Antibody titers and the risk of infection during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron phase in Bizen City, Japan.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the association between the immune response and the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has implications for forthcoming prevention strategies. We evaluated the association between antibody titers and the risk of infection for the general population during the Omicron-dominant phase. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of residents or people affiliated with institutions in Bizen City, which included 1,899 participants. We measured the titers of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 repeatedly every 2 months from June 2022 to March 2023. Infection status was obtained from self-reported questionnaires and the official registry. We estimated risk ratios (RRs) for infection within 2 months of the date of each antibody measurement with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on antibody titer categories and spline functions. RESULTS: Compared with the <2,500 arbitrary unit (AU)/mL category, the 2,500-5,000, 5,000-10,000, and ≥10,000 AU/mL categories had adjusted RRs (95% CI) of 0.81 (0.61-1.08), 0.51 (0.36-0.72), and 0.41 (0.31-0.54), respectively. The spline function showed a non-linear relationship between antibody titer and risk. CONCLUSIONS: Higher antibody titers were associated with a lower risk. We demonstrate the usefulness of measuring an antibody titers to determine the appropriate timing for future vaccination.

Delivery room intubation and neurodevelopment among extremely preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: The impact of delivery room intubation (DRI) on neurodevelopment in extremely preterm infants remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data for infants born at 24-27 gestational weeks between 2003 and 2018. The primary outcome was neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI), defined as cerebral palsy or hearing, visual, or cognitive impairment at age 3 years. Secondary outcomes were NDI components and death before and after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. We conducted robust Poisson regression analyses, adjusting for perinatal confounders. RESULTS: The full cohort included 4397 infants with NDI data, of whom 3703 were intubated in the delivery room and 694 were not intubated in the delivery room. The mean gestational age and birth weight were 26.0 ± 1.1 weeks and 778 ± 184 g for infants with DRI and 26.6 ± 1.0 weeks and 873 ± 184 g for infants without DRI. Compared with infants without DRI, those with DRI had a higher risk for NDI (32.4% vs. 23.3%; adjusted risk ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.37). There were no differences in secondary outcomes between infants with and without DRI. CONCLUSIONS: DRI was associated with an increased risk for NDI at age 3 years among extremely preterm infants. IMPACT: Few studies have examined the impact of delivery room intubation on neurodevelopment in infants born extremely preterm, and the results have been inconsistent. A total of 4397 infants born at 24-27 gestational weeks who had neurodevelopmental data at age 3 years were included in the present study. The present study found that delivery room intubation was associated with an increased risk for neurodevelopmental impairment at age 3 years among extremely preterm infants.

Delayed diagnostic interval and survival outcomes in pediatric leukemia: A single-center, retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study primarily focused on the diagnostic interval (DI), defined as the duration from the onset of leukemic symptoms to diagnosis. We investigated whether a prolonged DI is associated with the outcomes of pediatric leukemia. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data of children with newly diagnosed pediatric leukemia at Okayama University Hospital from January 2007 to December 2022. Survival analyses were conducted using Kaplan-Meier methods, and an unadjusted analysis to compare differences in survival was performed using the log-rank test. RESULTS: In total, 103 children with leukemia were included in the analysis. The median DI was 20 days (interquartile range, 9.5-33.5 days). A prolonged DI (≥30 days) demonstrated no association with either 5-year event-free survival (70.1% for <30 days and 68.3% for ≥30 days, p = .99, log-rank test) or overall survival (84.7% for <30 days and 89.4% for ≥30 days, p = .85, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: A prolonged DI was not associated with the survival of children with leukemia. If a precise classification of leukemia biology is provided for pediatric patients, a prolonged DI may have little impact on the prognosis of these patients.

Role of the Cytosolic Domain of the a3 Subunit of V-ATPase in the Interaction with Rab7 and Secretory Lysosome Trafficking in Osteoclasts.

