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OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prospective effects of corporate and organizational workplace measures against COVID-19 on reducing employees` psychological distress during a 12-month follow-up in the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Data were retrieved from an online longitudinal panel survey of full-time employees in Japan, with the 1^st survey in March 2020, and the 2^nd to 6^th surveys in May, August, November 2020, February and March 2021, respectively. Seven area-specific workplace measures were assessed using a self-report 23-item scale at the 2^nd follow-up. Psychological distress was measured using an 18-item scale of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire at each survey. Linear regressions and mixed model analysis were conducted of psychological distress at follow-ups on scores of the area-specific workplace measures, adjusting for psychological distress and other covariates at the 1^st survey. RESULTS: A total of 941 employees responded at baseline; most of them (86.9–90.9%) participated in the follow-up surveys. Linear regression analysis indicated that workplace measures of facilitating employees’ preventive measures (ie, hygiene behaviors) statistically significantly and negatively correlated with psychological distress at the 5^th survey [b=-0.518, standard error (SE) 0.259, P=0.046]. A statistically significant and negative interaction between the scores and time of follow-up was observed in the mixed model analysis (b=-0.096, SE 0.047, P=0.041). No such correlation or interaction was found for any of other subcategorical workplace measures. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides prospective evidence for a protective effect of workplace measures to facilitate employee’s hygiene behaviors on reducing psychological distress of full-time employees in the COVID-19 pandemic. The association seems stronger at a later follow-up.

Abstract Aim Previous studies evaluated the association between eating alone and mental health mainly in older people and adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the association between dinner frequency with others and psychological distress during the COVID‐19 outbreak among the Japanese working population. Methods Data were acquired from a prospective online cohort study (the Employee Cohort Study in the COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan) conducted in February 2021 as a cross‐sectional design. Dinner frequency with others was categorized into five groups: “almost daily,” “4–5 times per week,” “2–3 times per week,” “once per week,” and “less than once per week,” setting them as a predictor variable. Modified Poisson regression was performed to calculate the prevalence ratio of psychological distress with multiple imputation for missing data. Global fear and worry about COVID‐19 were adjusted as a covariate. Results A total of 1171 participants completed the questionnaire. Respondents who ate dinner with others “almost daily” had the least psychological distress than those who ate with others “4–5 times,” “2–3 times,” and “once per week” in the crude model (prevalence ratio (95% CI): 1 [reference], 1.34 [1.08–1.67], 1.40 [1.15–1.69], 1.44 [1.12–1.85], respectively). The association was comparable after adjusting for global fear and worry about COVID‐19. Conclusions Among those who ate dinner with others at least once a week, those who ate with others “almost daily” had the least psychological distress. The association was comparable after adjusting for global fear and worry about COVID‐19. Further study is needed on why those who eat with others less than once a week may have a lower prevalence ratio of having mental distress.

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of vaccination to improve mental health among employees in Japan based on a prospective study. Methods The data were retrieved from the Employee Cohort Study conducted during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan (E‐ COCO‐J) at T1 (4–10 February 2021) and T2 (22–29 June 2021). Psychological distress was measured by using an 18‐item scale of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ). The analytic sample was limited to individuals employed at both T1 and T2 without missing covariates. Vaccination status was measured at T2. Statistical analysis was conducted to test the differential change in the psychological distress at T1 and T2 with the time × group interactions by using repeated ANOVA, adjusting for the covariates (gender, age, marital status, education, chronic disease, company size, industry, and occupation). Results Of the total sample (N = 948), 105 (11.1%) were vaccinated at least once at T2. The crude mean scores of psychological distress at T1 and T2 were 41.8 and 42.0 for vaccinated participants and 41.2 and 41.2 for nonvaccinated participants, respectively, with no significant effect of having been vaccinated (Cohen's d = 0.02, P = 0.833). After adjusting the covariates, there was no significance (P = 0.446). Conclusions The COVID‐19 vaccination was supposed to have a limited effect on mental health among Japanese employees in an early phase of vaccination. To keep providing mental health care for employees is important even after starting the vaccination program.

