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• Japanese manufacturers produce seasonal influenza vaccines of uniform formulation. • The Ministry of Health designates a single strain for each vaccine component. • The A(H3) strain selected in 2017 showed substantially low vaccine productivity. • Japan's system for strain selection has not always been beneficial for the public. • The Health Ministry reformed the scheme of vaccine strain selection in 2018. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) designates one specific virus strain for each component of the quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine, and four domestic manufacturers produce egg-based influenza vaccines with the same formulation (inactivated, split-virus) using uniform vaccine strains. Thus, discussions of the development of effective seasonal influenza vaccines so far has focused solely on the antigenic match between the vaccine strains and epidemic viruses. However, in 2017, the Japanese selection system of vaccine viruses demonstrated that even a candidate vaccine virus that is antigenically similar to the predicted circulating viruses is not necessarily suitable for vaccine production, given lower productivity of the vaccine. Taking this experience into account, the MHLW reformed the scheme of vaccine strain selection in 2018, and instructed the Vaccine Epidemiology Research Group created by the MHLW to probe how the virus strains for the seasonal influenza vaccine should be selected in Japan. In this context, a symposium, entitled "Issues of the Present Seasonal Influenza Vaccines and Future Prospects", was held as part of the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Vaccinology in 2018, and subjects related to the influenza vaccine viruses were discussed among relevant administrators, manufacturers, and researchers. This report summarizes the presentations given at that symposium in order to convey the present scheme of vaccine virus selection, the evaluation of the resulting vaccines, and the efforts at new vaccine formulation in Japan. Notably, from March 2022, the MHLW has launched a discussion of the merits of the seasonal influenza vaccines produced by foreign manufacturers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughfall ( TF ) is a critical component of the hydrological and biogeochemical cycles and is greatly influenced by stand structures in forested watersheds. Previous studies have examined the relationships between TF and stand structures for different species and regions. However, there remains acknowledged difficulty in estimation of TF with changing stand structures due to forest management (e.g., thinning) for specific species and regions. This study conducted intensive thinning with 43–50% stem removal at seven experimental plots with various structures (e.g., stand density, canopy cover and basal area) across Japan that were covered by Japanese cypress ( Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) and cedar ( Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) plantations. TF was measured by a set of 20 tipping-bucket rain gauges placed in a lattice-like pattern within the plots before and after thinning. Results showed that during the study periods, thinning caused an increase in the mean TF rate from 63.2 ± 7.0% to 75.4 ± 6.0%. The TF rate was significantly negatively correlated with stand density, canopy cover, and basal area on a stand scale. Additionally, the slope ( a TF ) of event-based linear TF - P g (gross rainfall) equation was significantly higher in post-thinning (0.782 ± 0.077) than that in pre-thinning (0.663 ± 0.078), whereas it’s intercept ( b TF ) showed no significant difference (−0.707 ± 0.810 mm in pre-thinning and −0.441 ± 0.607 mm in post-thinning). The a TF significantly decreased with increasing stand density and canopy cover, whereas the b TF was not significantly correlated with any forest-structure variables. Further, the TF rate and a TF were estimated, respectively, by their related stand-structural variables in multiple regression models with high determination coefficients and moderate relative errors. The b TF was assumed to be a constant and its mean value obtained from all the experimental plots in each (pre- and post-thinning) period. Thus, the models of stand-scale TF rate and event-based TF amount were developed with input of commonly forest inventories. These models were validated by using the dataset of this study and earlier publications for Japanese cedar and cypress plantations, and showed good fit between the estimated and measured values. These models are practical tools that can be readily used for assessing the changes in TF with changing stand structures at both stand and event-based scales, and have also potential implications in evaluating the spatial TF patterns at catchment scale and exploiting similar models in other species and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communication between physician and patient is critical in all fields of medicine, and various types of communication exist in healthcare settings. Cooperation among healthcare professionals is thought to be essential in providing high-quality services. Dental hygienists are key team members in the provision of dental care, and are known to play an important role in the health of their patients. This study aimed to determine the effect of communication between dentists and hygienists on patient satisfaction. Study subjects were dentists, patients, and dental hygienists, and we examined how dentist–dental hygienist communication affected patient outcome indices. A significant difference was observed only for satisfaction in terms of meeting expectations (p = 0.035). Results for patient satisfaction indicated significant differences in explanatory behavior in dentist–dental hygienist evaluations (p = 0.001). The results showed improved health and reduced fear, indicating significant differences for the dentist–dental hygienist evaluations in explanation behavior (p = 0.016). Our evaluation of the effects of dentist–dental hygienist communication on patient outcomes indicated a significant correlation, suggesting that inter-professional communication in the field of dentistry affects patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of bone, and patients often develop pulmonary metastases. In a previous study, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α treatment of human osteosarcoma cells increases their metastatic ability in an animal model. TNF-α can act as a tumor necrosis factor and also as a tumor-promoting factor. In the present study, the effect of a TNF-α inhibitor on osteosarcoma aggressiveness and pulmonary metastases was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The effect of infliximab, a TNF-α inhibitor, on a metastatic osteosarcoma 143B cell growth and motility was investigated in vitro. An orthotopic xenograft model of 143B cell growth and spontaneous metastasis in SCID mice was used to assess the in vivo effect of infliximab. Results: Infliximab greatly reduced cell motility and pulmonary metastases in 143B cells. The mechanism of pulmonary metastasis inhibition involved decreased expression of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), Rho (small GTPase protein), and its effector. Conclusions: These results suggest a novel role for TNF-α inhibition in the reduction or prevention of pulmonary metastases of osteosarcoma in this animal model. TNF-α inhibition may become a preventive therapeutic option for the pulmonary metastases of osteosarcoma. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Soil, vegetation and other ecological compartments are expected to be highly contaminated by the deposited radionuclides after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the resulting tsunami on 11 March 2011. However, there is no field measurement data on the depth distributions of radiocaesium and 131I concentrations in soil profile. In this study, the depth distribution of the deposited radionuclides in the cultivated soil profile was investigated in one of the most contaminated area after FDNPP accident. The result of this study demonstrated that greater than 86% of total radiocaesium and 79% of total 131I were absorbed in the upper 2.0 cm in the soil profile. The relaxation mass depth (h 0) derived from the depth distribution of radiocaesium and 131I in the soil profile at the study site were 9.1 kg m−2 and 10.4 kg m−2, respectively. The h 0 of 137Cs in the studied soil profile was greater than those for the cultivated soils nearby the Chernobyl NPP. The positive relationship was found between clay content of topsoil and the h 0 of 137Cs. However, further analysis is required to clarify the effect of clay content on the initial penetration depth of deposited 137Cs in soil profile. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background In Japan, pre-operative5-FU and cisplatin (CDDP) (FP) combination therapy has been the standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for advanced resectable esophageal cancer (EC), whereas the efficacy of docetaxel (DTX)-containing triplet regimen, FP plus DTX has been reported (Yamasaki M, et al, Ann Oncol 2017). However, for frail patients, such as patients with old age, chronic renal failure, poor performance status, severe commodities or malnutrition, high dose CDDP is not generally recommended in terms of toxicity. We have been developing non-CDDP-containing triplet regimen, 5-FU, DTX, and nedaplatin (NED) (UDON) on a phase I/II trial basis. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of NAC with UDON combination for advanced EC. Methods Eleven patients with advanced resectable EC who were unsuitable for the administration of high dose CDDP were enrolled in this study. Patients received two cycles of NAC with UDON (5-FU, 640 or 800 mg/m2, day1–5, DTX, 28 or 35 mg/m2, day1 and 15 and NED, 72 or 90 mg/m2, day1, q28) followed by esophagectomy. Primary endpoint was response rate and secondary endpoint was adverse event (AE). Results The median age was 73 years (range: 58–80) with eight patients being aged 70 or older. ECOG PS was 1/2: 7/4. The main location of the tumor was Ce/Ut/Mt/Lt/Ae: 1/1/7/1/1 and cStage was IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB/IIIC/IV: 2/2/4/0/2/1. The RR (CR + PR) was 82% (CR/PR/SD/PD: 1/8/2/0). The pathological response was grade 0/1a/1b/2/3: 2/3/3/2/1. Major grade 3 or 4 adverse events included neutropenia (27%), febrile neutropenia (27%), diarrhea (18%), enteritis (9%) and hyponatremia (27%). The postoperative morbidity included recurrent nerve palsy (36%), aspiration (27%), pneumonia (18%), anastomotic leakage (9%) and delirium (36%). There was no treatment-related death and no reoperation. Conclusion NAC with UDON for advanced resectable EC unsuitable for the administration of high dose CDDP might be feasible and effective. We are planning a phase II clinical study based on the present results. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascertaining the initial amount of accidently released radiocesium is fundamental for determining the extent of radioactive contamination following nuclear accidents, and is of key importance to environmental transfer models. A series of the airborne monitoring surveys of radioactivity have conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and provide basic information on radioactive contamination following the accident. However, there are no clear guidelines regarding the selection of airborne monitoring survey results for estimating the initial fallout input in studies of the environmental transfer of radiocesium. This study reconstructed a fallout map of Fukushima accident-derived radiocesium based on a comparison of the radiocesium deposition densities (D l) derived from the third and fifth airborne monitoring surveys. The D l derived from the fifth airborne monitoring survey were adjusted for variation in the measured radioactivity associated with the influence of radioactive decay, natural weathering processes, variation in the calibration procedure, and other, undefined mechanisms. The calibrated deposition density of the fifth airborne monitoring survey for each land use type (A ′ 5th* l) were used to establish the initial fallout map in the East Japan area. Furthermore, the airborne monitoring surveys which were independently conducted in each prefecture area were used to complement the lack of data in the South Kanto region and the mountainous area in the North Kanto region due to snow cover during the measurement period of the fifth airborne monitoring survey. The reconstructed initial fallout map of the Fukushima accident derived 137Cs was opened to the public via the database of the Center for Research in Isotopes of Environmental Dynamics, University of Tsukuba, Japan (www.ied.tsukuba.ac.jp/∼fukushimafallout/). Finally, the total atmospheric deposition of Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident-derived radiocesium onto each prefecture and land uses was estimated based on the reconstructed map in this study. • Initial 137Cs fallout map was established based on airborne monitoring surveys. • Reduction of the measured inventories between the third and fifth airborne surveys varied between different landuses. • Forest area accumulated 72% of total 137Cs deposition on land. • Total 137Cs deposition on land area of Japan was calculated as 2.5 PBq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) develop in smoking males in Japan, but the genomic etiology and immunological characteristics of rare non-smoking female ECSS remain unclear. To elucidate the genomic and immunological features of ESCC in non-smoking females, we analyzed whole-genome or transcriptome sequencing data from 94 ESCCs, including 20 rare non-smoking female cases. In addition, 31,611 immune cells were extracted from four ESCC tissues and subject to single-cell RNA-seq. We compared their immuno-genomic and microbiome profiles between non-smoking female and smoking ESCCs. Non-smoking females showed much better prognosis. Whole-genome sequencing analysis showed no significant differences in driver genes or copy number alterations depending on smoking status. The mutational signatures specifically observed in non-smoking females ESCC could be attributed to aging. Immune profiling from RNA-seq revealed that ESCC in non-smoking females had high tumor microenvironment signatures and a high abundance of eosinophils with a favorable prognosis. Single-cell RNA-sequencing of intratumor immune cells revealed gender differences of eosinophils and their activation in female cases. ESCCs in non-smoking females have age-related mutational signatures and gender-specific tumor immune environment with eosinophils, which is likely to contribute to their favorable prognosis. • Risk factors for ESCC are often present in smoking males, but rare ESCCs in non-smoking females are recently present. • Immune-genomic analysis was performed on ESCC in non-smoking females, which show favorable prognosis. • Some mutational signatures specific to ESCCs in non-smoking females are likely to be age-related. • Single-cell analysis demonstrated that eosinophils and their activation in non-smoking female ESCCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary We examined the effect of strip thinning on rainfall interception ( E i ) in a 32-year-old Japanese cypress plantation in central Japan. Strip thinning was conducted in the catchment in October 2011; that removed 50% of the stems. The gross precipitation ( P g ), throughfall ( TF ) and stemflow ( SF ) were monitored in a 12-m × 13-m plot before and after thinning. E i was calculated as the difference between P g and the sum of TF and SF . The interception processes were illustrated using the revised Gash model with quantifying interception parameters. The results showed that the Gash model successfully predicted E i on a rainy-season basis in both pre- and post-thinning periods. Thinning altered the interception components whereas the largest part during and after rainfall accounted for similar proportion in both periods. Additionally, after thinning, the annual TF rate was increased from 61.4% to 73.0%, whereas the annual SF rate was decreased from 9.8% to 6.1%, and the annual E i rate was decreased from 28.7% to 20.8%. The summarized findings of previous studies indicate that the degree of decline in the E i caused by thinning is related to P g and the thinning ratio. These results provide useful information for understanding the changes in interception processes induced by thinning, and for acquiring a more accurate forecast of the effects of forest management practices on water resources in the watershed. The response in rainfall partitioning to strip thinning can also help us to acquire an integrated understanding of the changes in canopy water balance under different forest practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A substantial quantity of radiocesium was deposited on the Fukushima prefecture, Japan in 2011 because of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. On farmland, contaminated surface soil was removed to reduce the radiation dose rate because radiocesium is strongly attached to fine soil particles. Instead of the removed soil, decomposed granite, which has larger soil particles and less organic materials, was added. Such large-scale land use change can affect the sediment transport system. Soil erosion plot is generally applied to quantify the soil erosion, but this method cannot reveal how the sediment is detached, transported and deposited. In order to understand soil particle movement and soil redistribution, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle – Structure from Motion (UAV-SfM) method, which enables to obtain 3D data of the soil surface and detect soil surface changes, can be used. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag can also be applied to trace soil particle movement (Parsons et al., 2014). It can show how the sediment transport system is different in the plot. However, it takes so much time to locate the RFID tag with a total station. This issue would be solved by means of high-resolution orthomosaic image derived with UAV-SfM method.This research has two objectives: (1) assessing the accuracy of UAV-SfM measurement and the survey of the RFID tag location with the orthomosaic image. (2) applying UAV-SfM method and soil particle tracing with the RFID tag to study the sediment transport processes on decontaminated slope farmland. Study sites were located in Kawamata town (decontaminated) and Date city (not decontaminated), Fukushima prefecture, Japan. USLE plots (22.13 m × 5 m) were installed on each slope farmland. These plots were kept with no vegetation and no cultivation. Water and sediment discharge were measured at the outlet of each plot. The accuracy of 3D data derived from the UAV-SfM method was assessed by comparing the data with those derived from 3D laser scanning. Locations of RFID tags were determined by using Orthoimage derived from UAV-SfM method and were compared with those measured with a total station. We found that the accuracy of UAV-SfM can be minimized as 3.3 mm (S.D.). RFID tags also can be located with an accuracy of 28 mm (RMSE). The results of UAV-SfM surveys showed no rill erosion in the decontaminated plot (DP) and the development of micro-terraces, and the result of RFID tracing showed a short transport distance in inter-rill zones at DP. After the decontamination works, the runoff and sediment yield decreased in DP. Our results suggest that the combination of these methods can provide new insights to understand sediment transport processes, and the decontamination works affected the water and sediment discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolved radiocesium (mainly 134 Cs and 137 Cs) is thought to be leached mainly from suspended sediment in downstream rivers, while organic matter, such as leaf litter, contributes to catchments in forested headwater streams. It is also known that dissolved 137 Cs in headwater streams exhibit seasonal variation with water temperature. Some mechanisms have been proposed as the causes: ionic competition of potassium ion (K + ) and ammonium ion (NH 4 + ), leaching associated with the decomposition of organic matter, and thermodynamic adsorption-desorption processes. We investigated the relationship between K + and the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and seasonal changes in dissolved 137 Cs concentration using a large number of samples from a headwater's small catchments. We examined temporal trends in 137 Cs concentrations in coarse organic matter, suspended sediments, and dissolved forms at four sites (one decontaminated site and three undecontaminated sites) in the Yamakiya area since 2011. The distribution coefficients (Kdcss and Kdorg) of dissolved 137 Cs concentrations relative to suspended sediment and coarse organic matter 137 Cs concentrations were calculated, and differences in temporal changes due to decontamination were investigated. In addition, we examined the relationship between water temperature and DOC, K + , NH 4 + and 137 Cs concentrations in the headwater catchments. The suspended sediment 137 Cs concentrations at the decontaminated headwater site (IBO) decreased significantly after decontamination and remained low thereafter. In contrast, dissolved 137 Cs concentrations decreased temporarily during the decontamination period, but returned to pre-decontamination levels. Almost no NH 4 + has been detected in headwater streams in our catchments. In the SET and ISH watersheds, where the distance from the groundwater spring is short, a correlation was found between DOC concentration and dissolved 137 Cs concentration. In contrast, in the IBO watershed, where the distance from the groundwater spring is long, temperature dependence and a good correlation between K + and 137 Cs were observed. Therefore, microbial decomposition of organic matter may have a significant effect on the seasonal variation of dissolved 137 Cs in forested headwater streams at short distances from the spring, but the influence of competing ions is expected to increase gradually as the water flows downstream., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Yuichi Onda reports financial support and travel were provided by University of Tsukuba. Yuichi Onda reports a relationship with University of Tsukuba that includes: employment., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Radionuclides released and deposited because of the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident caused an increase in air dose rates in Fukushima Prefecture forests. Although an increase in air dose rates during rainfall was previously reported, the air dose rates in the Fukushima forests decreased during rainfall. This study aimed to develop a method to estimate rainfall-related changes in air dose rates, even in the absence of soil moisture data, in Namie-Town and Kawauchi-Village, Futaba-gun, Fukushima Prefecture. Moreover, we examined the relationship between preceding rainfall (Rw) and soil moisture content. The air dose rate was estimated by calculating the Rw in Namie-Town from May to July 2020. We found that the air dose rates decreased with increasing soil moisture content. The soil moisture content was estimated from Rw by combining short-term and long-term effective rainfall using half-live values of 2 h and 7 d and considering the hysteresis of water absorption and drainage processes. Furthermore, the soil moisture content and air dose rate estimations showed a good agreement with coefficient of determination (R 2 ) scores >0.70 and >0.65, respectively. The same method was tested to estimate the air dose rates in Kawauchi-Village from May to July 2019. At the Kawauchi site, variation in estimated value is relatively large due to the presence of water repellency in dry conditions, and the amount of 137 Cs inventory was low, so estimating air dose from rainfall remained a challenge. In conclusion, rainfall data were successfully used to estimate soil moisture and air dose rates in areas with high 137 Cs inventories. This leads to the possibility of removing the influence of rainfall on measured air dose rate data and could contribute to the improvement of methods currently used to estimate the external air dose rates for humans, animals, and terrestrial forest plants., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Yuichi Onda reports financial support was provided by University of Tsukuba., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This study retrospectively evaluated the 12-month outcomes of the Zenith Alpha Abdominal Endovascular graft (Zenith Alpha AAA, Cook, Inc, Bloomington, Indiana), which was launched partially in Japan in March 2019, starting with 9 selected sites., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of all endovascular aneurysm repairs (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms using the Zenith Alpha AAA. Late complications were defined as any aneurysm-related events occurring >30 days after EVAR, including an aneurysm sac enlargement of >5 mm and any reinterventions performed. Endoleaks without sac enlargement or reinterventions were excluded from late complications., Results: During the study period, 79 EVARs using the Zenith Alpha AAA were performed. The mean age was 76.6±6.9 years old, 91.1% of patients were male, and the mean aneurysm diameter was 51.1±7.5 mm. Instructions for use violation was observed in 27 patients (34.2%), most frequently being a severely angulated proximal neck (>60°). There were 4 intraoperative complications, including 2 unintentional partial renal artery coverages caused by the premature anchoring of the exposed suprarenal stent barb to the aortic wall, which was a result of the design change of the top cap deletion. Since it was a partial coverage without flow impairment and since renal stenting was unsuccessful, it was left untreated and had no subsequent renal function impairment. During the mean follow-up of 444±123 days, 74 patients completed 12 months of follow-up. Freedom from late complications at 12 months was 90.8%, which included 2 limb occlusions (2.5%). Of 71 patients with a 12-month computed tomography scan, there was only 1 type 1a endoleak (1.3%), 1 sac enlargement of >5 mm (1.3%), and an aneurysm sac shrinkage of >5 mm was observed in 42.2% of patients. There was no type 3 endoleak during the follow-up., Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the new generation of low-profile Zenith Alpha AAA has satisfactory early clinical outcomes, comparable to those obtained with the conventional Zenith endovascular graft. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine whether these favorable outcomes persist.