We previously reported that the a3 subunit of proton-pumping vacuolar-type ATPase (V-ATPase) interacts with Rab7 and its guanine nucleotide exchange factor, Mon1a-Ccz1, and recruits them to secretory lysosomes in osteoclasts, which is essential for anterograde trafficking of secretory lysosomes. The a3 subunit interacts with Mon1a-Ccz1 through its cytosolic N-terminal domain. Here, we examined the roles of this domain in the interaction with Rab7 and trafficking of secretory lysosomes. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that a3 interacted with Rab7 through its cytosolic domain, similar to the interaction with Mon1a-Ccz1. We connected this domain with a lysosome localization signal and expressed it in a3-knockout (a3KO) osteoclasts. Although the signal connected to the cytosolic domain was mainly detected in lysosomes, impaired lysosome trafficking in a3KO osteoclasts was not rescued. These results indicate that the cytosolic domain of a3 can interact with trafficking regulators, but is insufficient to induce secretory lysosome trafficking. The C-terminal domain of a3 and other subunits of V-ATPase are likely required to form a fully functional complex for secretory lysosome trafficking.

A nationwide birth cohort in Japan showed increased risk of early childhood hospitalisation in infants born small for gestational age.

AIM: To examine associations between children being born small for gestational age and childhood hospitalisation following term and preterm births. METHODS: This study included 34 564 children from a nationwide population-based longitudinal survey starting in 2010, comprising 32 603 term births and 1961 preterm births. Children's hospitalisation history was examined during two observational periods, 6-18 and 6-66 months of age. Logistic regression analysis was conducted, adjusting for child and parental confounders, with children born appropriate for gestational age as reference. RESULTS: Children born small for gestational age were more likely to be hospitalised during early childhood than those born appropriate for gestational age. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for hospitalisation from 6 to 66 months of age was 1.19 (1.05-1.34) in term children born small for gestational age and 1.47 (1.05-2.06) for preterm children born small for gestational age, compared with those born appropriate for gestational age. The risk of hospitalisation from 6 to 66 months of age in children born small for gestational age was observed for bronchitis/pneumonia. CONCLUSION: We observed the adverse effects of small for gestational age on hospitalisation during early childhood in both term and preterm births, particularly for bronchitis and pneumonia.

Respiratory Severity Score and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at Age 3 Years in Extremely Preterm Infants.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the association between respiratory severity score (RSS; mean airway pressure × fraction of inspired oxygen) and neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study. We analyzed data from extremely preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Okayama Medical Center between 2010 and 2019. Infants without invasive respiratory management during the first day of life were excluded. The exposure variable was the highest RSS during the first day of life. RSS was categorized into two groups: low (<3.5) and high (≥3.5) RSS. The primary outcome was death or neurodevelopmental impairment at age 3 years, defined as cognitive impairment (developmental quotient <70) or the presence of cerebral palsy. Secondary outcomes were the components of the primary outcome. We conducted robust Poisson regression analyses to investigate the association between RSS category and primary and secondary outcomes, adjusting for perinatal confounders. RESULTS: The cohort included 97 infants with neurodevelopmental data, of whom 34 and 63 infants were in the low- and high-RSS categories, respectively. The median (interquartile range) gestational age and birth weight were 26.0 (24.7-26.9) and 25.7 (24.6-26.7) weeks and 761 (584-866) and 806 (618-898) g for infants in the low- and high-RSS categories, respectively. Compared with infants in the low-RSS category, those in the high-RSS category had a greater risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment at age 3 years (26.3 vs. 42.3%; adjusted risk ratio [RR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-3.5) and neurodevelopmental impairment at age 3 years (17.6 vs. 28.6%; adjusted RR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3-5.9). CONCLUSION: High RSS (≥3.5) during the first day of life was associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairment at age 3 years in extremely preterm infants. KEY POINTS: · RSS is a valuable tool for assessing respiratory failure.. · RSS = Mean airway pressure × fraction of inspired oxygen.. · RSS at age 1 day was associated with neurodevelopment..

Melanoma antigens recognized by T cells and their use for immunotherapy.

Melanoma has been a prototype for cancer immunology research, and the mechanisms of anti-tumor T-cell responses have been extensively investigated in patients treated with various immunotherapies. Individual differences in cancer-immune status are defined mainly by cancer cell characteristics such as DNA mutations generating immunogenic neo-antigens, and oncogene activation causing immunosuppression, but also by patients' genetic backgrounds such as HLA types and genetic polymorphisms of immune related molecules, and environmental and lifestyle factors such as UV rays, smoking, gut microbiota and concomitant medications; these factors have an influence on the efficacy of immunotherapy. Recent comparative studies on responders and non-responders in immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy using various new technologies including multi-omics analyses on genomic DNA, mRNA, metabolites and microbiota and single cell analyses of various immune cells have led to the advance of human tumor immunology and the development of new immunotherapy. Based on the new findings from these investigations, personalized cancer immunotherapies along with appropriate biomarkers and therapeutic targets are being developed for patients with melanoma. Here, we will discuss one of the essential subjects in tumor immunology: identification of immunogenic tumor antigens and their effective use in various immunotherapies including cancer vaccines and adoptive T-cell therapy.