Objectives: This 2-month cohort study aimed to investigate the changing prevalence and factors associated with COVID-19-related workplace bullying among the general workers in Japan. Methods: A baseline survey was conducted of 4,120 full-time workers at Time 1 (March 2020) and they were invited to a follow-up survey at Time 2 (May 2020) after the outbreak of COVID-19 in Japan. The prevalence of COVID-19-related workplace bullying was compared between Time 1 and Time 2 by using McNemar’s test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the associations between occupation (health care and non-health care workers), socioeconomic status, living in areas under the national emergency announcement, workplace measures against COVID-19, occupational class, chronic physical comorbidities, chronic mental comorbidities, and COVID-19-related workplace bullying at Time 2, adjusting for that at Time 1. Results: A total of 1,421 responded to the survey at Time 2. Data from 996 respondents after excluding 36 who retired during the follow-up were analyzed. The prevalence of COVID-19-related workplace bullying increased more than double from Time 1 (2.8%) to Time 2 (6.5%). Being a manual worker (OR=3.80), having higher education (OR=2.37), and having chronic physical comorbidity (OR=2.11) was significantly associated with the COVID-19-related workplace bullying at Time 2. Conclusions: COVID-19-related workplace bullying increased during the outbreak of COVID-19 in Japan. A lower-class occupation (manual workers) and having chronic physical comorbidity may be associated with greater victimization of COVID-19-related workplace bullying, while those with high educational attainment may be more sensitive to it.

Abstract The freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis has a long research history, but only relatively recently has it emerged as an attractive model organism to study molecular mechanisms in the areas of developmental biology and translational medicine such as learning/memory and neurodegenerative diseases. The species has the advantage of being a hermaphrodite and can both cross- and self-mate, which greatly facilitates genetic approaches. The establishment of body-handedness, or chiromorphogenesis, is a major topic of study, since chirality is evident in the shell coiling. Chirality is maternally inherited, and only recently a gene-editing approach identified the actin-related gene Lsdia1 as the key handedness determinant. This short article reviews the natural habitat, life cycle, major research questions and interests, and experimental approaches.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the longitudinal change in the mental health of healthcare and non-healthcare workers during two months of the COVID-19 outbreak in Japan. METHODS: Data were derived from a prospective online cohort study of 1448 full-time employees in Japan. Participants were surveyed at baseline from 19–22 March 2020 (T1) and at follow-up from 22–26 May 2020 (T2). A self-administered online questionnaire was used to assess participants’ fear and worry of COVID-19, psychological distress, and physical symptoms at T1 and T2. A series of generalized linear models were created to assess changes in outcomes between healthcare and non-healthcare workers. Demographic variables (ie, sex, age, marital status, child[ren], education, and residential area) were included in the models as covariates. RESULTS: A total of 1032 participants completed the follow-up questionnaire at T2 (follow-up rate, 72.6%). After excluding unemployed respondents (N=17), the final sample comprised 1015 full-time employees (111 healthcare and 904 non-healthcare workers). After adjusting for the covariates, psychological distress (and subscales of fatigue, anxiety, and depression) as well as fear and worry of COVID-19 increased statistically significantly more among healthcare than non-healthcare workers from T1 to T2. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological distress, together with fear and worry of COVID-19, increased more among healthcare compared to non-healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. The study confirmed that healthcare workers are an important target for mental healthcare during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Objectives This study investigated the change in suicidal ideation and its risk factors among employees. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted, starting with the baseline online survey in March 2020 (T1), followed by May (T2), and August (T3). The change in suicidal ideation from T2 to T3 and relevant factors associated with suicidal ideation at T3 were examined. Suicidal ideation significantly increased between May and August 2020 among females, younger (under 39 years old), highly educated population, and those without pre-existing mental health conditions. Factors significantly associated with suicidal ideation were younger age, suicidal ideation at T2, and with pre-existing mental health conditions. Loneliness at T2 showed a significant association with suicidal ideation, if adjusting those without pre-existing mental health conditions. National and community support is needed to target people who are likely to be left behind, such as young people and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, in the pandemic. Method A longitudinal study was conducted with a cohort of full-time employees, starting with the baseline online survey in March 2020 (time point 1), followed by May (time point 2) and August (time point 3). The change in suicidal ideation from time point 2 to 3, and relevant factors associated with suicidal ideation at time point 3, were examined. Results Suicidal ideation significantly increased between time points 2 and 3 among women, younger people (aged

