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Olfactory behavior is highly plastic, and the olfactory tubercle (OT), a component of the olfactory cortex and ventral striatum, includes anteromedial (amOT) and lateral (lOT) domains with roles in attractive and aversive olfactory behavioral learning, respectively. However, the underlying properties of synaptic plasticity in these domains are incompletely understood. Synaptic plasticity is regulated by multiple signals including synaptic inputs and neuromodulators. Interestingly, the amOT domain exhibits high expression of various receptors for neuromodulators. We investigated synaptic plasticity in mouse OT slices by combining electrical stimulation and treatment with the appetite-promoting neuropeptide orexin, the receptors of which are highly expressed in the amOT. In both the amOT and lOT, one round of 2-Hz burst stimulation elicited short-term potentiation of the field excitatory postsynaptic potential, whereas three rounds of stimulation induced long-term potentiation (LTP) that persisted for 150 min. In the amOT, orexin-A induced LTP was blocked by the orexin receptor type 1 antagonist SB334867. Orexin-A also facilitated LTP induction in the amOT by one round of 2-Hz burst stimulation. By contrast, these effects were not observed in the lOT. These results highlighted the similarity and difference in synaptic plasticity between the OT domains and suggested that orexin facilitates synaptic plasticity in the amOT during olfactory learning processes such as food odor learning.

Central arginine vasopressin (AVP) facilitates social recognition and modulates many complex social behaviors in mammals that, in many cases, recognize each other based on olfactory and/or pheromonal signals. AVP neurons are present in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), which is the first relay in the vomeronasal system and has been demonstrated to be a critical site for mating-induced mate recognition (olfactory memory) in female mice. The transmission of information from the AOB to higher centers is controlled by the dendrodendritic recurrent inhibition, i.e., inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) generated in mitral cells by recurrent dendrodendritic inhibitory inputs from granule cells. These reports suggest that AVP might play an important role in regulating dendrodendritic inhibition in the AOB. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of extracellularly applied AVP on synaptic responses measured from mitral and granule cells in slice preparations from 23-–36-day-old Balb/c mice. To evoke dendrodendritic inhibition in a mitral cell, depolarizing voltages of −70 to 0 mV (10 ms duration) were applied to a mitral cell using a conventional whole-cell configuration. We found that AVP significantly reduced the IPSCs. The suppressive effects of AVP on the IPSCs was diminished by an antagonist for vasopressin receptor 1a (V1aR) (Manning compound), but not by an antagonist for vasopressin receptor 1b (SSR149415). An agonist for V1aRs [(Phe2)OVT] mimicked the action of AVP on IPSCs. Additionally, AVP significantly suppressed voltage-activated currents in granule cells without affecting the magnitude of the response of mitral cells to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The present results suggest that V1aRs play a role in reciprocal transmission between mitral cells and granule cells in the mouse AOB by reducing GABAergic transmission through a presynaptic mechanism in granule cells.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare subjective allergic conjunctivitis symptoms and anti-allergic eye drop use patterns between antihistamine-releasing contact lens users and daily disposable soft contact lens users during Japan's hay fever season. Methods: This web-based retrospective cohort study included daily disposable soft contact lens or antihistamine-releasing contact lens users with a history of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis who regularly used daily disposable soft contact lenses since the previous year. The total ocular symptom score (range 0–20) based on 5-item questionnaire scores and time from the start of the hay fever season to the initiation of anti-allergic eye drop treatment were compared between antihistamine-releasing contact lens users and daily disposable soft contact lens users. Results: The study included 24 participants: 17 using daily disposable soft contact lenses and 7 using antihistamine-releasing contact lenses. Antihistamine-releasing contact lens users experienced a greater reduction in total ocular symptom score from 2021 to 2022 compared with daily disposable soft contact lens users (mean total ocular symptom score [standard deviation]: daily disposable soft contact lens: −0.65 [1.4], antihistamine-releasing contact lens: −4.7 [3.6]; n = 24; Mann–Whitney U test, P = 0.010). Fourteen daily disposable soft contact lens users and five antihistamine-releasing contact lens users eventually required anti-allergic eye drops. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a significant delay in the initiation of anti-allergic eye drop treatment among those using antihistamine-releasing contact lenses compared with those using daily disposable soft contact lenses (median days, daily disposable soft contact lenses: 19 days, antihistamine-releasing contact lens: 57 days; n = 24; log-rank test, P = 0.045). Conclusions: Antihistamine-releasing contact lenses can potentially mitigate worsening ocular allergic responses during the hay fever season when used appropriately as a preventive measure.

