We present extensively dense observations of the super-Chandrasekhar supernova (SC SN) candidate SN 2012dn from \(-11\) to \(+140\) days after the date of its \(B\)-band maximum in the optical and ...near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths conducted through the OISTER ToO program. The NIR light curves and color evolutions up to 35 days after the \(B\)-band maximum provided an excellent match with those of another SC SN 2009dc, providing a further support to the nature of SN 2012dn as a SC SN. We found that SN 2012dn exhibited strong excesses in the NIR wavelengths from \(30\) days after the \(B\)-band maximum. The \(H\) and \(K_{s}\)-band light curves exhibited much later maximum dates at \(40\) and \(70\) days after the \(B\)-band maximum, respectively, compared with those of normal SNe Ia. The \(H\) and \(K_{s}\)-band light curves subtracted by those of SN 2009dc displayed plateaued evolutions, indicating a NIR echo from the surrounding dust. The distance to the inner boundary of the dust shell is limited to be \(4.8 - 6.4\times10^{-2}\) pc. No emission lines were found in its early phase spectrum, suggesting that the ejecta-CSM interaction could not occur. On the other hand, we found no signature that strongly supports the scenario of dust formation. The mass loss rate of the pre-explosion system is estimated to be \(10^{-6}-10^{-5}\) M\(_{\odot}\) yr\(^{-1}\), assuming that the wind velocity of the system is \(10-100\) km~s\(^{-1}\), which suggests that the progenitor of SN 2012dn could be a recurrent nova system. We conclude that the progenitor of this SC SN could be explained by the single-degenerate scenario.
We observed RZ LMi, which is renowned for the extremely (~19d) short supercycle and is a member of a small, unusual class of cataclysmic variables called ER UMa-type dwarf novae, in 2013 and 2016. In ...2016, the supercycles of this object substantially lengthened in comparison to the previous measurements to 35, 32, 60d for three consecutive superoutbursts. We consider that the object virtually experienced a transition to the novalike state (permanent superhumper). This observed behavior extremely well reproduced the prediction of the thermal-tidal instability model. We detected a precursor in the 2016 superoutburst and detected growing (stage A) superhumps with a mean period of 0.0602(1)d in 2016 and in 2013. Combined with the period of superhumps immediately after the superoutburst, the mass ratio is not as small as in WZ Sge-type dwarf novae, having orbital periods similar to RZ LMi. By using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) two-dimensional power spectra, we detected possible negative superhumps with a period of 0.05710(1)d. We estimated the orbital period of 0.05792d, which suggests a mass ratio of 0.105(5). This relatively large mass ratio is even above ordinary SU UMa-type dwarf novae, and it is also possible that the exceptionally high mass-transfer rate in RZ LMi may be a result of a stripped core evolved secondary which are evolving toward an AM CVn-type object.
We report photometric and spectroscopic observations of the nearby Type Ia Supernova (SN Ia) 2012ht from \(-15.8\) days to \(+49.1\) days after \(B\)-band maximum. The decline rate of the light curve ...is \(\Delta m_{15}\)(\(B\))\(=1.39~\pm~0.05\) mag, which is intermediate between normal and subluminous SNe Ia, and similar to that of the `transitional' Type Ia SN 2004eo. The spectral line profiles also closely resemble those of SN 2004eo. We were able to observe SN 2012ht at very early phase, when it was still rising and was about three magnitudes fainter than at the peak. The rise time to the \(B\)-band maximum is estimated to be \(17.6 \pm 0.5\) days and the time of the explosion is MJD \(56277.98 \pm 0.13\). SN 2012ht is the first transitional SN Ia whose rise time is directly measured without using light curve templates, and the fifth SN Ia overall. This rise time is consistent with those of the other four SNe within the measurement error, even including the extremely early detection of SN 2013dy. The rising part of the light curve can be fitted by a quadratic function, and shows no sign of a shock-heating component due to the interaction of the ejecta with a companion star. The rise time is significantly longer than that inferred for subluminous SNe such as SN 1991bg, which suggests that a progenitor and/or explosion mechanism of transitional SNe Ia are more similar to normal SNe Ia rather than subluminous SNe Ia.