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate workplace measures implemented in response to COVID-19 during the outbreak in Japan from T1 (March 2020) to T2 (May 2020), focusing on the disparities by company size and industry. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted using a cohort of full-time employees, starting with the baseline online survey on March 19–22, 2020 (T1). An online follow-up survey was conducted on May 22–26, 2020 (T2). The McNemar test was used to assess differences between T1 and T2 in the proportion of implemented measurements. Analysis of covariance was performed to compare the differences in the number of implemented measures across groups classified by company size or industry, adjusting for sex and age. Results: A total of 1,032 participants (response rate: 72.6%) completed the follow-up questionnaire. The final analytic sample comprised n=987. The workplace measures involving the delivery of information on COVID-19 were 88.4% at T2, which significantly increased from T1 (increased 8.6%, p

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the number of workplace measures implemented to respond to the COVID-19 epidemic reported by employees and their association with company size and industry among employees in Japan. Methods: A cross-sectional online questionnaire survey was conducted of full-time employees in Japan from March 19–22, 2020. Questions were about announcements by the company of measures taken and 23 items of workplace measures. Associations of company size and industry with the announcements and the number of workplace measures were analyzed. Results: The final sample consisted of 1,379 respondents. The mean number of implemented preventive measures for COVID-19 among 23 items was 11.2 (standard deviation, 5.9). Proportions of respondents who reported receiving announcement of measures taken was high (79.9%), as were proportions of respondents reporting implementation of some of the workplace measures, while the less than half reported implementation of most of the workplace measures. The announcement of measures and the number of workplace measures that were implemented in the workplace were generally lower/smaller among respondents in smaller companies and in retail, wholesale, and transportation industries. Conclusions: While most respondents reported receiving information about measures by their companies/organizations, it may be a further challenge to implement workplace measures in smaller companies and companies in retail, wholesale, and transportation industries.

Abstract Background Previous reports showed that oral administration of Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain NTM048 increases IgA levels and CD4+ T cell population in feces and mice, respectively, as revealed by flow cytometric analysis of splenocytes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chocolate supplemented with L. mesenteroides strain NTM048 (> 1.00 × 109 CFU/day, NTM048) on the immune parameters of healthy subjects, using a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study design. Methods Participants (mean age: 46.3 years) ingested 28 g of test food daily, at a time of their own choice, for 4 weeks. The immunological parameters of all participants were evaluated two times (pre- and post- ingestion). At the end of the study, various immunological parameters of the participants were measured and scoring of immunological vigor (SIV) was performed using a comprehensive algorithm. Results Ingestion of NTM048-supplemented chocolate significantly improved SIV in the NTM048 group (18.6 ± 1.6) compared to that in the placebo group (17.8 ± 2.0) after 4 weeks (p = 0.049). Several immunological parameters (CD8+T cells, CD8+CD28+ T cells, and memory T cells) were significantly elevated in the NTM048 group as compared to the placebo group (all p

ObjectiveEpidemiologic evidence on long working hour and diabetes has been conflicting. We examined the association between overtime work and prevalence of diabetes among Japanese workers.MethodsThe subjects were 40,861 employees (35,170 men and 5,691 women), aged 16 to 83 years, of 4 companies in Japan. Hours of overtime were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Diabetes was defined as a fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l), hemoglobin A1c ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol), or current use of anti-diabetic drug. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratio of diabetes for each category of overtime.ResultsAfter adjustment for age, sex, company, smoking, and BMI, there was a suggestion of U-shaped relationship between overtime work and prevalence of diabetes (P for quadratic trend = 0.07). Compared with those who worked ConclusionsLong hours of overtime work may not be associated with increased prevalence of diabetes among Japanese workers.

