Investigation of antibody to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) in blood samples donated in a SFTS-endemic area in Japan.

The risk of transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI) for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a concern because person-to-person transmission resulting from contact with SFTSV-contaminated blood has been reported. To obtain information regarding the risk of TTI-SFTSV, antibody testing was performed for blood samples donated in an severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome-endemic area in Japan. No antibody-positive samples were detected among 3990 samples. This finding suggested that there were few cases of SFTSV infection among donors and that the risk of TTI-SFTSV was also estimated low in Japan.

Genetic divergence with ongoing gene flow is maintained by the use of different hosts in phytophagous ladybird beetles genus Henosepilachna.

Adaptation to different environments can promote population divergence via natural selection even in the presence of gene flow - a phenomenon that typically occurs during ecological speciation. To elucidate how natural selection promotes and maintains population divergence during speciation, we investigated the population genetic structure, degree of gene flow and heterogeneous genomic divergence in three closely related Japanese phytophagous ladybird beetles: Henosepilachna pustulosa, H. niponica and H. yasutomii. These species act as a generalist, a wild thistle (Cirsium spp.) specialist and a blue cohosh (Caulophyllum robustum) specialist, respectively, and their ranges differ accordingly. The two specialist species widely co-occur but are reproductively isolated solely due to their high specialization to a particular host plant. Genomewide amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences demonstrated obvious genomewide divergence associated with both geographic distance and ecological divergence. However, a hybridization assessment for both AFLP loci and the mitochondrial sequences revealed a certain degree of unidirectional gene flow between the two sympatric specialist species. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) based on all of the variable AFLP loci demonstrated that there are genetic similarities between populations from adjacent localities irrespective of the species (i.e. host range). However, a further comparative genome scan identified a few fractions of loci representing approximately 1% of all loci as different host-associated outliers. These results suggest that these three species had a complex origin, which could be obscured by current gene flow, and that ecological divergence can be maintained with only a small fraction of the genome is related to different host use even when there is a certain degree of gene flow between sympatric species pairs.

The association between dentition status and sarcopenia in Japanese adults aged ≥75 years.

Sarcopenia is an age-related loss of muscle mass and muscle strength or physical performance. There are limited data on the association between oral health and sarcopenia. To test the hypothesis that impaired dentition status was associated with sarcopenia, we conducted a cross-sectional study. A total of 272 community-dwelling Japanese adults aged ≥75 years for whom data were available from comprehensive health examinations conducted in 2015 were included in this study. During dental examination, the number of natural teeth and occluding pairs of natural teeth was counted. In denture wearers, the fit of the removable dentures was also evaluated. The criteria proposed by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia were used to define sarcopenia. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between dentition status and the presence of sarcopenia. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 25·7% (70/272). Compared to individuals with ≥10 occluding pairs of natural teeth, those with no occluding pairs of natural teeth had significantly higher risk of having sarcopenia (adjusted odds ratio, 3·37; 95% confidence interval, 1·07-10·61), after adjusting for possible confounders. In addition, compared to individuals with well-fitting dentures, those with ill-fitting dentures had significantly higher risk of having sarcopenia (adjusted odds ratio, 5·07; 95% confidence interval, 1·59-16·19). Our findings suggest that impaired dentition status is significantly associated with sarcopenia among community-dwelling Japanese adults aged ≥75 years. Future longitudinal studies with larger, more diverse populations are necessary to validate our findings.

Dome-shaped magnetic order competing with high-temperature superconductivity at high pressures in FeSe.

