One-year follow-up of the immunogenicity and safety of a primary series of the NVX-CoV2373 (TAK-019) vaccine in healthy Japanese adults: Final report of a phase I/II randomized controlled trial.

Background: In the interim report of this phase I/II randomized, placebo-controlled trial in Japanese adults, a two-dose primary series of NVX-CoV2373 (5 µg SARS-CoV-2 recombinant nanoparticle spike protein [rS]; 50 µg Matrix-M) administered 21 days apart induced robust anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune responses up to day 50 and had an acceptable safety profile.

Methods: Following the double-blind phase of this study (day 1-50), participants were informed about their assignment to NVX-CoV2373 or placebo, and their reconsent was required for continuation in the open-label phase (day 51-387). This final report evaluated immunogenicity on days 202 and 387, and safety findings from the 1-year follow-up.

Immunogenicity and safety of a second heterologous booster dose of NVX-CoV2373 (TAK-019) in healthy Japanese adults who had previously received a primary series of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine: Interim analysis report of a phase 3 open-label trial.

Background: The phase 3, single-arm, open-label TAK-019-3001 study assessed two heterologous booster doses of NVX-CoV2373 administered 5 months apart in healthy Japanese adults who had completed a primary series of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine 6-12 months previously. In the main part of this study, a first booster induced rapid and robust anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune responses, addressing waning immunity in participants.

Methods: This interim analysis evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of a second booster in the extension part of this study including comparisons with the first booster.

Immunogenicity and safety of a single booster dose of NVX-CoV2373 (TAK-019) in healthy Japanese adults who had previously received a primary series of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine: Primary analysis report of a phase 3 open-label trial.

Background: We evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of a booster dose of NVX-CoV2373 in Japanese adults who had completed a primary series of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine 6-12 months previously.

Methods: This single-arm, open-label, phase 3 study, conducted at two Japanese centres, enrolled healthy adults ≥ 20 years old. Participants received a booster dose of NVX-CoV2373.

Safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373 (TAK-019) vaccine in healthy Japanese adults: Interim report of a phase I/II randomized controlled trial.

Background: We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373, a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 nanoparticle vaccine, in healthy Japanese participants.

Methods: This phase 1/2, randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in Japan (two sites), enrolled healthy Japanese adults aged ≥ 20 years with no history/risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and no prior exposure to other approved/investigational SARS-CoV-2 vaccines or treatments. Participants were stratified by age (< 65 or ≥ 65 years) and randomized to receive two doses of either NVX-CoV2373 (5 μg SARS-CoV-2 rS; 50 μg Matrix-M1) or placebo, 21 days apart.

A phase 1/2 randomised placebo-controlled study of the COVID-19 vaccine mRNA-1273 in healthy Japanese adults: An interim report.

Introduction: The mRNA vaccine, mRNA-1273/TAK-919, encodes the prefusion-stabilised spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We report interim results of the first study evaluating safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-1273 in healthy Japanese participants.

Methods: This phase 1/2, randomised, observer-blind, placebo-controlled trial, conducted in Japan (two sites), enrolled healthy adults aged ≥ 20 years with no prior exposure to investigational coronavirus vaccines/treatments, and no known history/risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Chromosome-scale haplotype-phased genome assemblies of the male and female lines of wild asparagus (Asparagus kiusianus), a dioecious plant species.

Asparagus kiusianus is a disease-resistant dioecious plant species and a wild relative of garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis). To enhance A. kiusianus genomic resources, advance plant science, and facilitate asparagus breeding, we determined the genome sequences of the male and female lines of A.

Mothers' experiences of parenting a child with chromosomal structural abnormalities: The journey to acceptance.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the process mothers go through in coming to terms with raising a child with chromosomal structural abnormalities.

Methods: Sixteen mothers living in Japan were interviewed and a modified grounded theory approach was used for the analysis.

Results: A total of 35 concepts, nine subcategories, and six categories were extracted.

Comparative Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses of Susceptible Asparagus officinalis and Resistant Wild A. kiusianus Reveal Insights into Stem Blight Disease Resistance.

Phomopsis asparagi is one of the most serious fungal pathogens, which causes stem blight disease in Asparagus officinalis (AO), adversely affecting its production worldwide. Recently, the development of novel asparagus varieties using wild Asparagus genetic resources with natural P. asparagi resistance has become a priority in Japan due to the lack of resistant commercial AO cultivars.

Developing competencies in genetics nursing: Education intervention for perinatal and pediatric nurses.

Nurses need to be appropriately trained in genetics to provide clinical care based on best practice for patients and families. This exploratory study describes an educational intervention using authentic stimulus material centered on a clinical case study of a family with a baby with Down syndrome. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from a sample of 15 nurses and 27 students from three universities in Japan before and after completing an entry-level workshop on competency-based genetics nursing.

Differential gene expression analysis and SNP/InDel marker discovery in resistant wild and susceptible in response to infection.

This data article reports transcriptome analysis of resistant wild and susceptible plants 24 and 48 h post-inoculation (24 and 48 hpi) with . Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis demonstrated that several genes involved in secondary metabolites and plant-pathogen interactions are up-regulated in resistant wild relative to susceptible . The assembled contig sequences generated in this study were used to search single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and insertion/deletion (InDel) distribution in and plants.