The March 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in Japan released 520 PBq of radionuclides compared to a total release of 5300 PBq from the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident. Both nuclear accidents resulted in deposition of radiocesium throughout the northern hemisphere, and a plethora of studies have been performed regarding radiocesium ( 137 Cs) behavior. However, few studies have assessed the impact of precipitation on 137 Cs deposition in forests. Wide-scale environmental measurements from 2011 and 2016 were used to determine the differences in 137 Cs deposition because of precipitation following the Fukushima accident. In areas where wet deposition processes were dominant, dense forests generally had lower ambient dose rates and levels of contamination on forest floors than other stands with fewer stems per hectare in 2011. Similar tendencies were not observed in areas that were primarily subject to dry deposition nor were any trends observed in 2016. 137 Cs was retained in dense forest canopies for an extended period regardless of the deposition mode. Additionally, it was found that the initial retention of radionuclides by forest canopies is in general higher for areas with predominantly dry deposition. Incorporation of radiocesium into wood tissues was the same for both wet and dry deposition.

This study investigated the spatial distribution of radiocesium deposited by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in a densely planted Japanese cedar stand. Systematic grid sampling was conducted to determine 137 Cs inventories in the layers of deposited organic material and mineral soil at two different spatial scales (hillslope [60 m 2 ] and small [1 m 2 ]). The results showed that 137 Cs inventories along the hillslope were heterogeneously distributed, with coefficients of variation for the deposited organic material and mineral soil layers of 46.4% and 48.9%, respectively. The 137 Cs inventory in each layer tended to show a lognormal distribution. The correlation between the 137 Cs inventories in deposited organic material and mineral soil in the same sampling grid was weak. The controlling mechanisms of the 137 Cs inventories in the litter and mineral soil layers differed due to differences in the underlying key processes, such as canopy-forest floor transfer due to hydrological and biological processes. No significant correlation was found between the distance from the nearest tree trunk and the 137 Cs inventory in the deposited organic layer at each sampling point. In contrast, the 137 Cs inventory in the soil tended to increase as the distance from the nearest tree trunk increased at both the hillslope and small scales. It was found that the initial spatial patterns of 137 Cs in the soil layer due to atmospheric deposition were preserved in the cedar stand. Finally, we tested the effects of soil sampling density on the reliability of mean soil 137 Cs inventory estimations in the cedar stand. The results indicated that a soil sampling area greater than 0.06 m 2  at the hillslope scale and 0.008 m 2  at the small scale enabled the mean 137 Cs inventory to be estimated with an uncertainty of less than 20% in the cedar stand., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aiming to fill a need for data regarding radiocesium transport via both branchflow and stemflow through forests impacted by radioactive fallout, this study examined the vertical variation of radiocesium flux from branchflow and stemflow through the canopies of young Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica (L. f.) D. Don) and Japanese oak (Quercus serrata Murray) trees in the aftermath of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. In forested areas approximately 40 km northwest of the location of the Fukushima Dai-ichi accident, the 137 Cs concentration varied significantly among sampling periods and between the two forests, with the oak stand exhibiting higher 137 Cs concentrations and depositional fluxes than the cedar stand. Expressed per unit trunk basal area, the depositional flux of 137 Cs generated from the cedar and oak stands was 375 and 2810 Bq m -2  year -1 , respectively. Of this total, 71% and 48% originated from the cedar and oak canopy, respectively, while the remainder originated from the trunk. Accordingly, the origin of radiocesium was more balanced for the oak stand with almost half of the flux coming from the canopy (48%) and the other half from the trunk (52%). Only about a quarter (29%) of the radiocesium flux originated from the trunk in Japanese cedar. Results from this work provide needed data that can enable a more thorough conceptualization of radiocesium cycling in forests. Coupling these empirical results with a physically-based model would likely lead to better forest management and proactive strategies for rehabilitating radioactively-contaminated forests and reducing the exposure risk of radiation dose rate for those that utilize forest products., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to determine the most appropriate timing for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of type B aortic dissection (TBAD) in terms of remodeling of the aorta., Methods: A total of 41 patients who had undergone TEVAR for the treatment of aortic dissection were included in the present study. The patients were divided into two groups: those who had undergone TEVAR in the acute or subacute phase (group A) and those who had undergone TEVAR in the chronic phase (group B). The indications for TEVAR as the treatment of TBAD were the presence of aortic rupture or malperfusion of the aortic branches, a maximum aortic diameter of ≥40 mm on the initial diagnostic computed tomography scan, and/or expansion of the aorta of ≥5 mm within 3 months for acute and subacute TBAD. The indication was a maximum aortic diameter of ≥50 mm or expansion of the aorta of ≥5 mm within 1 year for chronic TBAD. The diameters of the aorta, true lumen, and false lumen were measured at the level of the most dilated part of the descending aorta (level M) and at the diaphragm (level D) on the computed tomography scan obtained before TEVAR and at the 2-year follow-up examination., Results: The median interval between TEVAR and the onset of TBAD was 0.2 month (interquartile range, 0.03-0.7 month) in group A (n = 21) and 32 months (interquartile range, 4.7-35.2 months) in group B (n = 20). Except for the aortic diameter at level D in group B, favorable remodeling was obtained at both levels in both groups. The diameter change ratio of the aorta at level D was significantly greater in group A than in group B (P = .02). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the interval for a significant decrease in the aortic diameter at level D yielded 4.2 months as the optimal threshold for performing TEVAR (area under the curve, 0.859; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-1.0)., Conclusions: TEVAR for TBAD will result in favorable outcomes, irrespective of the timing of the procedure. However, it might be more effective to perform TEVAR within 4.2 months of the onset of TBAD, provided that the TEVAR procedure can be performed safely., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: To report our findings on quality of life (QoL) in a randomized phase II study to determine the optimal dose of 3-week cycle nab-paclitaxel (q3w nab-PTX) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC)., Methods: Patients with HER2-negative MBC were randomly assigned to three different doses of q3w nab-PTX (SD 260 mg/m 2 vs. MD: 220 mg/m 2 vs. LD 180 mg/m 2 ). QoL was assessed at baseline and during the second, fourth and sixth courses of treatment using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Taxane (FACT-Taxane), Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS) and EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D). Comparisons were performed with mixed-model repeated measures (MMRM)., Results: A total of 141 patients were enrolled in the parent study, and 136 (96%) (44, 45 and 47 in the SD, MD, and LD groups) were included in the analysis. MMRM analysis showed that the difference from the baseline FACT-Taxane trial outcome index at MD and LD were significantly higher than that at SD (MD vs. SD P < 0.001, LD vs. SD P < 0.001). Differences from baseline for FACT-Taxane total, physical and emotional well-being, and taxane subscale scores at MD and LD were also higher than at SD. The difference from baseline for the CFS score at LD was lower than at SD (P = 0.013) and those for EQ-5D utility scores at MD and LD were higher than at SD (MD vs. SD P = 0.011, LD vs. SD P < 0.001)., Conclusion: QoL of patients treated with 220 or 180 mg/m 2 of q3w nab-PTX was significantly better than that of patients treated with 260 mg/m 2 ., Trial Registration: The protocol was registered at the website of the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN), Japan (protocol ID: UMIN000015516), on 01/11/2014. Details are available at the following address: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr&#95;e/ctr&#95;view.cgi?recptno=R000017916., (© 2021. The Japanese Breast Cancer Society.)