Purpose: We report the clinical findings and molecular identification of ocular Thelazia callipaeda from Niigata Prefecture in the Hokuriku area of Japan during winter. Observations: A 77-year-old male visited an ophthalmology clinic in Niigata Prefecture in January 2022 after a 2-week-duration of a conjunctival injection in the left eye and foreign body sensation. Slit-lamp microscopy revealed 11 active nematodes in the left conjunctival sac. Morphological characteristics included longer female body length than male, buccal cavity lacking teeth and lips, and serrated striations along the body surface. The specimens were determined to be T. callipaeda. Genetic analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene revealed an h9 haplotype. Conclusions and Importance: T. callipaeda infection, especially the h9 haplotype, commonly occurs in western Japan owing to its higher incidence in warmer climates, suggesting the origin of the case. Here, we report a human case of Thelaziasis diagnosed in a cold region of Japan (the Hokuriku area) during winter. This human case of T. callipaeda infection from a cold, previously unassociated region, raises concerns about the potential geographical widening of its distribution, and further investigation may be warranted to prevent its spread.

The olfactory tubercle (OT) is a unique part of the olfactory cortex of the mammal brain in that it is also a component of the ventral striatum. It is crucially involved in motivational behaviors, particularly in adaptive olfactory learning. This review introduces the basic properties of the OT, its synaptic connectivity with other brain areas, and the plasticity of the connectivity associated with learning behavior. The adaptive properties of olfactory behavior are discussed further based on the characteristics of OT neuronal circuits.

Abstract In the region where heat stress has become evident, the elevation of air temperature could reduce yield of heat stress-susceptible crops, such as rice (Oryza sativa L.), which is a major food staple in Asia. In addition to air temperature, atmospheric CO2 is projected to be elevated in the future. To project rice yield in the future, it is necessary to clarify the responses of rice to concurrent elevations of air temperature and atmospheric CO2. In the present study, two japonica rice cultivars with different heat tolerance, Hinohikari (sensitive) and Nikomaru (tolerant), were grown in pots inside open-top chambers and exposed to elevated air temperature and/or CO2. The degrees of increase in the air temperature and CO2 concentration by the treatments were approximately 1 °C and 120 µmol mol−1 (ppm). The study was conducted in Nagasaki, Japan, where heat stress on rice has become evident. Elevated air temperature significantly decreased both whole-plant growth and grain yield. Elevated CO2 significantly increased the growth but significantly decreased the yield. The effects of elevated air temperature and elevated CO2 on growth and yield did not significantly differ between two cultivars. In both cultivars, the main cause of yield reduction by both treatments was reduction in spikelet fertility, which is typical heat stress on rice. The elevated CO2-induced reduction in spikelet fertility could be explained partially by high-temperature regime during flowering due to acceleration of heading and by increase in canopy temperature via stomatal closure in flag leaves. Because elevated air temperature and elevated CO2 treatments additively reduced spikelet fertility in both cultivars, concurrent elevations of air temperature and CO2 caused considerable reduction in grain yield.