Association between infant breastfeeding practices and timing of peak height velocity: A nationwide longitudinal survey in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have discovered an association between infant feeding practices and puberty timing; however, most have involved female cohorts. We investigated the association between infant feeding practices and the timing of peak height velocity in boys and girls. METHODS: Data on infant feeding methods and anthropometric measurements were collected from a nationwide Japanese birth cohort study. The age at peak height velocity (APV, years) was estimated and compared. Subsequently, the effects of breastfeeding duration were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 13,074 eligible participants, 650, 9455, and 2969 were formula-, mixed-, and exclusively breastfed, respectively. Among girls, the mean APV was significantly later in the mixed-fed (standardized regression coefficient (ß): 0.094, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.004-0.180) and exclusively breastfed (ß: 0.150, 95% CI: 0.056-0.250) groups than in the formula-fed group. Among boys, the mean APV was not significantly different among the three groups; however, a sensitivity analysis that excluded preterm birth revealed more significantly delayed APV in the breastfed-only group compared to the formula-fed group. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression model revealed that a longer breastfeeding period was associated with later APV. CONCLUSIONS: Infant breastfeeding practices can affect the timing of peak height velocity in both boys and girls. IMPACT: Several studies have discovered an association between infant feeding practices and puberty timing; however, most have involved female cohorts. Age at peak height velocity, derived from longitudinal height measurements, is a useful marker of secondary sexual maturity milestones in boys and girls. A Japanese birth cohort study revealed that breastfed children had a later age at peak height velocity than their formula-fed counterparts; this was more prominent among girls than boys. Furthermore, a duration-effect relationship was observed, where longer breastfeeding duration was associated with a later age at peak height velocity.

Association between handwashing and gargling education for children and prevention of respiratory tract infections: a longitudinal Japanese children population-based study.

PURPOSE: A longitudinal study was conducted to examine the effects of handwashing and gargling education for children on the prevention of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children in Japan. METHODS: The study included 38,554 children born in 2010 who were enrolled in a longitudinal study. Information on children's hygiene education regarding handwashing and gargling was collected in a survey at the age of 3.5 years. Based on parents' reports of doctors' diagnoses, airway infections and influenza events in the 12-month duration before the survey were evaluated for RTIs at the ages of 4.5 and 9 years. Poisson regression with robust variance was performed to examine the effects of hygiene education on RTIs prevention. The supplementary analysis was stratified by household income. RESULTS: Children were categorized into different groups: 38% in the handwashing and gargling group, 29% in the handwashing group, 0.1% in the gargling group, and 9.7% in the no-education group. Exclusions were made for non-respondent children (23%) and those in the gargling group. Hygiene education was associated with decreased influenza at the age of 4.5 years in the handwashing (adjusted RR [aRR] = 0.8; 95% CI, 0.8-0.9) and handwashing and gargling groups (aRR = 0.8; 95% CI, 0.8-0.9) compared with no education. However, no preventive effects on airway infections at the age of 4.5 and 9, influenza at the age of 9, or hospitalization between the ages of 3.5 and 9 years were detected. Handwashing and gargling could significantly prevent influenza in low-income households (aRR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.6-0.8).     Conclusions: Gargling education was widespread and mostly combined with handwashing education in Japan. Hygiene education significantly affected prevention of influenza infections at the age of 4.5 years, especially in low-income households. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Previous intervention studies showed handwashing and gargling are effective in preventing respiratory tract infections. WHAT IS NEW: • We conducted a longitudinal study on handwashing and gargling education in Japanese children and found that handwashing and gargling were widely practiced together. • Handwashing and gargling education were related to a reduction in influenza, particularly in low-income households.

