Discovery and structure-activity relationship of dimesulfazet: a novel rice paddy herbicide.

Dimesulfazet, a novel herbicide for use in paddy rice, was discovered during studies on haloalkylsulfonanilide derivatives. Our research revealed that cyclic sulfonamide derivatives exhibited herbicidal efficacy against paddy weeds prevalent in Japan, such as Schoenoplectiella juncoides (Roxb.) Lye. Furthermore, these derivatives showed efficacy against hard-to-control perennial sedges such as Eleocharis kuroguwai Ohwi. Subsequently, we converted the cyclic sulfonamide derivatives into cyclic amide derivatives, which demonstrated enhanced herbicidal activity. Among these derivatives, dimesulfazet was selected because of its exceptional efficacy against both annual and perennial sedges, while being safe for use on transplanted rice. A simple method was developed for the condensation of benzyl alcohol and cyclic amide intermediates to synthesize trifluoromethanesulfonanilide derivatives. We found that the mode of action of dimesulfazet involved the inhibition of very long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis. Dimesulfazet represents a valuable new tool for controlling S. juncoides, including biotypes resistant to acetolactate synthase inhibitors, and other perennial sedges in rice paddies. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Complete genome sequence of Selenomonas ruminantium subsp. lactilytica will accelerate further understanding of the nature of the class Negativicutes.

Selenomonas ruminantium subsp. lactilytica, a strictly anaerobic ruminal bacterium, possesses typical Gram-negative cell surface structure comprising cytoplasmic membrane, peptidoglycan layer and outer membrane, whereas its 16S rRNA-based taxonomy shows that the bacteria belongs to Gram-positive Firmicutes. Complete genome analysis showed that genes or gene clusters involved in Gram-negative cell structure were scattered in the S. ruminantium genome, and might provide the new insight of phylogenetic relationship between the bacterium and other bacterial species.

Persistent distress after psychological exposure to the Nagasaki atomic bomb explosion.

BACKGROUND: Although there is speculation that individuals living in the vicinity of nuclear disasters have persistent mental health deterioration due to psychological stress, few attempts have been made to examine this issue. AIMS: To determine whether having been in the vicinity of the Nagasaki atomic bomb explosion in the absence of substantial exposure to radiation affected the mental health of local inhabitants more than half a century later. METHOD: Participants were randomly recruited from individuals who lived in the vicinity of the atomic bomb explosion in uncontaminated suburbs of Nagasaki. This sample (n = 347) was stratified by gender, age, perception of the explosion and current district of residence. Controls (n = 288) were recruited from among individuals who had moved into the area from outside Nagasaki 5-15 years after the bombing, matched for gender, age and district of residence. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of those at high risk of mental disorder based on the 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire, with a cut-off point of 5/6. Other parameters related to individual perception of the explosion, health status, life events and habits were also assessed. RESULTS: Having been in the vicinity of the explosion was the most significant factor (OR = 5.26, 95% CI 2.56-11.11) contributing to poorer mental health; erroneous knowledge of radiological hazard showed a mild association. In the sample group, anxiety after learning of the potential radiological hazard was significantly correlated with poor mental health (P<0.05), whereas anxiety about the explosion, or the degree of perception of it, was not; 74.5% of the sample group believed erroneously that the flash of the explosion was synonymous with radiation. CONCLUSIONS: Having been in the vicinity of the atomic bomb explosion without radiological exposure continued to be associated with poorer mental health more than half a century after the event. Fear on learning about the potential radiological hazard and lack of knowledge about radiological risk are responsible for this association.

Long-term influence of working abroad on returnees' mental health.

Although international business travel is increasing, there is a lack of research on its repercussions for mental health. This study analysed the long-term influence of international business travel on the mental health status by comparing depression, anxiety and job stress between workers with and without international assignment experience. The subjects were divided into an 'experienced group' composed of 70 male workers who had experienced an overseas assignment of at least six months, and a 'non-experienced group' consisting of 2,163 male workers who had not. To assess the mental health status, Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Sheehan's Patient Rated Anxiety Scale (Sheehan) were employed. The Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) was used to examine job stress. In addition, information about the characteristics of the overseas assignments was collected. The experienced group had significantly higher scores for job control, supervisor support and co-worker support in the JCQ, while no differences were observed for the SDS and Sheehan. Whether or not the subjects travelled abroad with their families, whether or not they went against their will, and whether or not they enjoyed their stay had no effects on their mental health. Job demand had a significantly positive correlation with the duration of the assignment.

Association between perceived social support and Th1 dominance.

Social support is supposed to have a positive health effect via alteration of immunity. In this study, associations between perceived social support and immune systems were examined. Immunological assessments, e.g. T cell count, Natural Killer cell count, Interferon-gamma, Interleukin-4, and psychological assessments, e.g. Generic Job Stress Questionnaire were conducted on male employees. Two-way (social support x job stressor) analyses of covariance controlling for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, and exercise revealed that there were main effects of perceived social support on NK cell counts, IL-4, and Th1/Th2 balance. On the other hand, interaction effects were observed on T cell counts and INF-gamma production in vitro. Social support affects immune function in a way that is consistent with both the direct and buffering hypotheses depending on the sources of support and the immune parameter.

Development of the overt-covert aggression inventory.

The expression of anger in Japanese people is different from that of other races. We developed a new brief inventory, the Overt-Covert Aggression Inventory, to assess aggressive behavior ofJapanese people by focusing on their uniqueness and examined its reliability and validity. This inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, the Japanese version of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and the Picture-Frustration Study were administered to 3,104 men and 316 women in a factory. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and construct validity of the scale were examined. We confirmed that the Overt-Covert Aggression Inventory has adequate reliability and sufficient concurrent validity, however, further studies of the construct validity and discriminant validity are required.