We investigated the compatibility between adzuki bean and Bradyrhizobium USDA strains and the relation between the genetic diversity of indigenous adzuki bean-nodulating bradyrhizobia and their geographical distribution in Japan. Six Bradyrhizobium USDA strains were used in the inoculation test, and B. elkanii USDA 94 showed higher symbiotic efficiency than other strains. Two adzuki bean cultivars were used to isolate indigenous adzuki bean-nodulating bradyrhizobia. Their genetic diversity and community structure were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphisms of PCR amplicons to target the 16S-23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer region, using 11 USDA Bradyrhizobium strains as reference strains. Furthermore, we performed diversity analysis, non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis based on the Chao index, and polar ordination analysis to explain the relation between community structure and geographical distribution of the adzuki bean-nodulating bradyrhizobia. The major clusters were Bj123 in Hokkaido and Kyoto, Bd110 in Fukushima and Shimane A, Be76 in Shimane B and Fukuoka, Bj6 in Miyazaki, and Bj6 and BeOK in Okinawa. Japan's indigenous adzuki bean-nodulating bradyrhizobial community was strongly and significantly correlated with latitude, longitude, annual mean temperature, and electrical conductivity. This result suggests that the adzuki bean-nodulating bradyrhizobial community is influenced by multiple environmental factors.

Abstract In the evaluation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) immunohistochemistry (IHC) — one of the standard biomarkers for breast cancer— visual assessment is laborious and subjective. Image analysis using whole slide image (WSI) could produce more consistent results; however, color variability in WSIs due to the choice of stain and scanning processes may impact image analysis. We therefore developed a calibration protocol to diminish the staining and scanning variations of WSI using two calibrator slides. The IHC calibrator slide (IHC-CS) contains peptide-coated microbeads with different concentrations. The color distribution obtained from the WSI of stained IHC-CS reflects the staining process and scanner characteristics. A color chart slide (CCS) is also useful for calibrating the color variation due to the scanner. The results of the automated HER2 assessment were compared to confirm the effectiveness of two calibration slides. The IHC-CS and HER2 breast cancer cases were stained on different days. All stained slides and CCS were digitized by two different WSI scanners. Results revealed 100% concordance between automated evaluation and the pathologist’s assessment with both the scanner and staining calibration. The proposed method may enable consistent evaluation of HER2.

Abstract Background Eating disorders (EDs) emerge most often in adolescent girls. While the basic neural and psychiatric mechanisms of ED development remain unknown, their incidence has increased with sociocultural modernization. To determine what aspects of modern culture are related to EDs, we examined the relationship between predisposition to EDs and interest in several modern cultural factors among young female university students in Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a population of 196 female students aged 18–29 years in a university in Bangladesh. Their predisposition to EDs was examined using the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), and their interest in modern culture was evaluated by grading interest in fashionable clothes, Indian TV shows/serials, luxury food and social network activities, and by examining involvement in cultural activities such as playing, dancing, parties and singing. The relationship between predisposition to EDs and interest in modern culture was then examined. The relation between EAT-26 score and body mass index (BMI) was also examined. Results The EAT-26 revealed that 37% of the participants were at risk of developing an ED. Correlation analyses showed that a high EAT-26 score was correlated with a high interest in fashionable clothes and Indian TV shows/serials, but not with a high interest in luxury food or social network activities, or involvement in cultural activities, such as playing, dancing, parties and singing. Further, EAT-26 questions in the dieting category and oral control category, but not the bulimia and food preoccupation category, were correlated with interest in cultural factors. EAT-26 score showed no significant correlation with BMI. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that the risk of EDs is related to an interest in several facets of modern culture. Monitoring the cultural interests of adolescent females, who are continually exposed to modern culture and highly susceptible to EDs, will contribute to the prevention of EDs.