Effect of 2-week postpartum check-ups on screening positive for postpartum depression: a population-based cohort study using instrumental variable estimation in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression is experienced by approximately 10% of women and affects the health and development of their children. Although it is recommended that all mothers have the opportunity for early detection and intervention for postpartum depression, it is unclear whether early postpartum check-ups help to reduce postpartum depression. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 2-week postpartum check-ups on screening positive for postpartum depression in Japan. METHODS: This was a population-based cohort study that used the administrative database of Tsuyama, Japan. Participants were women who received postpartum home visits from a public health nurse in Tsuyama during the fiscal years 2017-2019. Data were obtained on participant's attendance at a 2-week postpartum check-up and their responses on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. Owing to the initiation of a publicly funded postpartum check-up programme, participants were pseudo-randomly assigned to receive/not receive a 2-week postpartum check-up. We conducted instrumental variable estimation to assess the causal effects of the check-up on screening positive for postpartum depression. RESULTS: The characteristics of the 1,382 participants did not differ by fiscal year of childbirth. We found a 6.7% (95% confidence interval 2.2-11.2) reduction in the prevalence of screening positive for postpartum depression as an effect of 2-week postpartum check-ups among women received 1-month postpartum home visits. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that 2-week postpartum check-ups are effective in reducing the prevalence of screening positive for postpartum depression among 1-month postpartum women. Despite some limitations, early postpartum care could reduce postpartum depression.

Association of Prehospital Physician Presence During Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest With Neurologic Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of prehospital physician presence with neurologic outcomes of pediatric patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Data from the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine-OHCA Registry. INTERVENTIONS: None. PATIENTS: Pediatric patients (age 17 yr old or younger) registered in the database between June 2014 and December 2019. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: We used logistic regression models with stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to estimate the associated treatment effect of a prehospital physician with 1-month neurologically intact survival. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and 1-month survival after OHCA. A total of 1,187 patients (276 in the physician presence group and 911 in the physician absence group) were included (median age 3 yr [interquartile range 0-14 yr]; 723 [61%] male). Comparison of the physician presence group, versus the physician absence, showed 1-month favorable neurologic outcomes of 8.3% (23/276) versus 3.6% (33/911). Physician presence was associated with greater odds of 1-month neurologically intact survival after stabilized IPTW adjustment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.98, 95% CI 1.08-3.66). We also found an association in the secondary outcome between physician presence, opposed to absence, and in-hospital ROSC (aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.08-2.04). However, we failed to identify an association with 1-month survival (aOR 1.49, 95% CI 0.97-2.88). CONCLUSIONS: Among pediatric patients with OHCA, prehospital physician presence, compared with absence, was associated almost two-fold greater odds of 1-month favorable neurologic outcomes.

Examining the association between vaccine reactogenicity and antibody titer dynamics after the third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine using a mixed-effects model.

BACKGROUND: To mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have recommended the use of booster vaccinations. The relationship between the degree of adverse vaccine reactions and elevated antibody titers is of interest; however, no studies have investigated the temporal changes in antibody titers based on repeated measurements after a third dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted with 62 healthcare workers who received a third dose of the BNT162b2 at Okayama University Hospital, Japan. Venous blood draw and fingertip whole blood test sample collection were conducted at the early (3-13 days) and 1-month time points; only FWT sample collection was conducted at the 2-month time point. Information on adverse reactions within 1 week after vaccination was also obtained. The association between fever of 37.5 °C or higher and antibody titers after the third dose of BNT162b2 was examined using a mixed-effects model and Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: A trend toward higher antibody titers in the early period after vaccination was observed in the febrile individuals, but the differences were not significant at 1 and 2 months post-vaccination (the partial regression coefficient for fever was 8094.3 [-1910.2, 18,098.8] at 1 month after vaccination, and 1764.1 [-4133.9, 7662.1] at 2 months after vaccination in the adjusted models). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the presence of fever after the third vaccine does not predict a sustained elevation in serum antibody titers.

Obesity, overweight, and severe prognosis in COVID-19 patients in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity (i.e., body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or more) is one of the risk factors for severe COVID-19, but the findings may not be directly applicable to Asians, who have a different cutoff point for defining obesity. We thus examined the association between obesity/overweight (BMI of 25 kg/m2 or more and less than 30 kg/m2) and the risk of COVID-19 severity. METHODS: The study population included COVID-19 patients who had been enrolled in the registry of the Okayama City Public Health Center in Okayama, Japan, between March 2020 and June 2022. We included 27 820 patients who had information on BMI and prognosis, and we conducted Poisson regression analysis with robust error variance to estimate risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for severe outcomes. RESULTS: Obesity and overweight were associated with the increased risk of severe COVID-19 in all age categories. The RRs (95% CI) for COVID-19 induced respiratory failure compared to the normal weight category were 1.57 (1.31-1.88) for overweight and 2.45 (1.90-3.15) for obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Both obesity and overweight were associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19. This study suggests the importance of the overweight category to predict the risk of severe COVID-19 in Asians.