Background: The Japanese healthcare system currently faces numerous challenges, including a super-aging society and an excessive burden on medical workers; therefore, the need for innovative solutions from healthcare ventures to tackle these issues has increased. Meanwhile, as physicians play important roles in healthcare ventures, the need for Japanese physician entrepreneurs is more important than ever. Given the lack of research examining barriers to physicians starting ventures and what skills, knowledge, and surrounding environments act as facilitators, this study aimed to identify the facilitators and barriers faced by physicians to start ventures., Methods: Between September and November 2019 and in May 2021, qualitative interviews were conducted with 33 participants, which included eight physician entrepreneurs; two administrative officers at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; three faculty members at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (in-depth interviews); and 20 medical students (focus group discussions). The interviews were deductively coded based on the social ecological model. The inductive approach was applied to coding any knowledge necessary to start a business. We conducted member checking with three physician entrepreneurs and seven medical students to improve our results' credibility., Results: The factors influencing a physician's decision to launch a new business include their willingness to contribute to society, the unique environment in which an individual is placed while in medical school and afterward, negative aspects of the lack of diversity in physicians' careers, the financial stability provided by a medical license, and self-efficacy., Conclusions: Our study revealed facilitators and barriers to physicians' entrepreneurial ventures. Knowledge about these factors might be useful in supporting physicians to launch or become involved in healthcare ventures., Competing Interests: The authors have read the journal’s policy and have the following competing interest: Dr. Hiroaki Kato is the co-founder of Aillis, Inc, which is a startup that aims to develop AI medical devices. This does not alter our adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies.

The deposited 137 Cs is one of the long-lived radionuclides, that was released following the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, has been hydrologically transported as particulates in the terrestrial environment of the Fukushima region. The impact of freeze-thaw processes and subsequent runoff affecting the 137 Cs flux and concentration in sediment discharge were revealed in bare land erosion plot following the FDNPP accident by detailed monitoring and laser scanner measurement on the soil surface. We found that surface topographic changes due to the frost-heaving during the winter-spring period, and rill formation during the summer. We also found the evident seasonal changes in 137 Cs concentration; high during the early spring and gradually decreased thereafter, then surface runoff from the plot frequently occurred during spring and autumn when rainfall was high and reached a maximum in summer. From these results, the higher 137 Cs concentration in spring was caused by a mixture of unstable surface sediment following freeze-thaw processes and then transported in the early spring, but erosion amount is not significant because of the less rainfall event. The sediment with a lower 137 Cs concentration, which was supplied from the rill erosion and its expansion, was wash-offed during the summer, contributing most of the flux from erosion in bare land in Fukushima region. In case, heavy rainfall occurs in the early spring, caution is required because high concentrations of cesium may flow down into the river., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the temporal change in vertical distributions of radiocesium inventories in Japanese forest soils during the early phase (from 2011 to 2017) following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, using three simple parameters. We calculated the fraction in the organic layer (F l/t ), the migration center (X c ) and the relaxation depth (α) using 99 soil inventory data sets. F l/t decreased significantly from 2011 to 2017 (logistic analysis, p < 0.001). In addition, F l/t in the FDNPP zone rapidly decreased compared to that in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) zone from the first year to the second year. Different migration rates from organic to mineral soil layers between previous studies in the ChNPP and this study have several possible causes such as organic litter features, climate and physico-chemical forms of initial deposition. In mineral soil layers in the FDNPP zone, only X c increased significantly with time according to generalized mixed model analysis (p < 0.01). However, X c and α in the ChNPP zone decreased from two to five years after the accident in 1986, which shows a high 137 Cs retention in the organic layer even in the fifth year after the accident. The vertical migration of 137 Cs in the mineral soil layer in the FDNPP zone appears to be due to low input of 137 Cs from organic to surface mineral soil layer after the second year. These results indicate that 137 Cs retention capacity of the organic layer can affect the apparent vertical migration of 137 Cs in the underlying mineral soil layer., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Aims/introduction: Low birthweight is reportedly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, this association has not been confirmed in the Japanese population, and whether high birthweight is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus is controversial. We aimed to investigate the association between birthweight and type 2 diabetes mellitus among a general Japanese population., Materials and Methods: Overall 1,135 middle- to old-aged Japanese men and women were enrolled in the Toon Health Study. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was used to diagnose type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a questionnaire survey about birthweight was administered. The association between birthweight and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in later life of the participants was examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Stratified analysis by current body mass index was also carried out., Results: The mean age was 56.5 ± 12.2 years. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was observed in 9.3% of the participants in this study. Compared with the reference group (2,500-3,999 g), the adjusted odds ratio of the low-birthweight group (<2,500 g) for type 2 diabetes mellitus was 2.46 (95% confidence interval 1.48-4.10). The association between the high-birthweight group (≥4000 g) and type 2 diabetes mellitus was not significant after including family history of diabetes in the multivariable model. The odds ratio of the low-birthweight group for type 2 diabetes mellitus was higher in the overweight/obese group than in the non-overweight group., Conclusions: Low birthweight was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Japanese population, especially in overweight/obese individuals., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Diabetes Investigation published by Asian Association for the Study of Diabetes (AASD) and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

The effects of a 50% forest thinning intensity on Fukushima-derived 137 Cs deposition by litterfall and its discharge by runoff in hillslope coniferous forest were monitored using four litterfall traps and a hillslope erosion plot. The observation was underway during the pre-and post-thinning periods. Results demonstrated that during the pre-thinning period a total 150 ± 13 g m -2 of litterfall deposited about 924 ± 69 Bq m -2 of 137 Cs. This accounts for 11% of the local 137 Cs fallout recorded for the study site in the aftermath of the accident. After thinning, both litterfall and 137 Cs increased by more than six- and two-fold, respectively. This is possibly owing to the slow individual tree recovery rate assisted by the change on the running space provided by canopy openings, which can accelerate even the normal gust wind to gain damaging power on the unshielded mechanically injured parts of the contaminated residual trees. In both cases, litterfall generally transferred about 37% (3 ± 0.2 kBq m -2 ) of the local 137 Cs fallout onto the forest floor over the observation period. The eroded litter-associated 137 Cs increased by about a factor of two after thinning, which only accounted for less than 1% of 137 Cs deposited by litterfall. This implies that the forest floor retains 137 Cs and remains contaminated regardless of the size of the eroded litter material. But this could become a potential secondary contamination source for the downstream resources such as water bodies and villages, especially at the time of flooding, which in turn calls a serious attention in designing decontamination schemes., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: In Japan, pre-operative 5-FU and cisplatin(CDDP)(FP)combination therapy has been the standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)for advanced resectable esophageal cancer(EC); furthermore, the efficacy of the docetaxel (DTX)-containing triplet regimen, FP plus DTX, has been reported. However, patients with impaired renal function should not receive high-dose CDDP. We have been developing a non-CDDP-containing triplet regimen, comprising 5-FU, DTX, and nedaplatin(NED)(UDON), on a phase Ⅰ/Ⅱtrial basis. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of NAC with UDON in advanced EC patients with impaired renal function., Methods: Five patients with advanced resectable EC with impaired renal function were enrolled in this study. Patients received NAC(5-FU, 640mg/m / 2, days 1-5; DTX, 28 mg/m2, days 1 and 15; and NED, 72mg/m2, day 1, q28, 2 courses); following this, they underwent esophagectomy. The primary endpoint was response rate, and the secondary endpoint was adverse event(AE)., Results: The median age was 79 years (range: 58-80 years). The ECOG performance status was 1/2 : 3/2. The main tumor locations were Ce/Ut/Mt : 1/1/3 and the cStages were ⅡA/ⅢA/ⅢC : 1/2/2. The RR(CR/PR/SD/PD : 0/4/1/0)was 80%. The pathological response was grade 1a/1b : 2/3. Major grade 3 or 4 AEs included neutropenia(40%), febrile neutropenia(20%), diarrhea(20%), and hyponatremia( 40%). There was no treatment-related death or reoperation., Conclusions: NAC with UDON might be feasible and effective in patients with advanced resectable EC with impaired renal function, who are ineligible for high-dose CDDP administration. We are planning a phaseⅡclinical study based on the present results.

