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Infectious bursal disease (IBD) causes severe economic damage to the poultry industry worldwide. To prevent IBD virus (IBDV) infection, live virus vaccines have been widely used in chickens having wide-ranging levels of maternally derived antibodies. But, the risks of infection with other pathogens because of lesions related to atrophy of the bursa of Fabricius in vaccinated chickens are a concern. To resolve the problems, a recombinant turkey herpesvirus (HVT) vaccine expressing IBDV-VP2 protein (rHVT-IBD) has been developed. However, the induction of neutralizing antibodies by rHVT-IBD against a virulent IBDV might be delayed compared with that by the live IBD vaccine, leading to the high risks of IBDV infection for young chickens. To find the best selection of IBDV vaccine for the onset of immunity, we examine the protective efficacy of a novel in ovo-attenuated live IBDV (IBD-CA) vaccine and the rHVT-IBD vaccine in young chickens challenged with a very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) strain. We show that the protective efficacy of IBD-CA vaccine was higher than that of the rHVT-IBD vaccine in 14-day-old chickens challenged with the vvIBDV strain, leading to the risk of IBDV infection for young chickens when vaccinated with rHVT-IBD. Our results suggest that farmers should select the best vaccines to maximize vaccine efficacy in consideration of the vaccine characteristics, prevalence levels of IBDV in the areas, and initial MDA levels of the chickens since the attenuated live and recombinant vaccines play a role in the different vaccine efficacies.

To become more broadly applicable, positions on AI ethics require perspectives from non-Western regions and cultures such as China and Japan. In this paper, we propose that the addition of the concept of harmony to the discussion on ethical AI would be highly beneficial due to its centrality in East Asian cultures and its applicability to the challenge of designing AI for social good. We first present a synopsis of different definitions of harmony in multiple contexts, such as music and society, which reveals that the concept is, at its core, about well-balanced relationships and appropriate actions which give rise to order, balance, and aesthetically pleasing phenomena. The mediator for these well-balanced relationships is Takt which is an ability to act thoughtfully and sensibly according to the specific situation and to put things into proportion and order. We propose that the central challenge of building harmonizing AI is to make intelligent systems tactful and also to design and use them tactfully. For an AI system to become tactful, it needs to be able to have an advanced sensitivity to the specific contexts which it is in and their social and ethical implications and have the capability of approximately inferring the emotional and cognitive states of people with whom it is interacting.

The human environment is currently undergoing massive change amid the rapid adoption of information and communications technology (ICT). ICT can be characterized as offering an opportunity to consider the nature of humanity, create new values, and foster new cultures. As humans, the question that technical innovation relating to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robots thrusts before us is, “What is a human?” What exactly are the things that AI will never be able to do, no matter how close it gets to human capabilities? What makes us humans, and what is it that only humans can do? This essay discusses the impact of AI technology on humans and society from the perspective of a turning point in how people perceive themselves and humanity.