The coexistence and competition between superconductivity and electronic orders, such as spin or charge density waves, have been a central issue in high transition-temperature (Tc) superconductors. Unlike other iron-based superconductors, FeSe exhibits nematic ordering without magnetism whose relationship with its superconductivity remains unclear. Moreover, a pressure-induced fourfold increase of Tc has been reported, which poses a profound mystery. Here we report high-pressure magnetotransport measurements in FeSe up to ∼15 GPa, which uncover the dome shape of magnetic phase superseding the nematic order. Above ∼6 GPa the sudden enhancement of superconductivity (Tc≤38.3 K) accompanies a suppression of magnetic order, demonstrating their competing nature with very similar energy scales. Above the magnetic dome, we find anomalous transport properties suggesting a possible pseudogap formation, whereas linear-in-temperature resistivity is observed in the normal states of the high-Tc phase above 6 GPa. The obtained phase diagram highlights unique features of FeSe among iron-based superconductors, but bears some resemblance to that of high-Tc cuprates.

Longitudinal relationship of severe periodontitis with cognitive decline in older Japanese.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Epidemiologic data examining the longitudinal relationship between periodontitis and cognitive status are very limited, especially in Asian populations. The present study examined the longitudinal relationship of periodontitis with cognitive decline in 85 Japanese community-dwelling individuals (average age: 79.3 years) for whom data were available from comprehensive health examinations conducted in 2010 and 2013. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on a baseline full-mouth periodontal examination, severe periodontitis was defined using a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Academy of Periodontology definition. Cognitive decline during the 3-year study period was defined using the results of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Information on age, gender, education, depression, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use, exercise, hypertension, diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and baseline MMSE scores were obtained and tested as potential confounders in the statistical models. RESULTS: Among 85 study participants, 21 (24.7%) were defined as having severe periodontitis. Multivariable Poisson regression analyses revealed that severe periodontitis was significantly associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline [adjusted relative risk = 2.2; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.1-4.5]. Furthermore, multivariable linear regression analyses revealed that participants with severe periodontitis had a 1.8-point greater decrease (95% CI: -3.3 to -0.2) in MMSE score than those without severe periodontitis. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations related to its small sample size, the findings of the present study suggest that severe periodontitis is significantly associated with future decline in cognitive function among community-dwelling older Japanese subjects.

Development of multi-frequency ESR system for high-pressure measurements up to 2.5 GPa.

A new piston-cylinder pressure cell for electron spin resonance (ESR) has been developed. The pressure cell consists of a double-layer hybrid-type cylinder with internal components made of the ZrO2-based ceramics. It can generate a pressure of 2 GPa repeatedly and reaches a maximum pressure of around 2.5 GPa. A high-pressure ESR system using a cryogen-free superconducting magnet up 10T has also been developed for this hybrid-type pressure cell. The frequency region is from 50 GHz to 400 GHz. This is the first time a pressure above 2 GPa has been achieved in multi-frequency ESR system using a piston-cylinder pressure cell. We demonstrate its potential by showing the results of the high-pressure ESR of the S=1 system with the single ion anisotropy NiSnCl6·6H2O and the S=1/2 quantum spin system CsCuCl3. We performed ESR measurements of these systems above 2 GPa successfully.

Association between dental status and food diversity among older Japanese.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of dental status to food diversity among older Japanese. DESIGN AND SETTING: A community-based cross-sectional study conducted in the town of Tosa, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. METHODS: The study participants were 252 Japanese (84 men and 168 women, average age 81.2 years) and dentate participants were classified into three groups: 1-9 teeth, 10-19 teeth and 20 or more teeth. Food diversity was assessed as a validated measure of dietary quality using the 11-item Food Diversity Score Kyoto (FDSK-11), which evaluates frequency of consumption of 11 main food groups. Multivariable analysis of the differences in FDSK-11 score ranging from 0 to 11, with a higher score indicating greater food diversity, among the three dental status groups was conducted using general linear models. All the performed analyses were stratified by gender. RESULTS: There was no association between dental status and food diversity score in models for men. In contrast, women with ≤ 9 teeth and with 10-19 teeth had significantly lower FDSK-11 scores than women with ≥ 20 teeth after adjusting for confounders (p < 0.001 and p = 0.009, respectively). Additionally, there was a trend toward lower scores for FDSK-11 with fewer teeth (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: A less varied diet, as indicated by low FDSK-11 score, was observed in female participants with fewer teeth. Tooth loss was associated with poor diet quality among older Japanese women.

