Human-to-Human Transmission of Influenza A(H3N2) Virus with Reduced Susceptibility to Baloxavir, Japan, February 2019.

In 2019, influenza A(H3N2) viruses carrying an I38T substitution in the polymerase acidic gene, which confers reduced susceptibility to baloxavir, were detected in Japan in an infant without baloxavir exposure and a baloxavir-treated sibling. These viruses' whole-genome sequences were identical, indicating human-to-human transmission. Influenza virus isolates should be monitored for baloxavir susceptibility.

The self-concept of person with chronic schizophrenia in Japan.

AIMS: People with schizophrenia have some problems in terms of function of consciousness of the self. Therefore, what they are conscious of themselves remains unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the self-concept of Japanese with schizophrenia. METHODS: We interviewed Japanese with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and analyzed the interview transcription by means of qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Qualitative content analysis yielded 2001 meaning units and 53 codes from the transcription. The codes were classified into 6 categories: Present Cognition and Definition of the Self, Feeling Towards and Evaluation of the Self, The Self That Is Seen by Others, The Past Self-Image, The Self-Image About Possibility and the Future, and How I Should Be and the Ideal Self. CONCLUSION: One of the categories, Feeling Towards and Evaluation of the Self, means self-confidence, pride, and self-acceptance. In this category, some participants could not accept themselves because they felt "this is not the true self." Considering our finding and the background in Japan, psychiatric hospitalization is long, while hospitalized people with schizophrenia might be aware of the negative stereotypes about them. Therefore, staff should more focus on what people with schizophrenia want to be in their new life and develop new approaches to enhance rebuilding new goal in life and reduce the self-stigma.

Molecular evolutionary analysis of the influenza A(H1N1)pdm, May-September, 2009: temporal and spatial spreading profile of the viruses in Japan.

BACKGROUND: In March 2009, pandemic influenza A(H1N1) (A(H1N1)pdm) emerged in Mexico and the United States. In Japan, since the first outbreak of A(H1N1)pdm in Osaka and Hyogo Prefectures occurred in the middle of May 2009, the virus had spread over 16 of 47 prefectures as of June 4, 2009. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We analyzed all-segment concatenated genome sequences of 75 isolates of A(H1N1)pdm viruses in Japan, and compared them with 163 full-genome sequences in the world. Two analyzing methods, distance-based and Bayesian coalescent MCMC inferences were adopted to elucidate an evolutionary relationship of the viruses in the world and Japan. Regardless of the method, the viruses in the world were classified into four distinct clusters with a few exceptions. Cluster 1 was originated earlier than cluster 2, while cluster 2 was more widely spread around the world. The other two clusters (clusters 1.2 and 1.3) were suggested to be distinct reassortants with different types of segment assortments. The viruses in Japan seemed to be a multiple origin, which were derived from approximately 28 transported cases. Twelve cases were associated with monophyletic groups consisting of Japanese viruses, which were referred to as micro-clade. While most of the micro-clades belonged to the cluster 2, the clade of the first cases of infection in Japan originated from cluster 1.2. Micro-clades of Osaka/Kobe and the Fukuoka cases, both of which were school-wide outbreaks, were eradicated. Time of most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) for each micro-clade demonstrated that some distinct viruses were transmitted in Japan between late May and early June, 2009, and appeared to spread nation-wide throughout summer. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that many viruses were transmitted from abroad in late May 2009 irrespective of preventive actions against the pandemic influenza, and that the influenza A(H1N1)pdm had become a pandemic stage in June 2009 in Japan.

Three lanostane triterpenoids, aeruginosols A, B and C, from the fruiting bodies of Stropharia aeruginosa.

Phytochemical analysis of the MeOH extract of the fruiting bodies of Stropharia aeruginosa resulted in the isolation of three lanostane triterpenoids, aeruginosols A, B and C. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis. The biological activities of aeruginosols A, B and C were examined by bioassay with lettuce seedling.