Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide. Since reducing the amount of virus in saliva is considered to prevent broader infection, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) have recommended use of CPC- or CHX-containing oral care products before the dental procedure. However, there is no certified evidence. So, we examined inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by oral care products in several countries in vitro . Methods 0.05% Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mouthwash, 0.05% CPC toothpaste and 0.30% CPC spray in Japan; 0.06% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) + 0.05% CPC mouthwash and 0.12% CHX + 0.05% CPC mouthwash in Europe; 0.075% CPC mouthwash, 0.12% CHX mouthwash, and 0.20% delmopinol hydrochloride mouthwash in the USA; and 0.04% CPC mouthwash in China were assessed for their virucidal activity with ASTM E1052. Results The virus was inactivated in vitro by the contact time in directions for use of all oral care products containing CPC or delmopinol hydrochloride as anticeptics. Conclusions These results suggest that these oral care products in each country may reduce the viral load in the mouth.

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The MEG experiment took data at the Paul Scherrer Institute in the years 2009–2013 to test the violation of the lepton flavor conservation law, which originates from an accidental symmetry that the Standard Model of elementary particle physics has, and published the most stringent limit on the charged lepton flavor violating decay μ+→e+γ: BR(μ+→e+γ) <4.2×10−13 at 90% confidence level. The MEG detector has been upgraded in order to reach a sensitivity of 6×10−14. The basic principle of MEG II is to achieve the highest possible sensitivity using the full muon beam intensity at the Paul Scherrer Institute (7×107 muons/s) with an upgraded detector. The main improvements are better rate capability of all sub-detectors and improved resolutions while keeping the same detector concept. In this paper, we present the current status of the preparation, integration and commissioning of the MEG II detector in the recent engineering runs.

In our previous study, the health benefits of the 1975 Japanese diet were shown to be the highest, since the diet suppressed visceral and liver fat accumulation, and hyperglycemia. In addition, the 1975 Japanese diet promoted maintenance of learning memory ability and a lengthened life span. However, the effect of the 1975 Japanese diet has not been ascertained in humans. In the current study, a diet with the characteristics of the 1975 Japanese diet was prepared to examine if this diet is beneficial for human health. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine effects of the 1975 Japanese diet (JD) in comparison with a modern Japanese diet (MD). Subjects aged 20~29 years old were randomly assigned to the MD (n=16) and JD (n=16) groups. Each subject consumed the diet three times a day for 28 days. Changes in physical conditions, including body composition and blood biochemistry, from before to after the study period were evaluated. As a result, body weight (p < 0.05), body fat percentage (p < 0.05), body fat mass (p < 0.05), serum triglyceride level (p < 0.05), and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased and serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05) and serum magnesium levels (p < 0.05) were significantly increased in JD group. These results showed that a diet with the characteristics of the 1975 Japanese diet has a beneficial effect on lipid metabolic parameters.

This study examined how a maternal high-fat diet (HD) during lactation and exposure of offspring to isolation stress influence the susceptibility of offspring to the development of obesity. C57BL/6J mice were fed a commercial diet (CD) during pregnancy and a CD or HD during lactation. Male offspring were weaned at three weeks of age, fed a CD until seven weeks of age, and fed a CD or HD until 11 weeks of age. Offspring were housed alone (isolation stress) or at six per cage (ordinary circumstances). Thus, offspring were assigned to one of eight groups: dams fed a CD or HD during lactation and offspring fed a CD or HD and housed under ordinary circumstances or isolation stress. Serum corticosterone level was significantly elevated by isolation stress. High-fat feeding of offspring reduced their serum corticosterone level, which was significantly elevated by a maternal HD. A maternal HD and isolation stress had combined effects in elevating the serum corticosterone level. These findings suggest that a maternal HD during lactation enhances the stress sensitivity of offspring. White adipose tissue weights were significantly increased by a maternal HD and isolation stress and by their combination. In addition, significant adipocyte hypertrophy was induced by a maternal HD and isolation stress and exacerbated by their combination. Thus, a maternal HD and isolation stress promote visceral fat accumulation and adipocyte hypertrophy, accelerating the progression of obesity through their combined effects. The mechanism may involve enhanced fatty acid synthesis and lipid influx from blood into adipose tissue. These findings demonstrate that a maternal HD during lactation may increase the susceptibility of offspring to the development of stress-induced obesity.