Picosecond Trajectory of Two-Dimensional Vortex Motion in FeSe_{0.5}Te_{0.5} Visualized by Terahertz Second Harmonic Generation.

We have investigated the vortex dynamics in a thin film of an iron-based superconductor FeSe_{0.5}Te_{0.5} by observing second-harmonic generation (SHG) in the terahertz frequency range.

Identification and Analysis of Monoclonal Antibodies with Neutralizing Activity against Diverse SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

We identified neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants (including Omicron variants BA.5 and BA.2.

Cross-Neutralizing Activity Against Omicron Could Be Obtained in SARS-CoV-2 Convalescent Patients Who Received Two Doses of mRNA Vaccination.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant omicron is now under investigation. We evaluated cross-neutralizing activity against omicron in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent patients (n = 23) who had received 2 doses of an mRNA vaccination (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273). Intriguingly, after the second vaccination, the neutralizing antibody titers of subjects against SARS-CoV-2 variants, including omicron, all became seropositive, and significant fold-increases (21.

Cross-Neutralizing Breadth and Longevity Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants After Infections.

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The emergence of variants of concern (VOCs) has become one of the most pressing issues in public health. To control VOCs, it is important to know which COVID-19 convalescent sera have cross-neutralizing activity against VOCs and how long the sera maintain this protective activity.

A Classroom-Based Study on the Antecedents of Epistemic Curiosity in L2 Learning.

This classroom-based study investigated the antecedents of epistemic curiosity among 25 Thai university students in an English oral communication course. Using a whole-class survey and focus group interview, we recursively asked the students to describe a time in class when they experienced epistemic curiosity and the reasons behind it. A modified version of constant comparative analysis suggested seven thematic factors as the antecedents of epistemic curiosity and positive affect linked to its experience.

Analysis of thyroid function in Japanese patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

Thyroid dysfunction that is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is becoming increasingly recognized. However, only a few reports in Japan have addressed this issue to date. In this study, we sought to clarify whether infection with SARS-CoV-2 affected thyroid hormone levels and whether these hormones could be better predictors of prognosis in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Cross-Neutralizing Activity Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants in COVID-19 Patients: Comparison of 4 Waves of the Pandemic in Japan.

Background: As of March 2021, Japan is facing a fourth wave of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. To prevent further spread of infection, sera cross-neutralizing activity of patients previously infected with conventional SARS-CoV-2 against novel variants is important but has not been firmly established.

Methods: We investigated the neutralizing potency of 81 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients' sera from the first to fourth waves of the pandemic against SARS-CoV-2 D614G, B.

Correlation between estimated plasma remnant-like particle cholesterol and vegetable fat intake in Uku town, Japan.

Background: Remnant-like particle cholesterol (RLP-C) is highly atherogenic, which is associated with atherosclerosis. However, RLP-C has not been routinely measured in the clinical practice. We estimated RLP-C levels using conventional lipid profiles and examined the association between estimated RLP-C and related factors including nutrient intake.

Lower albumin levels are associated with frailty measures, trace elements, and an inflammation marker in a cross-sectional study in Tanushimaru.

Background: There is little data on the association between the lower nutrition represented by serum albumin levels and related factors in a general population. The present study aimed to determine whether the albumin level positioned as some kind of biomarker with frailty measures, trace elements, and an inflammation marker.

Methods: In 2018, we performed an epidemiological survey in 1368 subjects who resided in Tanushimaru, Japan, in which we examined the blood chemistry including albumin, trace elements, hormone levels, and carotid ultrasonography.

Nonreciprocal Terahertz Second-Harmonic Generation in Superconducting NbN under Supercurrent Injection.

Giant second-harmonic generation in the terahertz (THz) frequency range is observed in a thin film of an s-wave superconductor NbN, where the time-reversal (T) and space-inversion (P) symmetries are simultaneously broken by supercurrent injection. We demonstrate that the phase of the second-harmonic signal flips when the direction of supercurrent is inverted; i.e.