Longitudinal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of mental disorders in preadolescents and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: School closures and social distancing may have affected mental health among preadolescent and adolescent children, who are in a social developmental stage. Rates of anxiety, depression, and stress have been reported to have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic among teenagers worldwide. However, most studies have measured children's mental health in cross-sectional studies or short-term comparisons before and after lockdowns and school closures, and few studies have tracked the long-term effects on mental health among children and adolescents, despite the pandemic lasting more than 2 years. METHODS: An interrupted time-series analysis was performed for longitudinal changes in the monthly number of new mental disorders (eating disorders, schizophrenia, mood disorders, and somatoform disorders). Using a nationwide multicenter electronic health records database in Japan, we analyzed data of patients aged 9 to 18 years from 45 facilities that provided complete data throughout the study period. The study period covered January 2017 to May 2021, defining a national school closure as an intervention event. We modeled the monthly new diagnoses of each mental disorder using a segmented Poisson regression model. RESULTS: The number of new diagnoses throughout the study period was 362 for eating disorders, 1104 for schizophrenia, 926 for mood disorders, and 1836 for somatoform disorders. The slope of the regression line in monthly number of new diagnoses increased in the post-pandemic period for all targeted mental disorders (change in slope for eating disorders 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.11; schizophrenia 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07; mood disorders 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07; and somatoform disorders 1.04 95% CI 1.02-1.07). The number of new diagnoses for schizophrenia and mood disorders increased early after school closure; while eating disorders showed an increasing trend several months later. Somatoform disorders showed a decreasing trend followed by an increasing trend. Time trends by sex and age also differed for each mental disorder. CONCLUSIONS: In the post-pandemic period, the number of new cases increased over time for eating disorders, schizophrenia, mood disorders, and somatoform disorders. The timing of increase and trends by sex and age differed for each mental disorder.

Breastfeeding at 6 months of age had a positive impact on overweight and obesity in Japanese adolescents at 15 years of age.

AIM: A number of studies have indicated the potential benefits that breastfeeding has on reducing childhood obesity, but few studies have evaluated the effect on adolescent obesity. We examined the association between breastfeeding and overweight or obesity at 15 years of age using data from a large nationwide longitudinal study launched by the Japanese Government in 2001. METHODS: We analysed data for 26 164 participants with known infant feeding practices at 6 months of age, namely the duration of breastfeeding or formula feeding. Overweight or obesity at 15 years of age were calculated based on the subject's self-reported height and weight. Multinomial logistic regression analysis adjusted the data for child factors, namely sex, siblings, birth weight and physical activity clubs and the maternal factors of age, educational attainment and smoking status. RESULTS: Formula feeding was associated with an increased risk of overweight or obesity at 15 years of age. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.99 (0.89-1.09) for partial breastfeeding and 1.23 (1.02-1.48) for formula feeding, when exclusive breastfeeding was the reference category. CONCLUSION: Breastfeeding during infancy had potential benefits for overweight or obesity among 15-year-old adolescents. Our results provide further evidence of the importance of breastfeeding.

Adverse reactions in young children receiving the coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine.

BACKGROUND: We sought to investigate the occurrence of adverse reactions in Japanese children aged 6 months to 4 years who received the BNT162b2 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, to examine parental considerations, and to evaluate potential risk factors associated with post-vaccination fever. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey study targeted 1617 children aged 6 months to 4 years who received their primary doses of BNT162b2 from November 10, 2022, to April 30, 2023, in Okayama Prefecture. We surveyed the occurrence of local and systemic reactions within 1 week after vaccination, and described the incidence proportions of adverse reactions for 515 participants overall and by age group. The study also examined the impact of previous COVID-19 infection and co-administration of the seasonal influenza vaccine on post-vaccination fever. A survey also assessed parents' reasons for vaccinating their children and the sources of information they used. RESULTS: Adverse reactions were infrequent (5.2%, with fever ≥37.5°C; no cases exceeded 39°C) and did not increase with vaccine doses administered. The risk of post-vaccination fever was not statistically associated with a history of COVID-19-the adjusted risk ratio (aRR) was 0.99, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.41-2.39-but was associated with co-administration of the seasonal influenza vaccine (aRR 3.24, 95% CI 1.14-9.18). Parental decisions regarding vaccination were influenced by official government guidelines and primary care physicians' opinion. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insight into the safety profile of the BNT162b2 vaccine in Japanese children aged 6 months to 4 years. Further research involving larger cohorts and appropriate control groups is needed.