Recently, the development of environmentally friendly syntheses of imine derivatives, which were attracting great attention for their reactivity and structure in various fields, progressed rapidly because the concept of green chemistry had deeply penetrated into society. In our previous work, we had reported new synthetic methods of imine derivatives using some active amines under solvent- and catalyst-free reaction conditions. This synthetic reaction proceeded smoothly and target compounds were obtained in excellent yields. In this system, when less reactive amines were used as substrates, the synthetic reaction was not finished in the short reaction time, and the corresponding compounds were given in moderate yields. In order to solve this point, we tried to improve the reaction conditions of this method. Through this improvement, it was found that pure target compounds could be obtained in excellent yields by using 1.1 equivalents of less reactive amines to aldehydes and extending the reaction time compared with our previous work. In this paper, we will introduce the detail of this study, and also report the result of the investigation of the reaction property by computational chemistry.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) causes severe economic damage to the poultry industry worldwide. To prevent IBD virus (IBDV) infection, live virus vaccines have been widely used in chickens having wide-ranging levels of maternally derived antibodies. But, the risks of infection with other pathogens because of lesions related to atrophy of the bursa of Fabricius in vaccinated chickens are a concern. To resolve the problems, a recombinant turkey herpesvirus (HVT) vaccine expressing IBDV-VP2 protein (rHVT-IBD) has been developed. However, the induction of neutralizing antibodies by rHVT-IBD against a virulent IBDV might be delayed compared with that by the live IBD vaccine, leading to the high risks of IBDV infection for young chickens. To find the best selection of IBDV vaccine for the onset of immunity, we examine the protective efficacy of a novel in ovo-attenuated live IBDV (IBD-CA) vaccine and the rHVT-IBD vaccine in young chickens challenged with a very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) strain. We show that the protective efficacy of IBD-CA vaccine was higher than that of the rHVT-IBD vaccine in 14-day-old chickens challenged with the vvIBDV strain, leading to the risk of IBDV infection for young chickens when vaccinated with rHVT-IBD. Our results suggest that farmers should select the best vaccines to maximize vaccine efficacy in consideration of the vaccine characteristics, prevalence levels of IBDV in the areas, and initial MDA levels of the chickens since the attenuated live and recombinant vaccines play a role in the different vaccine efficacies.

In the field of organic syntheses, the development of environmentally friendly methods based on the concept of green chemistry has been always required. In response to this requirement, we reported solvent- and catalyst-free syntheses of imines using the pressure reduction technique as a key technology. We found that this reaction proceeded very rapidly in the initial stage, but its rate decreased with the passage of time. It was also found that the reaction of benzaldehyde with aniline had a specificity that the phase transition occurred. In this method, the desired imines could be obtained in good to excellent yields, but target compounds had to be given by purifications using organic solvents. Therefore, we tried to develop the perfect synthetic method of imine derivatives without organic or inorganic solvents. We selected two methods and took them into this investigation. One was exactly mixing (1:1, substance ratio) aldehydes and amines and the other was employing lower pressure (>0.1 mmHg, previous method: 1.0 mmHg) at the pressure reducing technique. When this improved synthetic method was performed, it was revealed that pure target imines were obtained in excellent yields without any purification.

Background No-touch environmental disinfection using ultraviolet devices has been highlighted in the past several years to control the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). However, its effectiveness in non-US healthcare settings is yet to be examined. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of disinfection by portable pulsed xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) devices in controlling transmission of MDROs in a non-US healthcare setting. Methods All patients admitted in the intensive care unit in a 629-bed tertiary referral hospital in Japan from August 2016 to February 2019 were enrolled. During the study period, PX-UV disinfection was added to manual terminal cleaning after every patient transfer/discharge. For microbiological evaluation, surfaces were selected for sampling by contact plates before/after manual cleaning and after PX-UV. After overnight incubation, colonies on the plates were counted. Results The incidence of newly acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) declined significantly (13.8 to 9.9 per 10,000 patient days, incidence rate ratio 0.71, p = 0.002), as well as that of newly acquired drug-resistant Acinetobacter (48.5 to 18.1, 0.37, p Conclusions PX-UV is effective in further reducing the microbial burden and controlling MDROs in a non-US healthcare setting.