We carried out the photometric observations of the SU UMa-type dwarf nova ER UMa during 2011 and 2012, which showed the existence of persistent negative superhumps even during the superoutburst. We ...performed two-dimensional period analysis of its light curves by using a method called "least absolute shrinkage and selection operator" (Lasso) and "phase dispersion minimization" (PDM) analysis, and we found that the period of negative superhumps systematically changed between a superoutburst and the next superoutburst. The trend of the period change can beinterpreted as reflecting the change of the disk radius. This change of the disk radius is in good agreement with the predicted change of the disk radius by the thermal-tidal instability (TTI) model. The normal outbursts within a supercycle showed a general trend that the rising rate to maximum becomes slower as the next superoutburst approaches. The change can be interpreted as the consequence of the increased gas-stream flow onto the inner region of the disk as the result of the tilted disk. Some of the superoutbursts were found to be triggered by a precursor normal outburst when the positive superhumps appeared to develop. The positive and negative superhumps co-existed during the superoutburst. The positive superhumps were prominent only during four or five days after the supermaximum, while the signal of the negative superhumps became strong after the middle phase of the superoutburst plateau. A simple combination of the positive and negative superhumps was found to be insufficient in reproducing the complex profile variation. We were able to detect the developing phase of positive superhumps (stage A superhumps) for the first time in ER UMa-type dwarf novae. Using the period of stage A superhumps, we obtained a mass ratio of 0.100(15), which indicates that ER UMa is on the ordinary evolutional track of CVs.
This study investigated the potential link between early childhood allergic diseases and neurodevelopmental milestone attainment during the first 3 years of life. Utilizing data from a large-scale ...prospective birth cohort study in Japan, encompassing 87,986 children, we examined physician-diagnosed and caregiver-reported allergic conditions, including atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and food allergy (FA). Neurodevelopmental milestones were assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires at 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 years of age. Stabilized inverse probability-weighted generalized estimating equation models were employed to estimate odds ratios (ORs). Our analysis revealed no significant association of AD and asthma with delay in communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social skills during the initial 3 years of life. However, children with FA showed an increased likelihood of experiencing gross motor delay compared with that shown by those without FA (weighted adjusted OR: 1.14). Despite this, no significant association of FA with other developmental domains was observed. Early childhood allergies may not influence neurodevelopmental delays. However, there is a potential association between FA and delays, specifically in gross motor skills, that warrants routine developmental monitoring and additional investigations.
ABSTRACT Background Oxytocin has a key role in mother-infant bonding, maternal care, social interaction, and stress-related psychiatric disorders. However, the factors determining oxytocin ...concentrations during and after pregnancy such as medical history related to nursing or parental behavior are unknown. To elucidate these, we analyzed the relationships between oxytocin concentrations during and after pregnancy, and medical history assessed in the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS). Methods We then selected the pregnant women with a medical history of anxiety disorder and endometriosis as cases and pregnant women without medical history as controls adjusting the cohort for age and parity for a nested case-control study, after which 162 women remained for analysis. We evaluated 162 pregnant women from JECS using answers provided in a questionnaire and by measuring plasma oxytocin concentration by ELISA during the first (T1) and second (T2) trimesters of pregnancy, and after childbirth (T3). Results Oxytocin concentration increased in a time dependent manner, consistent with previous reports. There were weak negative correlations between oxytocin concentration at T1 and the mother's age and height, but no correlation with other factors. The mean oxytocin concentrations of pregnant women with a history of an anxiety disorder (n = 7) and endometriosis (n = 13) were significantly lower than those of pregnant women with no such history at T2 and T3. Conclusion These results suggest that oxytocin concentrations during and after pregnancy were affected by a past history of anxiety disorder and endometriosis. This is the first study of the relationship between oxytocin concentration and endometriosis. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms, further study is needed.
Background
The association between particulate matter (PM), including desert dust, and allergic symptoms has not been well studied. We examined whether PM exacerbated nose/eye/respiratory symptoms in ...infants, with a focus on the desert dust element, and assessed possible countermeasures.
Methods
We conducted a panel study of 1492 infants from October 2014 to July 2016 in 3 regions in Japan as an adjunct study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Infants’ daily symptom scores and behaviors were acquired by web‐based questionnaires sent to mothers, who answered within a day using mobile phones. Odds ratios (OR) for symptom development per increased fine PM or desert dust exposure were estimated. Regular use of medications and behaviors on the day of exposure were investigated as possible effect modifiers.
Results
Infants developed nose/eye/respiratory symptoms significantly more often in accordance with fine particulate levels (adjusted OR per 10 µg/m3 increase: 1.04, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.01‐1.07). A model including both fine particulates and desert dust showed reduced OR for fine particulates and robust OR for desert dust (adjusted OR per 0.1/km increase: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.09‐1.23). An increased OR was observed both in infants who had previously wheezed and in those who had never wheezed. Receiving information on the particulate forecast, reducing time outdoors, closing windows, and regular use of leukotriene receptor antagonists were significant effect modifiers.