Childcare and Child Development in Japan.

For decades, the notion has persisted in developed countries that exclusive care by the mothers is best for the development of children up to 3 years of age. To examine the veracity of this "myth of the first three years" in Japan, we examined the effects of childcare facility use for children younger than 3 years on their development using the cohorts of the Longitudinal Survey of Newborns in the 21st Century conducted in Japan. Of the 47,015 respondents to the survey, we studied the children of 5,508 mothers with university/professional education to evaluate the relationships between primary early (< 2.5 years) childcare providers during weekday daytime hours and specific development indices for the ages of 2.5, 5.5, and 8 years. At the age of 2.5 and 5.5 years, children attending childcare facilities were judged as having more advanced developmental behaviors by their parents, such as being able to compose a two-word sentence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.22) or to express emotions (aOR: 0.81), compared with those cared for by mothers. However, at the age of 8 years, children who attended childcare facilities as infants < 2.5 years showed more aggressive behavior in interrupting people (aOR: 1.20) and causing disturbances in public (aOR: 1.26) than those cared for by mothers (after adjustment for numerous child and parental factors). Although these results are generally consistent with previous studies, issues potentially involved with problem behavior such as quality of childcare require further investigation, as does the case of children of mothers with more modest educational attainment.

Participation in the Setouchi Triennale and the Health of Residents in Naoshima: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Arts festivals have become increasingly popular in various parts of Japan in recent years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between arts festival activities participation at the Setouchi Triennale and the health of residents in the town of Naoshima. This was a cross-sectional study. Questionnaires were distributed to all residents of Naoshima who were 20 years old or older (n=2,588). We analyzed responses from 708 people. The associations between arts festival activities participation and health (measured by self-rated health) were analyzed using logistic regression analysis as the primary outcome. Kessler's psychological distress scale scores were also analyzed in the same manner as the primary outcome. The participating group had an adjusted odds ratio of 1.86 (95% confidence interval: 1.03-3.33) for higher self-rated health compared with those who did not participate. Kessler's psychological distress scale results showed that the participating group had an adjusted odds ratio of 3.23 (95% confidence interval: 1.19-8.81) for lower psychological distress compared with those who did not participate. In conclusion, arts festival activities participation was associated with higher self-rated health and lower psychological distress. However, caution must be taken in regard to generalizability and causality when interpreting these results.

Does Participation in the Setouchi Triennale Foster Social Capital? : A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study examined whether participation in an art project was associated with higher social capital (SC). We conducted a questionnaire survey from November 2021 to March 2022 among residents aged 20 years or older of Naoshima, an island in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. Before the survey, the Setouchi Triennale had been held on Naoshima four times, starting in 2010. We calculated propensity scores for Triennale participation and performed propensity score matching. We then compared cognitive and structural SC by Triennale participation and found significant differences, respectively. We adopted a conditional ordered logistic regression analysis with propensity score matching for cognitive or structural SC, and found adjusted odd ratios of 2.913 (95%CI, 1.846-4.596) for cognitive SC and 4.535 (95%CI, 2.839-7.244) for structural SC. Our findings suggest that Triennale participation enhanced the cognitive aspect of SC while also building structural SC.

Review of a Series of Surveys on Adverse Reactions to the COVID-19 mRNA-1273 Vaccine at Okayama University.

This paper presents the results of a series of surveys conducted from July 2021 to March 2023 to investigate the post-vaccination adverse reactions to the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine among faculty, staff, and students at Okayama University. These studies complement the official surveys conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and provide a more representative picture of adverse reactions in the general population including large numbers of healthy young people. Pain, swelling, redness at the injection site, fever, headache, and malaise were the main adverse reactions reported. The proportion of adverse reactions was generally higher after the second vaccination and decreased with each additional vaccination. No statistically significant differences in the adverse reactions were found for males and females and those with/without a history of allergy, but a lower proportion of fever was observed in older participants and those with underlying medical conditions. We also evaluated the association between adverse reactions and antibody titers after the third vaccination and found no significant differences in antibody levels one month after vaccination. This series of studies highlights the importance of conducting surveys in diverse populations to provide a more representative picture of post-vaccination adverse reactions during a pandemic.