The olfactory tubercle (OT), which is a component of the olfactory cortex and ventral striatum, has functional domains that play a role in odor-guided motivated behaviors. Learning odor-guided attractive and aversive behavior activates the anteromedial (am) and lateral (l) domains of the OT, respectively. However, the mechanism driving learning-dependent activation of specific OT domains remains unknown. We hypothesized that the neuronal connectivity of OT domains is plastically altered through olfactory experience. To examine the plastic potential of synaptic connections to OT domains, we optogenetically stimulated intracortical inputs from the piriform cortex or sensory inputs from the olfactory bulb to the OT in mice in association with a food reward for attractive learning and electrical foot shock for aversive learning. For both intracortical and sensory connections, axon boutons that terminated in the OT domains were larger in the amOT than in the lOT for mice exhibiting attractive learning and larger in the lOT than in the amOT for mice exhibiting aversive learning. These results indicate that both intracortical and sensory connections to the OT domains have learning-dependent plastic potential, suggesting that this plasticity underlies learning-dependent activation of specific OT domains and the acquisition of appropriate motivated behaviors.

Abstract Two Japanese rice cultivars with different heat-tolerance, Hinohikari (sensitive) and Nikomaru (tolerant), were grown in pots inside open-top chambers and exposed to ambient CO2 (400 µmol mol−1) or elevated CO2 (550 µmol mol−1) from the beginning of the tillering stage to maturity. The study was conducted in Nagasaki, in the Kyushu region of Japan, where heat stress on rice has become increasingly evident. Although elevated CO2 significantly improved the net photosynthesis and whole-plant growth of the cultivars, there were no significant effects on grain yield, which in turn reduced harvest index. In both cultivars, adverse effects occurred with elevated CO2, such as reductions in spikelet fertility and grain appearance quality, which are typical manifestations of heat stress in rice. During the flowering period, the air temperature was high that spikelet fertility was reduced even under ambient CO2 conditions for both cultivars. These results suggest that, under high-temperature conditions, elevated CO2 could induce or exacerbate the manifestations of heat stress in rice. Because transpiration rate in the flag leaf was significantly reduced by the exposure to elevated CO2, it is possible that elevated CO2 increased plant temperature via a reduction in transpiration during flowering period, although we did not detect significance of the increase in leaf and panicle temperature. To ensure a more confident conclusion, further studies focusing on the effects of elevated CO2 on the determinants of spikelet fertility and grain appearance quality with other cultivars in different year are required.

Neonicotinoids, including imidacloprid, are pesticides that resemble nicotine and undergo slight chemical alterations through metabolic changes in the environment. However, the effects of these metabolites on organisms remain unknown. In this study, we assessed the developmental processes of medaka embryos exposed to neonicotinoid metabolites. The target compounds were imidacloprid metabolites: 2-chloro-5-pyridine carbaldehyde (CPC) and 6-chloronicotinic acid (6-CNA). Medaka embryos within 6 h of fertilization were exposed to the compounds, and their developmental processes were observed under a stereomicroscope. Medaka embryos exposed to 5 mg/L CPC showed no abnormalities compared to the controls. Contrastingly, medaka embryos exposed to 10, 15, and 20 mg/L CPC showed abnormalities such as thrombus formation, asymmetry, disorganized development of the eyeballs, and low blood flow. This trend was more pronounced at higher CPC concentrations. On the other hand, embryos exposed to 80 and 160 mg/L 6-CNA showed no abnormalities until day 7 of exposure. However, on day 8 of exposure, sudden embryo death was observed. Both compounds may have bound to acetylcholine receptors as agonists; however, their effects were different. CPC caused abnormal development and 6-CNA caused inhibition of hatching gland development and/or synthesis of the hatching enzyme.