Pressure induced superconductivity on the border of magnetic order in MnP.

We report the discovery of superconductivity on the border of long-range magnetic order in the itinerant-electron helimagnet MnP via the application of high pressure. Superconductivity with T(sc)≈1 K emerges and exists merely near the critical pressure P(c)≈8 GPa, where the long-range magnetic order just vanishes. The present finding makes MnP the first Mn-based superconductor. The close proximity of superconductivity to a magnetic instability suggests an unconventional pairing mechanism. Moreover, the detailed analysis of the normal-state transport properties evidenced non-Fermi-liquid behavior and the dramatic enhancement of the quasiparticle effective mass near P(c) associated with the magnetic quantum fluctuations.

Pressure-induced valence crossover and novel metamagnetic behavior near the antiferromagnetic quantum phase transition of YbNi_{3}Ga_{9}.

We report electrical resistivity, ac magnetic susceptibility, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements of intermediate valence YbNi_{3}Ga_{9} under pressure and magnetic field. We have revealed a characteristic pressure-induced Yb valence crossover within the temperature-pressure phase diagram, and a first-order metamagnetic transition is found below P_{c}∼9 GPa where the system undergoes a pressure-induced antiferromagnetic transition. As a possible origin of the metamagnetic behavior, a critical valence fluctuation emerging near the critical point of the first-order valence transition is discussed on the basis of the temperature-field-pressure phase diagram.

Charge disproportionation and the pressure-induced insulator-metal transition in cubic perovskite PbCrO3.

The perovskite PbCrO3 is an antiferromagnetic insulator. However, the fundamental interactions leading to the insulating state in this single-valent perovskite are unclear. Moreover, the origin of the unprecedented volume drop observed at a modest pressure of P = 1.6 GPa remains an outstanding problem. We report a variety of in situ pressure measurements including electron transport properties, X-ray absorption spectrum, and crystal structure study by X-ray and neutron diffraction. These studies reveal key information leading to the elucidation of the physics behind the insulating state and the pressure-induced transition. We argue that a charge disproportionation 3Cr(4+) → 2Cr(3+) + Cr(6+) in association with the 6s-p hybridization on the Pb(2+) is responsible for the insulating ground state of PbCrO3 at ambient pressure and the charge disproportionation phase is suppressed under pressure to give rise to a metallic phase at high pressure. The model is well supported by density function theory plus the correlation energy U (DFT+U) calculations.

Integrated-fin gasket for palm cubic-anvil high pressure apparatus.

We described an integrated-fin gasket technique for the palm cubic-anvil apparatus specialized for the high-pressure and low-temperature measurements. By using such a gasket made from the semi-sintered MgO ceramics and the tungsten-carbide anvils of 2.5 mm square top, we successfully generate pressures over 16 GPa at both room and cryogenic temperatures down to 0.5 K. We observed a pressure self-increment for this specific configuration and further characterized the thermally induced pressure variation by monitoring the antiferromagnetic transition temperature of chromium up to 12 GPa. In addition to enlarge the pressure capacity, such a modified gasket also improves greatly the surviving rate of electrical leads hanging the sample inside a Teflon capsule filled with the liquid pressure-transmitting medium. These improvements should be attributed to the reduced extrusion of gasket materials during the initial compression.

A case of maxillary sarcoma in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).

Oral malignancy is rare in chimpanzees. A 34-year-old female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) at Kumamoto Sanctuary, Japan, had developed it. Treatment is technically difficult for chimpanzees while malignant neoplasm is seemingly rising in captive populations. Widespread expert discussion, guidelines for treatment, especially for great apes in terminal stages is urgently needed.

