We have developed a simple method for converting the lipid envelope of an inactivated virus to a gene transfer vector. Hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ; Sendai virus) envelope vector was constructed by incorporating plasmid DNA into inactivated HVJ particles. This HVJ envelope vector introduced plasmid DNA efficiently and rapidly into various cell lines, including cancer cells and several types of primary cell culture. Efficiency of gene transfer was greatly enhanced by protamine sulfate and centrifugation. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled oligodeoxynucleotides (FITC-ODN) were also delivered to cells at > 95% efficiency. When HVJ envelope vector was injected into organs directly, reporter gene expression was observed in organs including liver, brain, skin, uterus, tumor masses, lung, and eye. When HVJ envelope vector containing luciferase gene was injected into mouse tail vein, luciferase gene expression was detected primarily in spleen. FITC-ODN were also delivered to spleen cells by intravenous injection of HVJ envelope. These results suggest that HVJ envelope vector will be useful for both ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy experiments.

This study examined the psychological distress caused by non-coercive lockdown (mild lockdown) in Japan. An online survey was conducted with 11,333 people (52.4% females; mean age = 46.3 ± 14.6 years, range = 18–89 years) during the mild lockdown in the seven prefectures most affected by COVID-19 infection. Over one-third (36.6%) of participants experienced mild-to-moderate psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K6] score 5–12), while 11.5% reported serious psychological distress (K6 score ≥ 13). The estimated prevalence of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥ 10) was 17.9%. Regarding the distribution of K6 scores, the proportion of those with psychological distress in this study was significantly higher when compared with the previous national survey data from 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019. Healthcare workers, those with a history of treatment for mental illness, and younger participants (aged 18–19 or 20–39 years) showed particularly high levels of psychological distress. Psychological distress severity was influenced by specific interactional structures of risk factors: high loneliness, poor interpersonal relationships, COVID-19-related sleeplessness and anxiety, deterioration of household economy, and work and academic difficulties. Even when non-coercive lockdowns are implemented, people’s mental health should be considered, and policies to prevent mental health deterioration are needed. Cross-disciplinary public–private sector efforts tailored to each individual’s problem structure are important to address the mental health issues arising from lockdown.

This study examined the psychological distress caused by non-coercive lockdown (mild lockdown) in Japan. An online survey was conducted with 11,333 people (52.4% women; mean age = 46.3 ± 14.6 years, range = 18-89 years) during the mild lockdown in the seven prefectures most affected by COVID-19 infection. Over one-third (36.6%) of participants experienced mild-to-moderate psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K6] score 5-12), while 11.5% reported serious psychological distress (K6 score ≥ 13). The estimated prevalence of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥ 10) was 17.9%. Regarding the distribution of K6 scores, the proportion of those with psychological distress in this study was significantly higher when compared with the previous national survey data from 2010, 2013, and 2016. Healthcare workers, those with a history of treatment for mental illness, and younger participants (aged 18-19 or 20-39 years) were particularly vulnerable. Psychological distress severity was influenced by specific interactional structures of risk factors: high loneliness, poor interpersonal relationships, COVID-19-related sleeplessness and anxiety, deterioration of household economy, and work and academic difficulties. Flexible approaches that are optimised for the difficulties specific to each individual through cross-disciplinary public-private initiatives are important to combat lockdown-induced mental health problems.

Effects of the antiparasitic drug moxidectin were studied in laboratory and field experiments in Hokkaido, Japan by pour-on administrations (500 mg/kg) on a target pest Haematobia irritans Linnaeus, nontarget coprophagous flies represented by Neomyia cornicina (Fabricius), and the dung beetle Caccobius jessoensis Harold. The concentration of moxidectin excreted into cattle dung was maximum at 3 days post-treatment both in the first and second trials, and then it diminished. No moxidectin was detected on or after day 21 post-treatment in the first trial, and on or after day 28 post-treatment in the second trial. Larval development of H. irritans was hampered from 1 to 7 days post-treatment. No N. cornicina pupated in dung at days 1 and 3 post-treatment, and pupation and emergence rates were reduced in the dung until 7 days post-treatment. There were no significant differences in numbers and weight of brood balls constructed by Caccobius jessoensis in dung from treated and control cattle. Adult emergence rates of C. jessoensis on days 1, 3, 7, 14 post-treatments were not significantly different between control and treated groups, and more than 90% of adult emergence rates were demonstrated in both groups. In the field study using emergence traps, 3,433 (18 families) flies emerged from dung from untreated control cattle and 1,667 (16 families) flies emerged from dung from treated cattle. Notably, the number of Sciaridae spp. (first Experiment) and Sepsis latiforceps Duda and Sphaeroceridae spp. (second Experiment) significantly decreased in dung pats of treated cattle. From 48 dung pats in the field experiments, total dry weight of major coprophagous flies that emerged was 1,741.8 mg in dung from control cattle and 1,170.0 mg in dung from treated cattle, showing 32.8% reduction in treated dung. Emergence rates of C. jessoensis from brood balls recovered from soil beneath dung pats in the field experiments were not significantly different between dung from control and treated cattle on each sampling day (1, 7, 14, and 21 days) post-treatment.

To deter the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many countries have imposed a lockdown with restrictions. On 7 April 2020, the Japanese government declared a state of emergency over the COVID-19 outbreak. Japan was in “mild lockdown” which was not enforceable and non-punitive with the declaration. We conducted an online survey to investigate factors associated with psychological distress in the “mild lockdown” under a declared state of emergency for COVID-19. We collected data on 11,333 inhabitants (52.4% women, 46.3 ± 14.6 years) living in the seven prefectures where the declaration was first applied. The investigation dates of this study, 11 and 12 May 2020, were in the final phase of the state of emergency. The survey was conducted in real-time to minimize participants’ recall bias. In addition to psychological inventories often used worldwide, the questionnaires used in this survey included lifestyle and stress management items related to COVID-19 and various socio-demographic items including occupation (e.g. healthcare worker) or income.