While loneliness and social isolation in the workplace affect the mental health and job performance of employees, the effects of loneliness without distress and solitude (i.e., chosen isolation) on these outcomes are unclear. The cross-sectional association was examined by using online survey of full-time employees in Japan (n=846). The results showed that the "loneliness with distress" group had significantly higher psychological distress and lower job performance than the other groups. Work engagement was lower both in the "loneliness with distress" and "loneliness without distress" groups, compared to the "non-loneliness" group. The "unchosen isolation" and the "solitude" groups had poorer scores of psychological distress, work engagement, and work performance, compared to the "non-isolation" group. The preliminary findings showed that loneliness without distress and solitude were associated with poor levels of mental health and job performance and should become a target of mental health promotion interventions in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has spread throughout the world. Poor mental health has been reported among healthcare professionals responding to COVID-19. However, no study has examined the impact of COVID-19-related workplace bullying or patient aggression on the mental health of healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 outbreak. This study examined the prevalence of COVID-19-related workplace bullying and patient aggression and its association with psychological distress among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 outbreak in Japan. This was a cross-sectional study conducted from May 22 to 26, 2020, inviting participants (n = 1,421) from an online survey of full-time employees. We limited the sample to healthcare professionals for further analyses. Using an online selfreport questionnaire, workplace bullying and patient aggression related to COVID-19 was measured using nine items with dichotomous response options. Psychological distress was measured using the Japanese version of Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Among 1,032 participants (72.6%) who completed the survey, 111 healthcare professionals were identified. Among them, 19 participants (17.1%) had experienced any COVID-19-related workplace bullying or patient aggression: 11 participants (9.9%) had experienced any workplace bullying and 12 participants (10.8%) had experienced any patient aggression. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that any bullying or patient aggression related to COVID-19 significantly correlated with psychological distress. It was suggested that a non-negligible proportion of participants experienced workplace bullying or patient aggression related to COVID-19. Preventing and reducing workplace bullying and patient aggression may be effective in improving mental health of healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organicpigment, 2-Methyl-3-(4-fluorophenylthio)-1,4-naphthalenedione (2), that is a new Vitamin K derivative bearing a fluorine group, did not show any polymorphism disregard of three different solvents. For comparison, its naphthoquinone analogue with a bromine group (1) showed clearly polymorphism susceptible to these solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dinucleating ligand containing two cyclic rings of dimethylcyclam bridging zinc and nickel dimetallic complexes in a cofacial arrangement was produced. The metal-metal separation ranges from 5.4 to 5.8 amstrongs, and is larger in halogen bridges in dinickel complexes. This ligand has diverse properties such as binding to substrates in a catalytic reaction and aiding interaction between metals.

The article focuses on a study conducted by the authors related to association between circadian typology and depression and fatigue in male employees of Japan. Topics discussed include chronic fatigue in evening type, relationship between circadian typology and depression and fatigue among employees, sleep-maintaining insomnia in evening type, relationship between number of working hours and fatigue and an increase in Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) with lack of exercise.