We found that the birefringence of miscible blends of dissimilar polycarbonates was lower than those of the neat component polymers though the sign of the birefringence was same. The modulus and birefringence of the blends decreased more gently in the glass transition region but more steeply in the rubbery plateau region than those of the neat component polymers. The modulus and birefringence relaxation curve fitting with the KWW and modified Rouse equations revealed wider distortion relaxation and orientation distributions in the blends than in the neat component polymers. The wide distortion relaxation might be attributed to the dynamic asymmetry of the blends. The orientation relaxed faster in the blend than in the component polymers, indicating accelerated orientation relaxation, which could be explained by assuming cooperative relaxation of the component polymers strongly affected by fast relaxation component of the low-Tg one due to the dynamic asymmetry with a large glass transition temperature difference between the component polymers. Owing to the accelerated relaxation, the elongated blends exhibited lower birefringence than the component polymers.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is considered the most effective treatment for early‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients unsuitable for resection. However, poor outcome after RFA has occasionally been reported worldwide. To predict such an outcome, we investigated imaging findings using contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with Sonazoid and serum tumor markers before RFA. This study included 176 early‐stage HCC patients who had initially achieved successful RFA. Patients were examined using CEUS; their levels of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), Lens culinaris agglutinin‐reactive fraction of AFP (AFP‐L3), and des‐gamma‐carboxy prothrombin before RFA were measured. Sonazoid provided parenchyma‐specific contrast imaging and facilitated tumor vascular architecture imaging through maximum intensity projection (MIP). Kaplan–Meier analysis examined cumulative rates of local tumor progression, intrasubsegmental recurrence, and survival; factors associated with these were determined with Cox proportional hazards analysis. Local tumor progression (n = 15), intrasubsegmental recurrence (n = 46), and death (n = 18) were observed. Irregular pattern in MIP classification and serum AFP‐L3 level (>10%) before RFA were identified as independent risk factors for local tumor progression and intrasubsegmental recurrence. These two factors were independently associated with poor survival after RFA (irregular pattern in MIP: hazard ratio, (HR) = 8.26; 95% confidence interval, (CI) = 2.24–30.3; P = 0.002 and AFP‐L3 > 10%: HR = 2.94; 95% CI = 1.09–7.94; P = 0.033). Irregular MIP pattern by CEUS and high level of serum AFP‐L3 were independent risk factors for poor outcome after successful RFA. The Patients with these findings should be considered as special high‐risk group in early‐stage HCC.

H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses have spread worldwide, and antigenic variants of different clades have been selected. In this study, the national stockpiled vaccine prepared from A/duck/Hokkaido/Vac-1/2004 (H5N1) strain was evaluated for the protective efficacy against H5N8 HPAI virus isolated in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, in April 2014. In the challenge test, all of the vaccinated chickens survived without showing any clinical signs and reduced virus shedding. It was concluded that the present stockpiled vaccine was effective against the H5N8 HPAI virus.

The selective deprotection of a benzoyl group was very important methodology in the field of organic synthesis. Various methods for debenzoylation were investigated and developed in the past six decades, but more useful and selective strategies are now being strongly desired. In response to this strong demand, we developed the novel and selective deprotection of a benzoyl group by use of samarium(II) dibromide and a proton source. This deprotective reaction proceeded smoothly and the desired compound was obtained in good to excellent yields. In this paper, we will report the details of this deprotective reaction.

