density heat flow data and a petrological model for dehydration reactions suggest that fluids are discharged actively at depths of 90–100 km in the hydrous layer at the top of the old (> 50 Ma), hence, cold lithosphere sinking beneath Kyushu Island. In contrast, the young (15–25 Ma) oceanic crust downgoing beneath Chugoku district releases fluids largely at shallower depths, i.e. beneath the non-volcanic forearc, to cause characteristic tectonic tremors and low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs) and be the source of specific brine springs. Much larger amounts of fluids supplied to the magma source region in the western SW Japan arc could build more densely-distributed volcanoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) is a broad-spectrum antifungal drug that is used to treat fungal infections. However, clinical evidence of its use in patients with renal failure is limited. Here, we aimed to identify factors associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients administered L-AMB. We retrospectively utilized a combination of Diagnosis Procedure Combination data and laboratory data obtained from hospitals throughout Japan between April 2008 and January 2018. In total, 507 patients administered L-AMB were identified. After L-AMB treatment initiation, AKI, which was defined as a ≥ 1.5-fold increase within 7 days or ≥ 0.3 mg/dL increase within 2 days in serum creatinine according to the KDIGO criteria, was recognized in 37% of the total patients (189/507). The stages of AKI were stage 1 in 20%, stage 2 in 11%, and stage 3 in 7%. Five factors were associated with AKI of all stages: prior treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-receptor blockers or carbapenem; concomitant administration of catecholamines or immunosuppressants; and ≥ 3.52 mg/kg/day of L-AMB dosing. Serum potassium < 3.5 mEq/L before L-AMB therapy was associated with severe AKI of stage 2 and 3. Altogether, these factors should be carefully considered to reduce the occurrence of AKI in patients administered L-AMB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) lead to the death of approximately 30,000 women annually, and the identification of biomarkers to predict their onset before symptom occurrence is crucial. Here, we aimed to identify the first-trimester maternal serum biomarkers for predicting early-onset HDP via a comprehensive metabolomic analysis. This study was conducted by the Fukushima Regional Center as an adjunct study to the Japan Environment and Children's Study. The study comprised 12 patients with early-onset HDP and 12 control subjects with healthy pregnancy whose medical background information was matched with that of the patients by propensity-score matching. Capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry-based quantitative analysis of charged metabolites were performed with the first-trimester maternal serum samples. Welch's t-test was used to analyse metabolite peak areas in the two groups. A total of 166 charged metabolites were identified. The peak area of N-dimethylglycine and S-methylcysteine was significantly higher in the first-trimester serum of patients with early-onset HDP than in the controls. Conversely, the peak area of munic acid was significantly decreased in the serum of patients with early-onset HDP. Although we identified potential biomarkers for the prediction and diagnosis of early-onset HDP, no clear marker was identified because of a low statistical power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Western boundary currents in the subtropics play a pivotal role in transporting warm water from the tropics that contribute to development of highly diverse marine ecosystem in the coastal regions. As one of the western boundary currents in the North Pacific, the Kuroshio Current (hereafter the Kuroshio) exerts great influences on biological resource variability off southwest Japan, but few studies have examined physical processes that attribute the coastal fish resource variability to the basin-scale Kuroshio variability. Using the high-quality fish catch data and high-resolution ocean reanalysis results, this study identifies statistical links of interannual fish resource variability off Sukumo Bay, Shikoku island of Japan, to subsurface ocean temperature variability in the Kuroshio. The subsurface ocean temperature variability off the south of Sukumo Bay exhibits vertically coherent structure with sea-surface height variability, which originates from the westward-propagating oceanic Rossby waves generated through surface wind anomalies in the Northwest Pacific. Although potential sources of the atmospheric variability remain unclarified, the remotely-induced oceanic Rossby waves contribute to fish resource variability off Sukumo Bay. These findings have potential applications to other coastal regions along the western boundary currents in the subtropics where the westward-propagating oceanic Rossby waves may contribute to coastal ocean temperature variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of biochar to the forest floor should facilitate efficient carbon sequestration. However, little is known about how biochar addition effects litter decomposition, which is related to carbon and nutrient dynamics in forest ecosystems. This study evaluated the effect of biochar addition on leaf litter decomposition in a forest ecosystem. To examine whether leaf litter decomposition was stimulated above and below biochar, litterbag experiments were carried out for about 3 years in a field site where biochar was added at the rate of 0, 5 and 10 t ha−¹ (C0, C5 and C10 plots) to the forest floor in a temperate oak forest, Japan. Biochar addition at C10 significantly enhanced litter decomposition below biochar for 2 years after treatment and above biochar for 1 year after treatment. Litter water content in biochar plots tended to increase under dry conditions. Biochar addition enhanced litter decomposition because of increased microbial activity with increased moisture content and accelerated the decomposition progress rather than changing the decomposition pattern. However, the carbon emission through changing leaf litter decomposition was small when compared with the carbon addition by biochar, indicating that biochar could be an effective material for carbon sequestration in forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reconstructed the radiological dose for birds observed at 300 census sites in the 50-km northwest area affected by the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant over 2011-2014. Substituting the ambient dose rate measured at the census points (from 0.16 to 31 μGy h−1) with the dose rate reconstructed for adult birds of each species (from 0.3 to 97 μGy h−1), we confirmed that the overall bird abundance at Fukushima decreased with increasing total doses. This relationship was directly consistent with exposure levels found in the literature to induce physiological disturbances in birds. Among the 57 species constituting the observed bird community, we found that 90% were likely chronically exposed at a dose rate that could potentially affect their reproductive success. We quantified