The study investigated temporal changes in the 137 Cs concentrations in vegetal and hydrological samples collected from various forests in Yamakiya District, Kawamata Town of Fukushima prefecture over six years following the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident. Cesium-137 was detected in all forest environmental samples. However, the concentration in most samples decreased exponentially with time. The 137 Cs concentrations in throughfall samples exhibited a double-exponential decreasing trend with time. Temporal changes in the 137 Cs concentration in vegetal samples and stemflow were approximated by using a single-exponential equation. A comparison of the decline coefficient for the latter observation period (>2 y since the accident) revealed that the declining trend of 137 Cs concentrations varied between foliage and the outer barks of the Japanese cedar and Japanese konara oak trees. The 137 Cs concentration in cedar needles decreased exponentially while that in konara oak leaves was constant over the last six years. Conversely, the declining trend of 137 Cs concentration in the outer bark of konara oak exceeded that of cedar. The results suggested that self-decontamination processes and internal recycling of 137 Cs varied among tree species and different tree parts. The results indicated that the leaching of 137 Cs in the throughfall in Japanese cedar was dependent on the 137 Cs concentration in needles. However, a comparison of 137 Cs concentrations in vegetal and hydrological samples from each sampling year showed that the leaching rate decreased with time. Conversely, the 137 Cs concentrations in the stemflow were independent of the concentrations in the outer bark. The declining trend of 137 Cs concentrations in litterfall (λ: 0.31-0.33 y -1 ) was similar to that of the mean of new/old needles (λ: 0.26-0.33 y -1 ) for cedar stands. With respect to the hydrological components, the 137 Cs concentration in the stemflow (λ: 0.32-0.33 y -1 ) decreased at a slightly slower rate than that in the throughfall (λ: 0.36-0.54 y -1 ) for the cedar forest. The decline coefficients of 137 Cs concentration in the aforementioned types of hydrological components slightly exceeded that for the vegetal samples. The results suggest that monitoring of 137 Cs concentrations in hydrological components and vegetal samples can aid in further understanding the leaching mechanisms of 137 Cs from trees to rainwater., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Approximately 70% of the total land area affected by the fallout from the Fukushima accident is forested, and therefore monitoring of the ambient dose rate in forest environments is essential to ensure that the population and natural habitats of these areas are protected from radiological hazards. However, there are little available data on the ambient dose rate for forest environments. This study investigated temporal changes in the ambient dose rate in different forest environments of Fukushima Prefecture. We conducted repeated measurements of the ambient dose rate in 2014 and 2016 at the same measurement points as those used by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry of Japan (MAFF) in 2011. The measurements revealed that the decreasing trend in the ambient dose rate varied among the different forest types and time periods. The ambient dose rate in EGC decreased slower than that induced by the physical decay of radiocesium for the period of 2011-2014. However, such slow declining trend of ambient dose rate was likely followed by quick reduction during the following years (2014-2016 and 2011-2016). On the other hand, in MBL and DBF forests, the ambient dose rate decreased 10-20% faster than that induced solely by physical decay of radiocesium for the observation period 2011-2016., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Understanding solid 137 Cs wash-off in sediment sources is important for predicting radiological risks in zones contaminated by the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Yoshimura et al. (2015) studied solid 137 Cs wash-off using soil erosion plots representing different land uses in Fukushima. However, temporal trends of 137 Cs activity concentration in sediments remained unclear owing to the short duration of their observations. This study is a follow-up to that of Yoshimura et al. (2015) and provides additional observations that test the dependency of temporal variations in 137 Cs activity concentration in sediment and solid wash-off processes of 137 Cs on land use types. Eight soil erosion plots were observed, and data from 2011 to 2014 were analyzed. A normalized 137 Cs solid entrainment coefficient, defined as Sc (m 2 kg -1 ), was calculated by dividing 137 Cs activity concentration in sediment by initial 137 Cs deposition. A particle size-corrected Sc, defined as Sc correct (m 2 kg -1 ), was also calculated based on granulometry. Sediment quantity-weighted mean values of Sc and Sc correct, ranged from 0.0072 to 0.084 m 2  kg -1 and 0.0052-0.078 m 2  kg -1 , respectively. Annual wash-off rates of solid 137 Cs were 0.0029-12% year -1 . There was no significant decreasing trend in Sc or Sc correct on most of the plots due to its huge variability. However, on an uncultivated farmland after the removal of surface vegetation, marked surface erosion including formation of rill network was found, and Sc correct significantly decreased as the cumulative sediment discharge increased. Our follow-up observations suggest that temporal changes in 137 Cs activity concentration in sediment at the sediment source should be controlled by soil erosion processes and their intensity., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Owing to the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident a vast amount of radiocesium was released polluting the land. Afterwards, a variety of decontamination practices has been done, reducing the ambient dose rates. In this study we evaluated the effectiveness of eight forest decontamination practices by means of monitoring the radiocesium ( 137 Cs) concentration in soil and leaf samples, and the daily discharge rates in ten plots during 27 months (May 2013-July 2015). A forest plantation located 16 km southwest to the FDNPP and within the exclusion area was selected. Radiocesium concentrations were analysed using a germanium gamma ray detector. The differences in radiocesium activities between the different plots were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and four homogeneous groups were distinguished. Tree thinning and litter removal greatly reduced the radioactivity and the two plots devoted to these practices presented the highest discharge rates of 137 Cs (Th + LR; 350-380 Bq/m 2 day), followed by the two Th plots (163-174 Bq/m 2 day). The clearcutting with LR and the LR plots (104 and 92 Bq/m 2 day) also had higher rates than those rates in the control plots (51 Bq/m 2 day). We only observed low rates in the two plots with matting (19-25 Bq/m 2 day). The temporal variability was explained by (i) the different rainfall depths registered during the measurement intervals (accumulated precipitation from 14 to 361 mm); and (ii) the fluctuations of the total surface coverage. The decrease trend in radiocesium concentration was high in 2013, moderate in 2014 and low in 2015 owing to the vegetation recovery after the countermeasures, thus reducing the possibility of the second pollution of the neighbouring areas. The average proportions of contribution of 137 Cs discharge by soil and leaf fraction were 96.6% and 3.4%., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cesium-137 ( 137 Cs) migration in the litter layer consists of various processes, such as input via throughfall, output via litter decomposition, and input from deeper layers via soil organism activity. We conducted litter bag experiments over 2 years (December 2014-November 2016) to quantify the inputs and outputs of 137 Cs in the litter layer in a Japanese cedar plantation (Cryptomeria japonica) and a mixed broadleaf forest dominated by Quercus serrata located 40 km northwest of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. The experiments included four conditions, combining contaminated and non-contaminated litter and deeper layer material, and the inputs and outputs were estimated from the combination of 137 Cs increases and decreases in the litter layer under each condition. The 137 Cs dynamics differed between the two forests. In the C. japonica forest, some 137 Cs input via throughfall remained in the litter layer, and downward 137 Cs flux passed through the litter layer was 0.42 (/year).Upward flux of 137 Cs from the deeper layer was very restricted, < 0.017 (/year). In the broadleaf forest, migration of 137 Cs in throughfall into deeper layers was restricted, downward 137 Cs flux was less than 0.003 (/year).Upward input of 137 Cs from the deeper layer was prominent, 0.037 (/year). 