Serum Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) is Independently Associated with Insulin Resistance, Triglycerides, Lipoprotein(a) Levels but not Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in a General Population.

Aim: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been identified as an important regulator of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor processing. Evolocumab and alirocumab are PCSK9 inhibitors; however, little is known about the association between PCSK9 levels and lipid profiles in a general population. Because PCSK9 inhibitors have LDL-C lowering effects, we investigated whether there is a positive correlation between serum PCSK9 levels and LDL-C or lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)].

Association between growth hormone and hypertension in a general population.

Insulin-like growth factors are polypeptides, with arrays similar to insulin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is secreted via stimulation by growth hormone (GH) in the liver. The lack of both GH and IGF-1 leads to physiological age-related changes in the cardiovascular system; however, the role of IGF-1 and GH in hypertension has not been fully elucidated. Thus, we examined the association between plasma IGF-1 and GH levels and hypertension.

Trends in nutritional intake and coronary risk factors over 60 years among Japanese men in Tanushimaru.

We investigated the relationship between time trends in nutrient intake and coronary risk factors/mortality rates in Tanushimaru, a Japanese cohort of the Seven Countries Study. All men between the ages of 40 and 64 were enrolled. Subjects numbered 628 in 1958, 539 in 1977, 602 in 1982, 752 in 1989, 402 in 1999, 329 in 2009, and 160 in 2018.

Infrared Activation of the Higgs Mode by Supercurrent Injection in Superconducting NbN.

The Higgs mode in superconductors, i.e., the collective amplitude mode of the order parameter, does not associate with charge nor spin fluctuations, therefore it does not couple to the electromagnetic field in the linear response regime.

Habitual coffee intake reduces all-cause mortality by decreasing heart rate.

It is well known that subjects with metabolic syndrome show an elevated resting heart rate. We previously reported that elevated heart rate was significantly related to all-cause mortality, and that coffee consumption was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized that higher coffee consumption may decrease all-cause mortality by reducing resting heart rate.

Association between physical activity, occupational sitting time and mortality in a general population: An 18-year prospective survey in Tanushimaru, Japan.

Aims: It is well known that a decline in physical activity is associated with an increase of all-cause death including cardiovascular events and cancer. Few studies have examined the association between occupational sitting time and mortality. Therefore, we investigated this issue in a general population.

Health risks and precautions for visitors to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Background: In 2020, Japan will host the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020 (Tokyo 2020) which will involve a large population influx from various countries to Tokyo, the most populated city in Japan. We summarize the potential health risks for visitors to Tokyo 2020, related to communicable disease risks and other health threats, based on recent national and local surveillance reports.

Methods: We reviewed up-to-date surveillance reports published by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Tokyo Metropolitan Infectious Disease Surveillance Center.

Twenty-four-Hour Urinary Potassium Excretion, But Not Sodium Excretion, Is Associated With All-Cause Mortality in a General Population.

Background: Few studies have examined the relationship between accurate monitoring of sodium or potassium consumption and mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between 24-hour urinary sodium or potassium excretion and ≈30-year mortality in a Japanese population using 24-hour urine collection.

Methods And Results: We enrolled a total of 1291 participants, aged 21 to 85 years, who underwent health checkups, including a blood test and 24-hour urine collection.

Impact of cystatin C and microalbuminuria on cognitive impairment in the population of community-dwelling Japanese.

Background And Aims: Cognitive impairment is an important element affecting our well-being, and as such, early diagnosis is critical today. We investigated whether serum cystatin C and microalbuminuria are associated with cognitive impairment.

Methods: A total of 1943 subjects (774 males, 1169 females, mean age 65.

Elevated Plasma Transforming Growth Factor β1 Levels Predict the Development of Hypertension in Normotensives: The 14-Year Follow-Up Study.

Background: Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a multifunctional cytokine. There is growing evidence that TGF-β1 is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension and the development of target organ damage in hypertensives. Although several studies have shown that TGF-β1 induced vascular hypertrophy and remodelling in various vascular diseases, there are no longitudinal data on hypertension in the epidemiological studies.