BackgroundDry eye disease (DED) is one of the most common ocular surface diseases. Numerous patients with DED remain undiagnosed and inadequately treated, experiencing various subjective symptoms and a decrease in quality of life and work productivity. A mobile health smartphone app, namely, the DEA01, has been developed as a noninvasive, noncontact, and remote screening device, in the context of an ongoing paradigm shift in the health care system, to facilitate a diagnosis of DED. ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the capabilities of the DEA01 smartphone app to facilitate a DED diagnosis. MethodsIn this multicenter, open-label, prospective, and cross-sectional study, the test method will involve using the DEA01 smartphone app to collect and evaluate DED symptoms, based on the Japanese version of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (J-OSDI), and to measure the maximum blink interval (MBI). The standard method will then involve a paper-based J-OSDI evaluation of subjective symptoms of DED and tear film breakup time (TFBUT) measurement in an in-person encounter. We will allocate 220 patients to DED and non-DED groups, based on the standard method. The primary outcome will be the sensitivity and specificity of the DED diagnosis according to the test method. Secondary outcomes will be the validity and reliability of the test method. The concordance rate, positive and negative predictive values, and the likelihood ratio between the test and standard methods will be assessed. The area under the curve of the test method will be evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. The internal consistency of the app-based J-OSDI and the correlation between the app-based J-OSDI and paper-based J-OSDI will be assessed. A DED diagnosis cutoff value for the app-based MBI will be determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. The app-based MBI will be assessed to determine a correlation between a slit lamp–based MBI and TFBUT. Adverse events and DEA01 failure data will be collected. Operability and usability will be assessed using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. ResultsPatient enrollment will start in February 2023 and end in July 2023. The findings will be analyzed in August 2023, and the results will be reported from March 2024 onward. ConclusionsThis study may have implications in identifying a noninvasive, noncontact route to facilitate a diagnosis of DED. The DEA01 may enable a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation within a telemedicine setting and facilitate early intervention for undiagnosed patients with DED confronting health care access barriers. Trial RegistrationJapan Registry of Clinical Trials jRCTs032220524; https://jrct.niph.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCTs032220524 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/45218

Acquired osmotolerance after salt stress is widespread among Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) accessions. Most salt-tolerant accessions exhibit acquired osmotolerance, whereas Col-0 does not. To identify genes that can confer acquired osmotolerance to Col-0 plants, we performed full-length cDNA overexpression (FOX) hunting using full-length cDNAs of halophyte Eutrema salsugineum, a close relative of Arabidopsis. We identified EsCYP78A5 as a gene that can confer acquired osmotolerance to Col-0 wild-type (WT) plants. EsCYP78A5 encodes a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and the Arabidopsis ortholog is known as KLU. We also demonstrated that transgenic Col-0 plants overexpressing AtKLU (AtKLUox) exhibited acquired osmotolerance. Interestingly, KLU overexpression improved not only acquired osmotolerance but also osmo-shock, salt-shock, oxidative, and heat-stress tolerances. Under normal conditions, the AtKLUox plants showed growth retardation with shiny green leaves. The AtKLUox plants also accumulated higher anthocyanin levels and developed denser cuticular wax than WT plants. Compared to WT plants, the AtKLUox plants accumulated significantly higher levels of cutin monomers and very-long-chain fatty acids, which play an important role in the development of cuticular wax and membrane lipids. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced by osmotic or heat stress was reduced in AtKLUox plants compared to WT plants. These findings suggest that KLU is involved in the cuticle biosynthesis, accumulation of cuticular wax, and reduction of ER stress induced by abiotic stresses, leading to the observed abiotic stress tolerances.