The handedness of gastropods is genetically determined, but the molecular nature of the gene responsible and the associated mechanisms remain unknown. In order to characterize the chiromorphogenesis pathway starting from the gene to the left-right asymmetric body plan, we have closely analyzed the cytoskeletal dynamics of the Physa (P) acuta embryo, a fresh water non-dimorphic sinistral snail, during the early developmental stage by mechanically altering the handedness of the embryos at the critical spiral third cleavage. A fertile situs inversus was created and the nodal-Pitx gene expression patterns were completely mirror imaged to the wild type at the trochophore stage.Together with our previous work on Lymnaea (L.) stagnalis, we could show that chirality is established at the third cleavage, as dictated by the single handedness-determining gene locus, and then chirality information is transferred via subsequent spiral fourth and fifth cleavages to the later developmental stage, dictating the nodal-Pitx expression pathway. The cytoskeletal dynamics of manipulated and non-manipulated embryos of sinistral P acuta and dextral dominant L. stagnalis are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although fluorescent, column-like supramolecular network structures were previously obtained by using 2-naphthalenecarboxylic acid and benzylamine or fluorobenzylamine, the use of chlorobenzylamine or bromobenzylamine results in column-like or 2D-layered network supramolecular structures, indicating that crystal structures can be controlled by altering the type and position of the substituent on the benzylamine component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using p-benzoquinone and its derivatives as electron acceptors, charge-transfer (CT) complexes with a large bisphenol A derivative, i.e., α,α'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4-diisopropylbenzene, were successfully formed. The complexation behavior and color of the CT complexes varied with the crystallization method and p-benzoquinone derivative. This CT system may be applicable for sensitive and visible recovery and indication of large bisphenol A derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solid-state fluorescence host complex was prepared by assembly of a two-dimensional (2D) layered hydrogen- and ionic-bonded network structure composed of 2-naphthylethylamine and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid. In this complex, the MeOH guest molecules are one-dimensionally trapped in channel-like cavities formed by the characteristic 2D layered network structures. This supramolecular host complex including MeOH shows fluorescence in the solid state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using p-benzoquinone as an electron acceptor, charge-transfer (CT) complexes with bisphenol A and its derivatives were successfully prepared by crystallization from a solution or solid-grinding crystallization. The colors of the obtained CT complexes varied with the type of bisphenol A derivative. This CT system may be used as a sensitive and visible indicator for bisphenol A derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solid-state chiral optical properties of a 1-pyrenesulfonic acid/amine supramolecular organic fluorophore could be controlled by changing the type of the aromatic ring and not the chirality of the chiral amine component molecule in the solid state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using an axially chiral 6,6′-disubstituted-1,1′-bis-2-naphthol as the electron donor, we successfully formed chiral charge-transfer (CT) complexes with 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (TCNB) and examined their crystal structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on heating or annealing process in the mechanochemical preparation of coordination compounds in the solid state. Heating of metal complexes often promotes the liberation of weakly coordinated ligands and results in the complex with its coordination geometry unsaturated. Such “activated” complexes can be used as the building blocks of coordination polymers in the solid state. As one example, our recent work on [M(CNacac)2]∞(CNacac = 3-cyano-pentane-2,4-dionato, M = MnII, FeII, CoII, NiII, CuIIand ZnII) is presented. Further, co-grinding and annealing treatments of an enantiomeric pair of chiral crystals of [M(phen)3](PF6)2(M = RuIIand OsII, phen = 1,10-phenanthoroline) afford diffusion and rearrangement of transition metal complex ions to form co-crystal phases of racemic or quasi-racemic compounds by way of recognizing chirality. Our latest result of co-crystal formation viachirality transfer between optically stable and labile metal complexes is also briefly introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-grinding of crystals of diols (electron donor) and benzoquinone (BQ, electron acceptor), and in some cases with crystals of a third aromatic compound, produces charge transfer (CT) complex crystals in the solid state without going through an obvious amorphous state, followed by a change in colour and in powder X-ray diffraction patterns. A milling power above a threshold is required for the new CT complex crystal formation, however, in some cases simple mixing of pulverized crystals is good enough to initiate the transformation. On exposing the CT complex crystals to air, without any mechanochemical force, they revert to the starting diol crystals by losing sublimable BQ molecules, rearranging hydrogen bonds and establishing a three-dimensional periodicity. Remarkably, solid-state and conventional solution crystallization give different results, i.e., formation or non-formation of CT complex crystals, or formation of different crystals with different colours. The phenomenon is surprisingly frequent and all three two-component CT systems and six out of the nine three-component systems investigated, exhibit different crystallization behaviour. A quartet structure where two BQ molecules are sandwiched by two naphthols was formed in the crystal obtained from solid-state crystallization. A new triplet CT complex structure in which a BQ is sandwiched by a naphthol and a biphenyl is also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A guest-dependent charge-transfer (CT) host system was found that was composed of racemic ( rac)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol as an electron donor and 2-chloro-5-methyl-benzoquinone as an electron acceptor; in this complex, aromatic guests (benzene/toluene), electron-acceptor guests (tetrafluoro-1,4-benzoquinone (TF-BQ)), or alcohol guests (ethanol) can variously be included by changing the packing of electron-donor and -acceptor molecules. When ethanol was used as a guest, a chiral CT complex including ethanol was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A supramolecular host complex with multiple chiral points, which can include an alkyl alcohol, was successfully formed by combining (1R,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethanol and (S)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl hydrogen phosphate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex with a chiral channel-like cavity which can incorporate various n-alkyl alcohols and reversibly discharge and adsorb them, was successfully formed by combining chiral 1,2-diphenylethylenediamine ((1S,2S)-1) and biphenylacetic acid (2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A genetic algorithm (GA)-based strategy to dissect the determinants of peptide folding into α-helix was developed. The structural information of helical peptides was obtained with respect to patterns of sequence variability. In many previously reported studies the intrinsic α-helical propensities of amino acids although sequence-dependent are apparently independent of the amino acid position. In this research, monomeric helical peptides selected from possible sequences produced by a GA-chemical synthesis were analyzed to identify possible influential structural features. These hexadeca-peptides were obtained after four successive generations. A total of 128 synthetic peptides were evaluated via circular dichroism (CD) measurements in aqueous solution, while the mean ellipticity at 222 nm confirmed the monomeric state of the peptides. The results presented here show that our GA-based strategy may be useful in the design of proteins with increased α-helix content. Proteins 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]