137 Cs output via litter decomposition was observed in both forests. The flux in the C. japonica forest was slower than that in the broadleaf forest, 0.12 and 0.15 (/year), respectively., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The depth distribution of pre-Fukushima and Fukushima-derived (137)Cs in undisturbed coniferous forest soil was investigated at four sampling dates from nine months to 18 months after the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. The migration rate and short-term temporal variability among the sampling profiles were evaluated. Taking the time elapsed since the peak deposition of pre-Fukushima (137)Cs and the median depth of the peaks, its downward displacement rates ranged from 0.15 to 0.67 mm yr(-1) with a mean of 0.46 ± 0.25 mm yr(-1). On the other hand, in each examined profile considerable amount of the Fukushima-derived (137)Cs was found in the organic layer (51%-92%). At this moment, the effect of time-distance on the downward distribution of Fukushima-derived (137)Cs seems invisible as its large portion is still found in layers where organic matter is maximal. This indicates that organic matter seems the primary and preferential sorbent of radiocesium that could be associated with the physical blockage of the exchanging sites by organic-rich dusts that act as a buffer against downward propagation of radiocesium, implying radiocesium to be remained in the root zone for considerable time period. As a result, this soil section can be a potential source of radiation dose largely due to high radiocesium concentration coupled with its low density. Generally, such kind of information will be useful to establish a dynamic safety-focused decision support system to ease and assist management actions., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Importance: Dry eye disease has become an important health problem. A lack of concordance between self-reported symptoms and the outcome of dry eye examinations has raised questions about dry eye disease., Objective: To explore the association between subjective happiness and objective and subjective symptoms of dry eye disease., Design: The study adopted a cross-sectional design., Setting: All the employees of a company in Osaka, Japan., Participants: 672 Japanese office workers using Visual Display Terminals (age range: 26-64 years)., Methods: The dry eye measurement tools included the Schirmer test, conjunctivocorneal staining, the tear film break-up time, as well as the administration of a dry eye symptoms questionnaire. Happiness was measured by the Subjective Happiness Scale., Main Outcome Measures: Dry eye examination parameters, dry eye symptoms questionnaires, and the Subjective Happiness Scale score., Results: Of the 672 workers, 561 (83.5%) completed the questionnaires and examinations. The mean Subjective Happiness Scale score was 4.91 (SD = 1.01). This score was inversely correlated with the dry eye symptom score (r = -0.188, p < 0.001), but was not associated with objective findings which include conjunctivocorneal staining, low Schirmer test score, or low tear film break-up time. The level of subjective happiness was the lowest in the group without objective results, but reported subjective symptoms of dry eyes (p < 0.05)., Conclusions and Relevance: There is evidence of the relationship between subjective happiness and self-reported symptoms of dry eyes. Findings of this study revealed a new perspective on dry eye disease, including the potential for innovative treatments of a specific population with dry eye disease.

Spatial distributions and temporal changes of radioactive fallout released by the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident have been investigated by two campaigns with three measurement schedules. The inventories (activities per unit area) of the radionuclides deposited onto ground soil were measured using portable gamma-ray spectrometers at nearly 1000 locations (at most) per measurement campaign. Distribution maps of the inventories of (134)Cs, (137)Cs, and (110m)Ag as of March, September, and December 2012 were constructed. No apparent temporal change of the radionuclide inventories was observed from March to December 2012. Weathering effects (e.g., horizontal mobility) were not noticeable during this period. Spatial dependence in the ratios of (134)Cs/(137)Cs and (110m)Ag/(137)Cs were observed in the Tohoku and Kanto regions. The detailed maps of (134)Cs and (137)Cs as of September 2012 and December 2012 were constructed using the relationship between the air dose rate and the inventory., (Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident resulted in extensive radioactive contamination of the environment via deposited radionuclides such as radiocesium and (131)I. Evaluating the extent and level of environmental contamination is critical to protecting citizens in affected areas and to planning decontamination efforts. However, a standardized soil sampling protocol is needed in such emergencies to facilitate the collection of large, tractable samples for measuring gamma-emitting radionuclides. In this study, we developed an emergency soil sampling protocol based on preliminary sampling from the FDNPP accident-affected area. We also present the results of a preliminary experiment aimed to evaluate the influence of various procedures (e.g., mixing, number of samples) on measured radioactivity. Results show that sample mixing strongly affects measured radioactivity in soil samples. Furthermore, for homogenization, shaking the plastic sample container at least 150 times or disaggregating soil by hand-rolling in a disposable plastic bag is required. Finally, we determined that five soil samples within a 3 m × 3-m area are the minimum number required for reducing measurement uncertainty in the emergency soil sampling protocol proposed here., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) in Japanese visual display terminal (VDT) workers and identify simple methods for screening DED during occupational health examinations., Methods: This study involved 369 (331 men and 38 women; mean age, 44.4 [8.8] years) workers engaged in PC development with approximately 6 hours of VDT use daily. The participants completed questionnaires on dry eye and physical symptoms affecting QoL, and their ability to keep their eyes open for 10 seconds was tested for DED screening. They also underwent assessment of conjunctival and corneal vital staining with lissamine green and fluorescein, measurement of tear film breakup time, and Schirmer's test for DED diagnosis. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of the screening methods were assessed., Results: The DED group included 218 (definite, 14; probable, 204) participants. They had markedly high frequencies of 11 dry eye symptoms, especially ocular fatigue (OR, 17.1; 95% CI, 9.9 to 29.7) and dry sensation (OR, 8.2; 95% CI, 3.6 to 18.4), and were more often unable to keep their eyes open for 10 s. With either ocular fatigue or dry sensation as the cutoff criterion, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were 89.9, 66.9, and 79.7%, respectively., Conclusions: Approximately 60% of the VDT workers were diagnosed with DED on the basis of diverse eye symptoms affecting their ability to work. The dry eye symptom questionnaire and 10-s eye-opening test are simple, noninvasive, and inexpensive methods for screening DED during occupational health examinations.