Background Contact precautions do not necessarily control transmission of MDROs as other route of transmission such as patient environment may be significant. No-touch environmental disinfection has been highlighted in the past several years to control transmission of MDROs. The effectiveness of portable Pulsed Xenon Ultraviolet (PX-UV) device has been examined and demonstrated in US healthcare settings. However, its effectiveness outside the US healthcare setting is seldom reported. Methods This study was conducted in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Yamagata University Hospital, a 637-bed tertiary referral hospital. The ICU has six rooms and beds. In the baseline period (August 2016 to January 2018), all rooms were manually cleaned after every patient transfer/discharge. In the intervention period (February 2018 to February 2019), PX-UV disinfection was added after the manual cleaning. In both periods, all patients were screened for MRSA and two drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (2DRA) to detect acquisition of those pathogens in the ICU. For microbiological evaluation, surfaces were selected for sampling by contact plates before/after manual cleaning and after PX-UV. After overnight incubation, colonies on the plates were counted. Results The incidence of newly acquired MRSA declined over time (1.40 per 1,000 patient-days in the baseline period to 0.95 in the intervention period, relative risk (RR): 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.12–3.70). The incidence of newly acquired 2DRA further declined (4.91 to 1.90, RR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.13–1.18). Notably, no new acquisition of 2DRA was observed since August 2018 for more than 7 months, not only in the ICU but also throughout the hospital. The total count of colonies in the sampling of 140 sites after 17 patient discharges were 3,540 (before manual cleaning), 669 (after manual cleaning, before PX-UV) and 261 (after PX-UV). The percent reduction of microbiological burden by manual cleaning was 81%, but a further 61% reduction was achieved by PX-UV. Conclusion PX-UV is effective in further reducing the microbial burden even after through manual cleaning, which presumably led to termination of transmission of 2DRA in our hospital. The effectiveness of PX-UV in controlling MDROs in the non-US healthcare settings is suggested. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Aim The presence of resistance-associated variants (RAV) may attenuate the efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) in combination therapy for hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to characterize the NS3 and NS5A regions of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in naturally occurring RAV. Methods The NS3 and NS5A regions of HCV were amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction and their nucleotide sequences were determined by direct sequencing in 493 genotype 1b patients naive to DAA-based therapies. The effect of baseline RAV on response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy was analyzed in 65 patients after stratification by interleukin (IL)-28B genotype. Results The incidence of RAV was 7.9% in NS3 (V36I/L, 1.2%; T54S, 2.8%; Q80K/R, 3.0%; A156S, 0.2%; and D168E/T, 2.4%) and 20.2% in NS5A (L31I/M, 2.2%; and Y93H, 19.0%). The incidence in interferon experienced and naive patients was similar. The incidence of Y93H in NS5A was significantly higher in the IL-28B TT genotype (rs8099917) than non-TT (27.1% vs 9.5%, P

We performed a prospective study to evaluate the ability of L-carnitine, which is involved in the β-oxidation of fatty acids, to reduce muscle cramps in patients with cirrhosis. Consecutive patients with cirrhosis and muscle cramps were given L-carnitine 300 mg, 3 times/day (900 mg/day, n = 19) or 4 times/day (1200 mg/day, n = 23) for 8 weeks. The frequency of muscle cramps was assessed by questionnaires, and the degree of muscle cramping was assessed by using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Muscle cramping was reduced in 88.1% of all subjects at the end of the 8-week study period and disappeared for 28.6% of patients. Overall VAS scores decreased significantly from 69.9 ± 22.5 at baseline to 26.2 ± 29.1 after 8 weeks (P .0001). The dose of L-carnitine was significantly associated with percentages of patients with reduced muscle cramps after 8 weeks (43.5% in the 1200 mg/day group vs 10.5% in the 900 mg/day group, P = .037) and VAS scores at 8 weeks (9.9 ± 13.5 in the 1200 mg/day group vs 39.6 ± 31.9 in the 900 mg/day group, P = .003). No adverse events were reported. Therefore, L-carnitine appears to be safe and effective for reducing liver cramps in patients with cirrhosis.

Aims Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA)-positive human Mac-2-binding protein (WFA+-M2BP) is a new glycol marker related to liver fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate WFA+-M2BP as a predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods This case–control study included 14 patients with chronic hepatitis C who developed HCC and 52controls, matched for age, gender, and fibrosis stage. WFA+-M2BP was measured at biopsy and follow-up. Time zero was set at the date of liver biopsy. Results WFA+-M2BP increased stepwise with progression of liver fibrosis (p < 0.001). Cumulative incidence of HCC development was significantly higher in patients with WFA+-M2BP ≥4.2 (p < 0.001) or in those with time-course changes in WFA+-M2BP (ΔWFA+-M2BP/year) ≥0.3 (p = 0.03). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that WFA+-M2BP ≥4.2 [hazard ratio (HR): 4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–15, p = 0.04], ΔWFA+-M2BP/year ≥0.3 (HR: 5.5, 95% CI: 1.5–19, p = 0.008), and AFP ≥10 ng/ml (HR: 4.7, 95% CI: 1.1–19, p = 0.03) were independent predictive factors of HCC development. Based on these data, we developed a simple scoring system to predict HCC development using these three factors. Using these scores, patients were classified into four groups; cumulative incidence of HCC development significantly increased with increasing scores (p < 0.001). Conclusions WFA+-M2BP measurements and time-course changes in WFA+-M2BP can be used to identify patients at high risk of HCC development. Real-time monitoring of WFA+-M2BP can be a novel predictor of HCC development.