Comparative de novo transcriptome profiles in Asparagus officinalis and A. kiusianus during the early stage of Phomopsis asparagi infection.

Asparagus kiusianus, an important wild relative of cultivated asparagus (A. officinalis), exhibits resistance to stem blight disease caused by Phomopsis asparagi. However, the mechanisms underlying this resistance are not understood and no transcriptomic or genetic resources are available for this species.

Health beliefs and their sources in Korean and Japanese nurses: A Q-methodology pilot study.

Background: Many health beliefs do not have supporting scientific evidence, and are influenced by culture, gender, religion, social circumstance and popular media. Nurses may also hold non-evidenced-based beliefs that affect their own health behaviours and their practices.

Objectives: Using Q-methodology, pilot Q-cards representing a concourse of health beliefs for Japanese and South Korean nurses and explain the content and sources of health beliefs.

Experiences regarding maternal age-specific risks and prenatal testing of women of advanced maternal age in Japan.

The number of pregnant women of advanced maternal age has increased worldwide. Women in this group have an increased chance of fetal abnormality. To explore Japanese women's experiences regarding maternal age-specific risks and prenatal testing, we conducted a descriptive qualitative study.

Japanese women's attitudes towards routine ultrasound screening during pregnancy.

Because there are few published studies from Eastern countries concerning women's experiences of prenatal ultrasound scans, this study investigated this topic in 238 Japanese women in three different prenatal settings. A cross-sectional questionnaire of 33 items was administered to 261 women at 14-37 weeks gestation with no known obstetrical risk, after their ultrasounds. The main reasons for the ultrasounds were evaluation of fetal growth (100%, n = 238); obstetrical conditions (n = 228, 96%); and fetal abnormalities (91%, n = 217).

Genetic competence of midwives in the UK and Japan.

In the UK and Japan, midwives provide health services for women with concerns about a genetic condition or who are considering antenatal screening. In both countries, competences related to genetic health care have been devised but there is little evidence about midwifery competence in practice. A systematic literature review was undertaken to determine the extent to which midwives are achieving the genetic competences that are prescribed for their practice.

E6AP ubiquitin ligase mediates ubiquitin-dependent degradation of peroxiredoxin 1.

E6-associated protein (E6AP) is a cellular ubiquitin protein ligase that mediates ubiquitylation and degradation of tumor suppressor p53 in conjunction with the high-risk human papillomavirus E6 protein. We previously reported that E6AP targets annexin A1 protein for ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation. To gain a better understanding of the physiological function of E6AP, we have been seeking to identify novel substrates of E6AP.

Enhanced expression of lymphomagenesis-related genes in peripheral blood B cells of chronic hepatitis C patients.

Epidemiological data indicate a close relationship between chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL), suggesting that chronic HCV infection is, at least in part, associated with B-lymphomagenesis. However, experimental data concerning these conditions remains elusive. In this study, we confirmed that peripheral blood B cells of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients were infected with HCV.

Liminality in language use: some thoughts on interactional analysis from a dialogical perspective.

This essay traces my engagement with Michèle Grossen's ideas of a dialogical perspective on interaction analysis (Grossen Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 1-22, 2009) and highlights a process account of self in interaction. Firstly I draw on Turner's concept of liminality with respect to the transformative, temporal significance in interaction. Secondly I explored further the conversation analytic concepts such as formulation and reformulation as a viable analytical tool for a dialogical perspective.

Identification of hepatitis C virus genotype 2a replicon variants with reduced susceptibility to ribavirin.

Ribavirin (RBV), a nucleoside analogue, is used in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in combination with interferons. However, potential mechanisms of RBV resistance during HCV replication remain poorly understood. Serial passage of cells harboring HCV genotype 2a replicon in the presence of RBV resulted in the reduced susceptibility of the replicon to RBV.

Nursing scholarship in Japan: development, facilitators, and barriers.

This qualitative study sought a contemporary view of the development, facilitators of, and barriers to nursing scholarship in Japan from the perspectives of the scholars. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 scholars across Japan, which were digitally recorded, and the data were subjected to content analysis. Five themes emerged: a spirit of collectivism; a lack of nursing control; a lack of English ability; a high workload; and collaboration.

Involvement of creatine kinase B in hepatitis C virus genome replication through interaction with the viral NS4A protein.

Persistent infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver diseases. The aim of this study was to identify host cell factor(s) participating in the HCV replication complex (RC) and to clarify the regulatory mechanisms of viral genome replication dependent on the host-derived factor(s) identified. By comparative proteome analysis of RC-rich membrane fractions and subsequent gene silencing mediated by RNA interference, we identified several candidates for RC components involved in HCV replication.

Identification of annexin A1 as a novel substrate for E6AP-mediated ubiquitylation.

E6-associated protein (E6AP) is a cellular ubiquitin protein ligase that mediates ubiquitylation and degradation of p53 in conjunction with the high-risk human papillomavirus E6 proteins. However, the physiological functions of E6AP are poorly understood. To identify a novel biological function of E6AP, we screened for binding partners of E6AP using GST pull-down and mass spectrometry.