a loss of 22.6% of the total number of individuals per increment of one unit log10-tansformed total dose (in Gy), over the four-year post-accident period in the explored area. We estimated that a total dose of 0.55 Gy reduced by 50% the total number of birds in the study area over 2011-2014. The data also suggest a significant positive relationship between total dose and species diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal increases in radon (222Rn, half-life = 3.82 days) activity have occasionally been observed in underground environments before major earthquakes. However, 222Rn alone could not be used to forecast earthquakes since it can also be increased due to diffusive inputs over its lifetime. Here, we show that a very short-lived isotope, thoron (220Rn, half-life = 55.6 s; mean life = 80 s), in a cave can record earthquake signals without interference from other environmental effects. We monitored 220Rn together with 222Rn in air of a limestone-cave in Korea for one year. Unusually large 220Rn peaks were observed only in February 2011, preceding the 2011 M9.0 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake, Japan, while large 222Rn peaks were observed in both February 2011 and the summer. Based on our analyses, we suggest that the anomalous peaks of 222Rn and 220Rn activities observed in February were precursory signals related to the Tohoku-Oki Earthquake. Thus, the 220Rn-222Rn combined isotope pair method can present new opportunities for earthquake forecasting if the technique is extensively employed in earthquake monitoring networks around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining Pu background data in the environment is essential for contamination source identification and assessment of environmental impact of Pu released from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP) accident. However, no baseline information on Pu isotopes in Fukushima Prefecture has been reported. Here we analyzed 80 surface soil samples collected from the central-eastern Japan during 1969-1977 for 239+240Pu activity concentration and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio to establish the baseline before the FDNPP accident. We found that 239+240Pu activity concentrations ranged from 0.004 -1.46 mBq g−1, and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios varied narrowly from 0.148 to 0.229 with a mean of 0.186 ± 0.015. We also reconstructed the surface deposition density of 241Pu using the 241Pu/239Pu atom ratio in the Japanese fallout reference material. The obtained results indicated that, for the FDNPP-accident released 241Pu, a similar radiation impact can be estimated as was seen for the global fallout deposited 241Pu in the last decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRVs), belonging to the genus Orthoreovirus in the family Spinareoviridae, possess a double-stranded RNA segmented genome. Due to the segmented nature of their genome, MRVs are prone to gene reassortment, which allows for evolutionary diversification. Recently, a genotyping system for each MRV gene segment was proposed based on nucleotide differences. In the present study, MRVs were isolated from the fecal samples of Japanese Black cattle kept on a farm in Japan. Complete genome sequencing and analysis of 41 MRV isolates revealed that these MRVs shared almost identical sequences in the L1, L2, L3, S3, and S4 gene segments, while two different sequences were found in the S1, M1, M2, M3, and S2 gene segments. By plaque cloning, at least six genetic constellation patterns were identified, indicating the occurrence of multiple inter- (S1 and M2) and intra- (M1, M3, and S2) reassortment events. This paper represents the first report describing multiple reassortant MRVs on a single cattle farm. These MRV gene segments exhibited sequence similarity to those of MRVs isolated from cattle in the U.S. and China, rather than to MRVs previously isolated in Japan. Genotypes consisting solely of bovine MRVs were observed in the L1, M1, and M2 segments, suggesting that they might have evolved within the cattle population., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Understanding the factors that influence people's decisions regarding vaccination is essential to promote vaccination. We aimed to clarify the motivations for receiving booster vaccines. We conducted a paper-based questionnaire distributed during January-February 2022 involving students and faculty staff who received the first COVID-19 vaccination at the mass vaccination program during June-September 2021 at Keio University. A total of 1725 participants were enrolled, and all completed the survey. Among these, 64.9% reported a significant adverse event (AEs) affecting daily life after the second vaccine. "Fear of severe COVID-19 illness" (72.6%) was the most common reason for getting vaccinated, followed by "concern of infecting others" (68.4%) and "fear of COVID-19 infection itself" (68.3%). Television emerged as the most influential source of information (80%), followed by university information (50.2%) and social networking sites (42.8%). Multivariate analysis revealed "fear of severe COVID-19 illness", "fear of COVID-19 infection itself", and "trust in the efficacy and safety of the vaccines in general" were significantly correlated with willingness to receive paid vaccinations. The severity of AEs and source of information were not related to participants' willingness to receive booster vaccinations. Participants with positive reasons for vaccination were more likely to accept a third dose., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Pharmacists are expected to demonstrate their expertise in clinical practice and conduct research activities to generate new evidence. However, the factors promoting research activities among pharmacists remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the research activities of Japanese pharmacists through a questionnaire survey and examined the factors contributing to the promotion of research activities. A web-based questionnaire using Google Forms was disseminated across pharmacists working in community pharmacies, drugstores, hospitals, and clinics. The questionnaire included respondents' backgrounds, research activities, and research environments. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the factors promoting pharmacists' research activities, with experience in research paper acceptance as the objective variable. In total, 401 responses were included in the analysis. Of the respondents, 54.1% were hospital pharmacists, and 77.1% were pharmacists with > 5 years of pharmacist experience. Furthermore, 50.4% of the pharmacists had presented at conferences, and 22.2% had experience in research paper acceptance. The influential factors were "master's degree or higher," "number of affiliated academic societies," "acquisition of specialists/certified pharmacists," and "daily availability of a consultant for writing research papers." This study revealed the factors contributing to the promotion of research activities among pharmacists. We believe that our findings will help promote research among pharmacists., (© 2024. The Author(s).)