Objective A scanning acoustic microscope can show images created from the high-frequency sound's speed through tissues. The objective of this study was to determine the availability of the scanning acoustic microscope in the diagnosis of the squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Methods We used SAM to obtain images of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, and we analyzed the differences in the sound speed between lesions and healthy regions in the mucous epithelium. The subjects were 10 patients (5 males and 5 females, 41–88 years old, avg. 64.0 years) who underwent partial resection of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Results The results showed significantly higher sound speeds in the lesions compared to the healthy regions in the mucous epithelium. The scanning acoustic microscope provides the general benefits as follows: images are acquired in a few minutes without any staining and the sound speeds from each region are provided as digital data and comparable among diseases. Conclusions Our observations suggest that the scanning acoustic microscope imaging can be very helpful for determining the margin of squamous cell carcinoma.

We observed increasing unserotypable (UT) Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae isolates using agar gel diffusion (AGD) test. To reanalyze their serovar, we performed rapid slide agglutination (RSA) test and multiplex PCR for 47 UT isolates. Of these, 25 were serovar 1 (UT-serovar 1), 20 were serovar 2 (UT-serovar 2) and 2 were serovar 15 (UT-serovar 15). We examined serotyping antigen extraction temperature to determine heat influence. UT-serovar 1 and 15 were influenced by heat, because their precipitation lines were observed in the case of low antigen extraction temperature. To investigate the relationship between antigenicity and genotype, we performed pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis using UT-serovar 2 and 15. The predominant PFGE pattern of UT-serovar 2 was identical to that of serovar 2.

Objectives: Recent reports indicated that reduced SLC22A7 (a gene-encoding organic anion transporter 2) expression in noncancerous liver tissue predicts hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after curative resection. Our study aimed to elucidate the association between SLC22A7 expression and HCC development in chronic hepatitis C patients. Methods: HCC recurrence after local ablation therapy and SLC22A7 expression in noncancerous liver tissue were analyzed in 20 patients. Subsequently, the association between de novo HCC development and SLC22A7 expression was examined at baseline in 38 hepatitis C patients without HCC who subsequently developed HCC as well as in 76 hepatitis C patients who did not develop HCC and were matched for age, gender and stage of fibrosis. Results: In the patients whose HCC had been cured, reduced SLC22A7 expression in noncancerous liver tissue was significantly associated with a high incidence of multifocal HCC recurrence. In patients without HCC at baseline, cumulative incidence of de novo HCC development was significantly higher with a reduced SLC22A7 expression than with a normal expression (p = 0.01). This difference remained significant among patients without known risk factors for HCC like age and advanced fibrosis. Conclusion: Reduced SLC22A7 expression in the liver indicates a significant risk for HCC development in chronic hepatitis C, independently of other risk factors.

This study investigates the effects of three facets of work autonomy (i.e., method, schedule, and criteria) on employees’ innovative behaviors. In addition, it examines the effects of each facet of work autonomy on innovative behavior in line with the self-determination theory. Furthermore, based on the trait activation theory, this study explores the interacting influences of the different facets of work autonomy with proactive personality on innovative behavior. Data were collected from the sample of 502 employees and 102 supervisors working for a forging factory in Japan. The results confirm the validity of work autonomy scales. It also finds that innovative behavior is independently affected by work method autonomy and work schedule autonomy as well as work criteria autonomy interacting with proactive personality. These findings are discussed in terms of promoting employees’ engagement in innovative behavior.

