Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a common etiological agent of acute lower respiratory tract disease in infants. We report the molecular epidemiology of HRSV in Niigata, Japan, over six successive seasons (from 2001 to 2007) and the emerging genotypes of HRSV subgroup A (HRSV-A) strains. A total of 488 HRSV samples were obtained from 1,103 screened cases in a pediatric clinic in Niigata. According to the phylogenetic analysis, among the PCR-positive samples, 338 HRSV-A strains clustered into the previously reported genotypes GA5 and GA7 and two novel genotypes, NA1 and NA2, which were genetically close to GA2 strains. One hundred fifty HRSV-B strains clustered into three genotypes, namely, GB3, SAB3, and BA, which has a 60-nucleotide insertion in the second hypervariable region of the G protein. The NA1 strains emerged first, in the 2004-2005 season, and subsequently, the NA2 strain emerged in the 2005-2006 season. Both strains caused large epidemics in the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons. The average age of children who were infected with NA2 strains was significantly higher than that of those infected with GA5 and the frequency of reinfection by NA2 was the highest among all genotypes, suggesting that this genotype possessed new antigenicity for evading past host immunity. This is the first paper to show a possible correlation between an emerging genotype, NA2, and large outbreaks of HRSV in Japan. Continuing studies to follow up the genetic changes and to clarify the mechanism of reinfection in HRSV are important steps to understand HRSV infections.

Aim: Serum glycosylated Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive Mac‐2 binding protein (WFA⁺‐M2BP) is a reliable, non‐invasive marker of liver fibrosis. This study assessed the ability of WFA⁺‐M2BP to diagnose liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and evaluated WFA⁺‐M2BP as a predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development.Methods: Serum WFA⁺‐M2BP values were retrospectively evaluated in 112 treatment‐naïve patients with HBV‐related chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis who had undergone liver biopsy at our hospital.Results: Serum WFA⁺‐M2BP levels were significantly related with liver fibrosis (r = 0.3725, P = 0.001). Fibrosis stage F2, F3, and F4 had a cut‐off index of 0.94, 1.26, and 1.26, respectively. For diagnosing F ≥ 2 fibrosis, the area under the receiver–operating characteristic curve for WFA⁺‐M2BP was 0.713 and comparable with those of other non‐invasive fibrosis markers, such as hyaluronic acid, type IV collagen 7S, aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index, fibrosis‐4 index, serum albumin, and platelet count. Multivariate analysis identified male, WFA⁺‐M2BP ≥0.71, alanine aminotransferase ≥80 IU/L, and platelet count <14.5 × 10⁹/L as independent risk factors for the development of HCC in patients with HBV infection.Conclusions: Serum WFA⁺‐M2BP values appear to be useful for assessing liver fibrosis stage and are independently associated with HCC development in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Oseltamivir has been used for treatment of influenza A and B infections, but recent reports documented that it was less active against the latter. We compared the effectiveness of oseltamivir in children between laboratory confirmed influenza A and B over 4 influenza seasons from 2001 to 2005 in a pediatric clinic in Japan. Among 1,848 patients screened, 299 influenza A and 209 influenza B patients were administered oseltamivir (treated groups), and 28 influenza A and 66 influenza B patients were assigned as non-treated groups. The duration of fever, defined as period when patients had the maximum temperature higher than 37.5°C in three-time measurements in a day after the clinic visit, was evaluated among the four groups. In uni-variate analysis, the duration of fever was shorter for treated group than non-treated for influenza A (1.8 ± 0.9 days vs 2.6 ± 1.3 days, p < 0.01), but it was not significant for influenza B (2.4 ± 1.3 days vs 2.8 ± 1.2 days, p = 0.9). The fever duration was longer in treated influenza B than A patients (p < 0.01). Multi-variate analysis indicated younger age (< 6 years old) and higher body temperature at the clinic visit prolonged the duration of fever. Adjusted average duration of fever indicated that oseltamivir was effective for both types, but more effective on influenza A, and the benefit increased for younger children. Our data provide evidence that oseltamivir is beneficial for influenza infections, but the effectiveness is differed by type and age.

Happiness is an essential component to experience healthy ageing. Hence, understanding the factors that contribute to happiness is important. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with happiness among the elderly population in Malaysia. In this study, 1204 respondents were recruited from urban and rural areas in Selangor. A face-to-face interview was conducted using the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study questionnaire. The inclusion criteria include Malaysians who are 60-years old and above and can converse in the Malaysian language. Those who encounter less than seven scores for the Abbreviated Mental Test were excluded from the study. Among the 1204 respondents, 953 (79.2%) were happy. Sociodemographic characteristics showed that being a men, age of 60 to 74 years, and living in urban areas were significantly associated with happiness. A logistic regression model showed that locality (aOR 1.61), income category (Bottom 40% aOR 0.49; Middle-class group 40% aOR 1.40), social engagement (active aOR 1.77; less active aOR 1.25), receiving emotional support (aOR 2.11) and handgrip strength (aOR 1.02) were significantly associated with happiness. Thus, ensuring the elderly population in receiving emotional support and active social engagement among them can enhance their happiness level.