Possible Kondo physics near a metal-insulator crossover in the a-site ordered perovskite CaCu3Ir4O12.

The A-site ordered perovskite (AA(3)')B(4)O(12) can accommodate transition metals on both A' and B sites in the crystal structure. Because of this structural feature, it is possible to have narrow-band electrons interacting with broadband electrons from different sublattices. Here we report a new A-site ordered perovskite (CaCu(3))Ir(4)O(12) synthesized under high pressure. The coupling between localized spins on Cu(2+) and itinerant electrons from the Ir-O sublattice makes Kondo-like physics take place at a temperature as high as 80 K. Results from the local density approximation calculation have confirmed the relevant band structure. The magnetization anomaly found at 80 K can be well rationalized by the two-fluid model.

Pressure-induced heavy fermion superconductivity in the nonmagnetic quadrupolar system PrTi(2)Al(20).

We report the discovery of a pressure-induced heavy fermion superconductivity in a nonmagnetic orbital ordering state in the cubic compound PrTi(2)Al(20). In particular, we found that the transition temperature and the effective mass associated with the superconductivity are dramatically enhanced as the system approaches the putative quantum critical point of the orbital order. Our experiment indicates that the strong orbital fluctuations may provide a nonmagnetic glue for Cooper pairing.

Eating alone among community-dwelling Japanese elderly: association with depression and food diversity.

UNLABELLED: Eating alone is an emerging social concern these days along with the background of serious aging population growth and increasing number of single-dwellers in Japan. However, little study is focused eating alone and its relation to the health status of community-dwelling elderly. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the relations between eating alone and geriatric functions such as depression, quantitative subjective quality of life (QOL), activities of daily living (ADL) and dietary status of community-dwelling Japanese elderly. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTINGS: Tosa town, one of the "super-aged" towns in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: The study population consisted of 856 community-dwelling elderly aged ≥65 living in Tosa town. MEASUREMENTS: Eating alone and living arrangement was defined by the questionnaire. Geriatric functions were assessed by measuring activities of daily living (ADL), depressive symptom using 15-item geriatric depression scale (GDS-15), and quality of life (QOL). Food diversity was investigated as a measure of dietary quality using 11-item Food Diversity Score Kyoto (FDSK-11). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using height and body weight during a medical assessment. RESULTS: The proportion of the elderly who usually eat alone was 33.2% in this study population. Even among 697 elderly subjects who live with others, 136 persons (19.5%) ate alone. The participants who ate alone were significantly depressed according to the assessment using GDS-15 score (5.7±4.3 vs. 4.4±3.8, P<0.001). Those who ate alone have lower scores of QOL items than those who ate with others (Subjective sense of health: 52.5±21.9 vs. 55.7±20.2 P=0.035, Relationship with family: 74.1±23.5 vs. 78.9±18.6 P<0.001, Subjective happiness: 58.5±22.7 vs. 62.2±21.1 P=0.019). A significant close association was found between eating alone and lower food diversity (FDSK-11 score 9.9±1.3 vs. 10.2±1.3, P=0.002). BMI was lower in the elderly subjects who ate alone than those with others. By the multivariate analysis, depression was independently associated with eating alone in the logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, BMI and food diversity as confounding factors (OR: 1.42, CI: 1.00-2.11, P=0.043). Food diversity was also significantly associated even after the adjustment of these confounding factors. CONCLUSION: Eating alone is an important issue related to depression and QOL as well as dietary status of community-dwellingl elderly in Japan. This study shows the simple and inexpensive way "eating together" may contribute to improve depressive mood of elderly persons, with a strong message that supports of family, friends and neighbors are very important.

Pressure effect on the structural transition and suppression of the high-spin state in the triple-layer T'-La4Ni3O8.