This study deals with the description of the vertical distribution of radiocaesium ((137)Cs and (134)Cs) in a representative coniferous forest soil, investigated 10 months after the Fukushima radioactive fallout. During soil sampling, the forest floor components (understory plants, litter (Ol-) and fermented layers (Of)) were collected and treated separately. The results indicate that radiocesium is concentrated in the forest floor, and high radiocesium transfer factor observed in the undergrowth plants (3.3). This made the forest floor an active exchanging interphase for radiocesium. The raw organic layer (Ol + Of) holds 52% (5.3 kBq m(-2)) of the Fukushima-derived and 25% (0.7 kBq m(-2)) of the pre-Fukushima (137)Cs at the time of the soil sampling. Including the pre-Fukushima (137)Cs, 99% of the total soil inventory was in the upper 10 cm, in which the organic matter (OM) content was greater than 10%, suggesting the subsequent distribution most likely depends on the OM turnover. However, the small fraction of the Fukushima-derived (137)Cs at a depth of 16 cm is most likely due to the infiltration of radiocesium-circumscribed rainwater during the fallout before that selective adsorption prevails and reduces the migration of soluble (137)Cs. The values of the depth distribution parameters revealed that the distribution of the Fukushima-derived (137)Cs was somewhat rapid., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident led to massive atmospheric deposition of radioactive substances onto the land surfaces. The spatial distribution of deposits has been estimated by Japanese authorities for gamma-emitting radionuclides through either airborne monitoring surveys (since April 2011) or in situ gamma-ray spectrometry of bare soil areas (since summer 2011). We demonstrate that significant differences exist between the two surveys for radiocaesium isotopes and that these differences can be related to dry deposits through the use of physically based relationships involving aerosol deposition velocities. The methodology, which has been applied to cesium-134 and cesium-137 deposits within 80-km of the nuclear site, provides reasonable spatial estimations of dry and wet deposits that are discussed and compared to atmospheric numerical simulations from the Japanese Atomic Energy Agency and the French Institute of Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety. As a complementary approach to numerical simulations, this field-based analysis has the possibility to contribute information that can be applied to the understanding and assessment of dose impacts to human populations and the environment around Fukushima.

Purpose: We determined whether functional visual acuity (VA) parameters and a dry eyes (DEs) symptoms questionnaire could predict DEs in a population of visual terminal display (VDT) users., Methods: This prospective study included 491 VDT users from the Osaka Study. Subjects with definite DE, diagnosed with the presence of DE symptoms, tear abnormality (Schirmer test ≤ 5 mm or tear breakup time [TBUT] ≤ 5 seconds), and conjunctivocorneal epithelial damage (total staining score of ≥3 points), or probable DE, diagnosed with the presence of two of them, were assigned to a DE group, and the remainder to a non-DE group. Functional VA was assessed, and DE questionnaires were administered. We assessed whether univariate and discriminant analyses could determine to which group a subject belonged. Sensitivity and specificity were assessed., Results: Of 491 subjects, 320 and 171 were assigned to the DE and non-DE groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed between DE and non-DE groups in Schirmer test value and epithelial damage, but TBUT value (3.1 ± 1.5 vs. 5.9 ± 3.0 seconds). The sensitivity and specificity of single test using functional VA parameters were 59% and 49% in functional VA, 60% and 50% in visual maintenance ratio, and 83% and 30% in frequency of blinking, respectively. According to a discriminant analysis using a combination of functional VA parameters and a DE questionnaire, six variables were selected for the discriminant equation, of which area under the curve (AUC) was 0.735. Sensitivity and specificity of diagnoses predicted by the discriminant equation were 85.9% and 45.6%, respectively., Conclusions: The discriminant equation obtained using functional VA measurement combined with a symptoms questionnaire may suggest the possibility for the first step screening of DE with unstable tear film. Since the questionnaire has an overall poor sensitivity and specificity, further amelioration may be necessary for the actual utilization of this screening tool., (Copyright 2014 The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.)

Purpose: To estimate the impact of dry eye disease (DED) on work performance and productivity in office workers using visual display terminals (VDTs)., Design: Cross-sectional study., Methods: Six hundred seventy-two Japanese young and middle-aged office workers using VDTs completed a questionnaire that was designed to measured at-work performance deficits and productivity losses using the Japanese version of the Work Limitations Questionnaire, completed by e-mail. Using the Japanese dry eye diagnostic criteria, respondents were classified into 3 groups: definite DED, probable DED, and non DED., Results: Of the 672 office workers, 553 subjects (82.3%), including 366 men and 187 women, completed the questionnaire and underwent clinical evaluation. As for the total workplace productivity loss, the non DED group demonstrated a loss of 3.56%, those with probable DED demonstrated a loss of 4.06%, and those with definite DED demonstrated a loss of 4.82%, indicating significantly worse performance and productivity (P = .014, trend test). For the 4 subscales, DED was associated with significantly lower on-the-job time management (P = .009, trend test) and combined mental performance and interpersonal functioning (P = .011, trend test). After controlling for age, sex, VDT working hours, and diagnosis of DED, time management, physical demands, and mental and interpersonal functioning showed a significant relationship to DED (each P > .05). Annual DED productivity losses were estimated to be $6160 per employee when measured by total production and $1178 per employee calculated by wage., Conclusions: This study indicated that there is a significant impact of DED on the total productivity of Japanese VDT users., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Soil, vegetation and other ecological compartments are expected to be highly contaminated by the deposited radionuclides after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the resulting tsunami on 11 March 2011. However, there is no field measurement data on the depth distributions of radiocaesium and (131)I concentrations in soil profile. In this study, the depth distribution of the deposited radionuclides in the cultivated soil profile was investigated in one of the most contaminated area after FDNPP accident. The result of this study demonstrated that greater than 86% of total radiocaesium and 79% of total (131)I were absorbed in the upper 2.0 cm in the soil profile. The relaxation mass depth (h(0)) derived from the depth distribution of radiocaesium and (131)I in the soil profile at the study site were 9.1 kg m(-2) and 10.4 kg m(-2), respectively. The h(0) of (137)Cs in the studied soil profile was greater than those for the cultivated soils nearby the Chernobyl NPP. The positive relationship was found between clay content of topsoil and the h(0) of (137)Cs. However, further analysis is required to clarify the effect of clay content on the initial penetration depth of deposited (137)Cs in soil profile., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The present study investigated the extent to which native English listeners' perception of Japanese length contrasts can be modified with perceptual training, and how their performance is affected by factors that influence segment duration, which is a primary correlate of Japanese length contrasts. Listeners were trained in a minimal-pair identification paradigm with feedback, using isolated words contrasting in vowel length, produced at a normal speaking rate. Experiment 1 tested listeners using stimuli varying in speaking rate, presentation context (in isolation versus embedded in carrier sentences), and type of length contrast. Experiment 2 examined whether performance varied by the position of the contrast within the word, and by whether the test talkers were professionally trained or not. Results did not show that trained listeners improved overall performance to a greater extent than untrained control participants. Training improved perception of trained contrast types, generalized to nonprofessional talkers' productions, and improved performance in difficult within-word positions. However, training did not enable listeners to cope with speaking rate variation, and did not generalize to untrained contrast types. These results suggest that perceptual training improves non-native listeners' perception of Japanese length contrasts only to a limited extent.