Conclusions
Transborder desert dust arrival increased the risk of nose/eye/respiratory symptoms development in infants. Regular use of leukotriene receptor antagonists and other countermeasures reduced the risk.
This is the first study to clearly demonstrate that desert dust was associated with an increased risk of nose/respiratory symptoms in infants. Reducing outdoor duration on the day and regular use of leukotriene receptor antagonists significantly reduces the risk at the exposure. Other effect modifiers include keeping windows closed and receiving particulate forecast.
Vitamin D has been reported to affect both innate, and acquired immunity with immune cells such as dendritic cells having the vitamin D receptors. The co-occurrence of the high prevalence of allergic ...diseases and vitamin D deficiency globally documented in recent decades, has prompted a hypothesis on whether there is a reasonable association between them.
To investigate the association between serum vitamin D deficiency and allergic symptoms.
Historical cohort. On a cohort study for the association between desert dust exposure and allergic symptoms in 3,327 pregnant women during spring and fall in 2011-2013 in Japan conducted as an adjunct study to the Japan Environment and Children's Study, we promptly acquired subjects' daily allergic symptom scores by sending a web-based questionnaire to each participant on some days. Of the 29,434 answers provided by 3,327 participating pregnant women, we extracted 13,356 answers from 1,475 pregnant women that were answered within a 3-month period after blood samplings. And we measured 25(OH)D levels on those samples to investigate the association between their vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D < 20ng/mL) and the occurrence of any allergic symptom (allergic symptom score> 0) within 3 months.
Serum 25(OH)D was less than 20ng/mL in 1,233 of 1,745 samples (70.7%). The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for occurrence of any allergic symptom in deficient cases compared with non-deficient cases was 1.33 (95% CI: 1.07-1.64, p = 0.01). Further, vitamin D deficiency significantly enhanced the risk increase at desert dust events and at pollen exposure (p-values for interaction <0.1).
We confirmed the association between serum vitamin D deficiency and allergic symptoms in Japanese pregnant women.
The new GII.2 variant collected from May 2012–March 2014 consisted of GII.15 and GII.2 genomes, in which the putative recombination points found in the boundary region between ORF1 and ORF2. These ...findings suggested that the swapping of structural and non-structural proteins is a common mechanism for generating new epidemic variants in nature.
•Detection of atypical norovirus GII.2 cases in 2012–2014 in Japan•Phylogenetic tree with the nearly full genome sequence, ORF1, ORF2, and ORF3 of NoV GII.2•Identification of mosaic genome segments of GII.2 and covariation of the new GII.2 epidemic strains•Recombination between GII.2 and GII.15 leading to atypical GII.2 NoV strains
In Japanese males and females, lung cancer is currently the second and fourth most common type of cancer, and the first and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, respectively.
Of all ...Japanese male and female lung cancer patients aged ≥20 years whom the BioBank Japan Project originally enrolled between 2003 and 2008, 764 males and 415 females were registered within 90 days after their diagnosis. We described the lifestyle and clinical characteristics of these patients at study entry. Furthermore, we examined the effect of these characteristics on all-cause mortality.
In the lung cancer patients registered within 90 days, the frequencies of occult or stage 0, stage I, II, III and IV were 0.4%, 55.8%, 10.8%, 22.0% and 11.0% for males and 0.3%, 62.4%, 9.9%, 17.1% and 10.2% for females, respectively. The proportions of histological types in males and females were 56.3% and 82.4% for adenocarcinoma, 26.9% and 8.2% for squamous cell carcinoma, 4.5% and 1.5% for large cell carcinoma, 7.7% and 4.1% for small cell carcinoma and 4.6% and 3.8% for others, respectively. Among 1120 participants who registered within 90 days, 572 participants died during 5811 person-years of follow-up. Low body mass index, ever smoker, more advanced stage, squamous cell or small cell carcinoma and high serum carcinoembryonic antigen level at study entry were crudely associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality after adjustment for age.
This study showed the association of several lifestyle and clinical characteristics with all-cause mortality in lung cancer patients.
•Nearly one-tenth of Japanese lung cancer patients were diagnosed as stage IV.•Adenocarcinoma was the most common histological type in both males and females.•Some characteristics would affect all-cause mortality in lung cancer patients.
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