Abstract Na+ and Cl− are the most abundant dissolved ions in seawater, constituting ~ 85% of total ions. They significantly affect the osmolality of body fluids of marine invertebrates. Seawater also contains minor ions such as Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, and SO42‐ , but their effects on marine organisms are unclear. This study analyzed the effects of Mg2+, Ca2+, and K+ (ambient minor cations) on survival, hemolymph ionic composition, and gene expression in the gills of three euryhaline crabs: Helice tridens, Macrophthalmus japonicus, and Chiromantes dehaani. Ambient minor cations were required for survival of H. tridens and M. japonicus under isosmotic conditions with seawater. The ambient minor cations also affected the osmolality and ionic composition of hemolymph by regulating expressions of specific genes in the gills required for Na+ uptake, such as Na+/K+ ATPase, cytoplasmic carbonic anhydrase, and Na+/H+ exchanger. Administration of carbonic anhydrase and Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitors increased the survival rate even if ambient minor cations did not exist. In contrast, under hypo‐osmotic conditions, ambient minor cations had different effects on crabs, a lethal effect on M. japonicus, and an increase of the hemolymph K+ concentration in H. tridens and M. japonicus. It is thus concluded that the effects of ambient minor cations are osmolality‐dependent. In contrast, in C. dehaani, the hemolymph ionic composition and survival rate were hardly affected by ambient minor cations, probably reflecting the habitat of this species. These results strongly indicated that C. dehaani is less susceptive to ambient minor cations compared to H. tridens and M. japonicus.

Purpose: To report the efficacy of anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNFα) on autoimmune-mediated macular cone dysfunction in a Japanese woman with ulcerative colitis (UC). Observations: A 41-year-old woman presented with bilateral visual acuity loss and photophobia. She suffered from UC, and had been treated with prednisolone and 5-aminosalicylate since age 37. Although fundus photographs and optic coherence tomography images were unremarkable, electroretinograms (ERGs) were abnormal. A full-field electroretinogram (full-field ERG) revealed mildly decreased cone responses and oscillatory potential responses bilaterally. Importantly, focal-macular ERG (fmERG) and a multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) revealed severe macular cone dysfunction in both eyes. Infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal anti-TNFα antibody, was administrated to treat recurrent abdominal symptoms and continued at 8-week intervals. Almost 6 months after infliximab therapy, the mfERG response (especially in the central retina), the fmERG response, and visual acuity recovered bilaterally. Abdominal symptoms also improved after infliximab therapy. Conclusions and importance: Bilateral cone dysfunction with normal fundus were observed in a UC patient, resulting in loss of visual acuity and photophobia. This retinopathy may have been caused by an autoimmune mechanism, such as an autoimmune retinopathy or acute zonal occult outer retinopathy, which is most identifiable by ERG changes. This is the first report demonstrating the efficacy of infliximab in autoimmune retinal dysfunction.

This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate the ocular biometry of Japanese people through a multicenter approach. The uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA and CDVA, respectively) in the log minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), subjective and objective spherical equivalent values (SE) of ocular refraction, anterior and posterior corneal curvature (ACC and PCC, respectively), anterior and posterior corneal asphericity (ACA and PCA, respectively), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and ocular axial length (AL) were measured in the eyes of 250 participants (mean age = 46.5 ± 18.0 years, range: 20–90 years) across five institutions in Japan. The mean UDVA, CDVA, subjective SE, objective SE, ACC, PCC, ACA, PCA, CCT, ACD, and AL were 0.68, −0.08, −2.42 D, −2.66 D, 7.77 mm, 6.33 mm, −0.31, −0.39, 0.55 mm, 2.92 mm, and 24.78 mm, respectively. Age-related changes and sex-based differences were noted in the visual acuity, refraction, corneal shape, ACD, and AL. Our results serve as basis for future studies aiming to develop refractive correction methods and various vision-related fields.

Opioid receptors (ORs) are classified into three types (μ, δ, and κ), and opioid analgesics are mainly mediated by μOR activation; however, their use is sometimes restricted by unfavorable effects. The selective κOR agonist nalfurafine was initially developed as an analgesic, but its indication was changed because of the narrow safety margin. The activation of ORs mainly induces two intracellular signaling pathways: a G-protein-mediated pathway and a β-arrestin-mediated pathway. Recently, the expectations for κOR analgesics that selectively activate these pathways have increased; however, the structural properties required for the selectivity of nalfurafine are still unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the partial structures of nalfurafine that are necessary for the selectivity of these two pathways. We assayed the properties of nalfurafine and six nalfurafine analogs (SYKs) using cells stably expressing κORs. The SYKs activated κORs in a concentration-dependent manner with higher EC50 values than nalfurafine. Upon bias factor assessment, only SYK-309 (possessing the 3S-hydroxy group) showed higher selectivity of G-protein-mediated signaling activities than nalfurafine, suggesting the direction of the 3S-hydroxy group may affect the β-arrestin-mediated pathway. In conclusion, nalfurafine analogs having a 3S-hydroxy group, such as SYK-309, could be considered G-protein-biased κOR agonists.