Objectives To evaluate usefulness of peribiliary oedema on computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing acute cholangitis and assessing its severity. Materials and methods Sixty patients (male 59%, mean age 67.3 years) who underwent endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) for suspected biliary obstruction within 6 h after contrast-enhanced CT were evaluated. Two radiologists performed a consensus evaluation of CT for the presence of peribiliary oedema. Patients were divided into the cholangitis group and the non-cholangitis group based on clinical and ERBD findings, and CT results were compared between the two groups. In the cholangitis group, laboratory values and blood culture results were compared between those with and without peribiliary oedema. Chi-squared test was used for analyses. Results Of 60 enrolled patients, there were 46 patients in the cholangitis group and 14 patients in the non-cholangitis group. Peribiliary oedema was seen in 24/46 (52.2%) patients in the cholangitis group and 3/14 (23.3%) patients in the non-cholangitis group ( p = 0.043). In the cholangitis group, positive blood culture was seen in 12/24 (50%) patients with peribiliary oedema and 4/22 (18.1%) patients without it ( p = 0.03). Conclusions Peribiliary oedema appears to be useful for diagnosis and severity assessment of acute cholangitis.

Aim Real-time tissue elastography (RTE) is a non-invasive method for the measurement of tissue elasticity using ultrasonography. Liver fibrosis (LF) index is a quantitative method for evaluation of liver fibrosis calculated by RTE image features. This study aimed to investigate the significance of LF index for predicting liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. Methods In this prospective study, 115 patients with chronic hepatitis C who underwent liver biopsy were included, and the diagnostic accuracy of LF index and serum fibrosis markers was evaluated. Results RTE imaging was successfully performed on all patients. Median LF index in patients with F0–1, F2, F3 and F4 were 2.61, 3.07, 3.54 and 4.25, respectively, demonstrating a stepwise increase with liver fibrosis progression (P

The aim of this paper is to provide perspectives on conducting an international comparative study of happiness. This comparative survey, which the Free University of Berlin, Germany, and Kyoto University began jointly in 2008, is a truly international, interdisciplinary research project that designated Japan and Germany as sites for anthropological fieldwork where experts in philosophy, sociology, and pedagogy would jointly tackle the same field. Employing a historical and cultural anthropology perspective, this research project starts with the assumption not to seek to identify a model of happiness or well-being that goes beyond history and culture. Rather, the main focus of the research has been on how happiness and well-being are constructed in interactions among family members in the course of their various daily practices as well as in the ritual practices involved in families celebrating a festive occasion. First, in addressing family happiness, we examined the Christmas period for German households as typical seasonal festivity celebrated by families.

Objectives: This study aimed to build a prediction score of prognosis for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after sorafenib treatment. Methods: A total of 165 patients with advanced HCC who were treated with sorafenib were analyzed. Readily available baseline factors were used to establish a scoring system for the prediction of survival. Results: The median survival time (MST) was 14.2 months. The independent prognostic factors were C-reactive protein (CRP) 3.5 g/dL (HR =0.55), alpha-fetoprotein Conclusions: A novel prognostic scoring system, which includes the CRP level, has the ability to stratify the prognosis of patients with advanced stage HCC after treatment with sorafenib.

α-L-Aspartyl-D-phenylalanine methyl ester (L, D-APM) and α-D-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (D, L-APM) are diastereomers of aspartame (N-L-α-Aspartyl-L-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester, L, L-APM). The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives has set 0.04 wt% as the maximum permitted level of the sum of L, D-APM and D, L-APM in commercially available L, L-APM. In this study, we developed and validated a simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using an ODS column to determine L, D-APM and D, L-APM in L, L-APM. The limits of detection and quantification, respectively, of L, D-APM and D, L-APM were found to be 0.0012 wt% and 0.004 wt%. This method gave excellent accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility in a recovery test performed on five different days. Moreover, the method was successfully applied to the determination of these diastereomers in commercial L, L-APM samples. Thus, the developed method is a simple, useful, and practical tool for determining L, D-APM and D, L-APM levels in L, L-APM.