We report a comprehensive high-pressure study on the triple-layer T'-La4Ni3O8 with a suite of experimental probes, including structure determination, magnetic, and transport properties up to 50 GPa. Consistent with a recent ab inito calculation, application of hydrostatic pressure suppresses an insulator-metal spin-state transition at P(c)≈6 GPa. However, a low-spin metallic phase does not emerge after the high-spin state is suppressed to the lowest temperature. For P>20 GPa, the ambient T' structure transforms gradually to a T(†)-type structure, which involves a structural reconstruction from fluorite La-O2-La blocks under low pressures to rock-salt LaO-LaO blocks under high pressures. Absence of the metallic phase under pressure has been discussed in terms of local displacements of O2- ions in the fluorite block under pressure before a global T(†) phase is established.

Divergent host plant specialization as the critical driving force in speciation between populations of a phytophagous ladybird beetle.

Detecting the isolating barrier that arises earliest in speciation is critically important to understanding the mechanism of species formation. We tested isolating barriers between host races of a phytophagous ladybird beetle, Henosepilachna diekei (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Epilachnine), that occur sympatrically on distinct host plants. We conducted field surveys for the distribution of the beetles and host plants, rearing experiments to measure six potential isolating factors (adult host preference, adult and larval host performance, sexual isolation, egg hatchability, F(1) hybrid inviability, and sexual selection against F(1) hybrids), and molecular analyses of mitochondrial ND2 and the nuclear ITS2 sequences. We found significant genetic divergence between the host races, and extremely divergent host preference (i.e. habitat isolation) and host performance (i.e. immigrant inviability), but no other isolating barriers. The fidelity to particular host plants arises first and alone can prevent gene flow between differentiating populations of phytophagous specialists.

Co[V2]o4: a spinel approaching the itinerant electron limit.

Studies of the structure, magnetization, and resistivity under pressure on stoichiometric normal spinel Co[V(2)]O(4) single crystals show (i) absence of a structural distortion, (ii) abnormal magnetic critical exponents, and (iii) metallic conductivity induced by pressures at low temperatures. All these results prove that Co[V(2)]O(4) sits on the edge of the itinerant-electron limit. Compared with similar measurements on Fe[V(2)]O(4) and other A[V(2)]O(4) studies, it is shown that a critical V-V separation for a localized-itinerant electronic phase transition exists.

A nationwide survey for prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibody in qualified blood donors in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In previous studies, we reported the transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV) by transfusion, and the frequent detection of HEV markers in Japanese blood donors with elevated ALT levels. For the current study, we carried out a nationwide survey of the prevalence of IgG anti-HEV in qualified blood donors throughout Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 12,600 samples from qualified blood donors were collected from seven blood centres (1800 per centre) representing nearly all regions of Japan. Samples were from age- and sex-matched blood donors who tested negative for all the current blood screening tests. The samples were screened using the in-house IgG anti-HEV ELISA. Sequentially, the positive samples were tested by the commercial IgG anti-HEV ELISA. RESULTS: Of 12,600 samples, 431 (3·4%) were regarded as positive for IgG anti-HEV. The prevalence of IgG anti-HEV was higher in eastern Japan (5·6%) than in western Japan (1·8%) (P<0·001), and was also age-dependent and higher in men (3·9%) than in women (2·9%) (P=0·002). CONCLUSION: The spread of the domestic infection of HEV was observed in qualified blood donors in Japan. A higher prevalence of IgG anti-HEV was observed in male donors, older donors and in donors residing in eastern Japan. Further studies are necessary to clarify the potential risk of transfusion-transmission of HEV in Japan.

A cubic-anvil high-pressure device for pulsed neutron powder diffraction.

A compact cubic-anvil high-pressure device was developed for in situ neutron powder diffraction studies. In this device, a cubic shaped pressure medium is compressed by six anvils, and neutron beams pass through gaps between the anvils. The first high-pressure experiment using this device was conducted at J-PARC and clearly showed the neutron diffraction patterns of Pb. Combining the cubic-anvil high-pressure device with a pulsed neutron source will prove to be a useful tool for neutron diffraction experiments.