A more objective assessment of the freshwater scarcity risk at a watershed basis scale contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in which water plays a key role in issues like safe and affordable drinking water, water-related disasters, forest management, biodiversity and ecosystems. Within the SDGs, water scarcity is assessed primarily by using the ratio of withdrawal to availability (WTA). This index has been developed to evaluate the average annual conditions on a broad scale, such as country or large basin. However, there are insufficient cases for assessing specific and detailed risk conditions by using this original WTA concept, due to seasonal and interannual variations of the river discharge and withdrawal volumes. For example, infrastructure (e.g. large dams) and its operation, can drastically change the available water and demand volumes at temporal scales finer than annual. Because recently many daily and monthly records of river discharge and water use have become publicly available, it is possible to conduct water scarcity risk assessments on a monthly basis. By employing these datasets, in this study, we propose to compare volumes of available water and demand by using a Sectoral and Statistical Demand to Availability (SS-DTA) index. The novelty of this index is marked not only by the use of monthly volumes of available and required water but also by how environmental water requirements are included and the statistical relevance of the evaluation. Usually, to determine the available water resources, existing methods deduct from the river discharge the volumes that are required to preserve the surrounding ecosystems. Our proposed method considers the environmental flow requirements as one of the water-demand sectors allowing a simultaneous evaluation of water use that is not possible with existing methods. We applied this method to three representative river basins, two located in Japan (the Tone and the Arakawa River basins) and the Brantas River basin in Indonesia. The results showed the variations of water scarcity risk level through the river operation in each river basin. In the Tone River basin, it was succeeded in a drought year to decrease its risk level from 1 to 0, and to transport sufficient volume of water to the Arakawa River basin through an artificial channel to meet the demands at the same time. In the Brantas River basin, the river operation changed the SS-DTA score from 3 to 2, which means the water scarcity risk level was alleviated, while the main impact of the operation was found in high-water season to decrease the flood risk. Because the number, type, and priority of water demands can be adjusted based on the local situation and all the timeseries data of each demand sector are visualized in parallel, the result includes not only the whole risk level of the river basin but also the practical and specific degree of the risk with demand sector information.

Insomnia is a major comorbid symptom of chronic pain and is likely to affect caregiver burden. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between insomnia in chronic pain patients and family caregiver burden. Participants were 60 patients with chronic pain of ≥3 months duration. Demographic and clinical information were collected using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), the Pain Disability Assessment Scale (PDAS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and a pain intensity numerical rating scale (NRS). Family members who accompanied chronic pain patients to hospital completed the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Univariate regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted to clarify the associations between ZBI scores and total/subscale AIS scores. Covariates were age; sex; pain duration; and scores on the PDAS, HADS anxiety subscale, HADS depression subscale, and NRS. Insomnia was independently associated with ZBI scores [β: 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.07-0.52, p = 0.001]. Scores on the AIS subscale of physical and mental functioning during the day were significantly associated with ZBI scores (β: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.05-0.59, p = 0.007). In conclusion, the findings suggest that in chronic pain patients, comorbid insomnia and physical and mental daytime functioning is associated with family caregiver burden independently of pain duration, pain-related disability, and pain intensity.

Crystallographic inversion induced shift of resonance frequency in zinc ferrite nanoparticle (ZF-NP) samples is studied here. ZF-NP samples were synthesized by a solution-based, low-temperature (