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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305043.].

During the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns emerged that vaccinated individuals might engage less in infection-preventive behaviors, potentially contributing to virus transmission. This study evaluates the causal effects of COVID-19 vaccination on such behaviors within Japan, highlighting the significance of understanding behavioral dynamics in public health strategies. Utilizing Japan's age-based vaccination priority for those born before April 1, 1957, this research employs a regression discontinuity design (RDD) to assess the vaccination's impact. Data from the fourth round of a longitudinal online survey, conducted from July 20 to 27, 2021, served as the basis for analyzing 14 infection-protective behaviors, including mask usage, handwashing, and avoiding crowds. A total of 12067 participants completed the survey. The analyzed sample size varied by outcome variable, ranging from 1499 to 5233. The analysis revealed no significant differences in the 14 behaviors examined among fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated individuals. This consistency across groups suggests that vaccination status did not significantly alter engagement in protective behaviors during the observation period. Empirical findings highlight the complexity of behavioral responses following vaccination, indicating that such responses may be influenced by various factors, rather than by vaccination status alone. Additionally, this result underscores the importance of crafting public health policies that account for the intricate interplay between vaccination and behavior. This study contributes to the broader discourse on managing responses to the pandemic and tailoring interventions to sustain or enhance protective health behaviors amid vaccination rollouts.

This study examines the importance of accounting for rare but catastrophic events even if the probability of occurrence is extremely low, which is often ignored when expected utility is considered. To provide empirical evidence for this, we present the land price change related to the Japanese government’s report on the damage of catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis whose probability of occurrence is extremely low. While this relationship has been studied in previous research, there are some notable shortcomings. Firstly, the control of the attributes between the treatment group, namely the land in the area where information is updated, and the control group is insufficient. Secondly, the link between rational behavior and the estimation result is not established enough. This study addresses these two points and updates the findings in this regard. We find that the estimated results presented herein match those proposed by previous works, confirming that the established link between the data and rational behavior suggests the importance of accounting for such catastrophic events even if their probability of occurrence is extremely low.

In this study, we evaluate a subsidy program that reduces urban fire risk. Using apartment auction data from Osaka, Japan, we employ econometric models of first-price sealed-bid auctions to assess the program’s benefits. The data include the attributes of the auctioned apartments, reserve prices, and number of observed bids as well as the highest, second-highest, and third-highest bids. In our analysis, we use the affiliated private value (APV) model to infer the bidder’s valuation. We model affiliation using the Archimedean copula and parametric marginals. To estimate the parameters of the copulas and parametric marginals, we use moment conditions that are satisfied by observed and equilibrium bids when our model specification is correct. We apply the method of simulated moments to the moment conditions. Overidentification and goodness-of-fit tests reject the independent private value (IPV) models, although some APV models are not rejected. Our hypothetical policy evaluation suggests that the subsidy program has a reasonable effect. We note that IPV models under- or overestimate the benefit of the policy when the reduction in fire risk is not only non-marginal but also marginal.

In this study, we evaluate a subsidy program that reduces urban fire risk. Using apartment auction data from Osaka, Japan, we employ econometric models of first-price sealed-bid auctions to assess the program’s benefits. The data include the attributes of the auctioned apartments, reserve prices, and number of observed bids as well as the highest, second-highest, and third-highest bids. In our analysis, we use the affiliated private value (APV) model to infer the bidder’s valuation. We model affiliation using the Archimedean copula and parametric marginals. To estimate the parameters of the copulas and parametric marginals, we use moment conditions that are satisfied by observed and equilibrium bids when our model specification is correct. We apply the method of simulated moments to the moment conditions. Overidentification and goodness-of-fit tests reject the independent private value (IPV) models, although some APV models are not rejected. Our hypothetical policy evaluation suggests that the subsidy program has a reasonable effect. We note that IPV models under- or overestimate the benefit of the policy when the reduction in fire risk is not only non-marginal but also marginal.

Introduction The effectiveness of temporary uterine artery ligation (TUAL) in reducing blood loss during laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) is uncertain, despite increased use as an adjunct to improve surgical safety. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TUAL in LM for the management of uterine myomas. Material and Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of comparative studies evaluating LM with and without TUAL. Electronic databases were searched up to October 7, 2024. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials or observational comparative studies published in English that reported at least one primary outcome. The primary outcomes were intraoperative estimated blood loss and perioperative change in hemoglobin. Secondary outcomes included operative time, number and size of myomas removed, length of hospital stay, recurrence, and complication rates. Data extraction and analysis were performed using a random‐effects model. This review was registered prospectively with PROSPERO (CRD42024595684). Results Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising five randomized controlled trials and two retrospective case–control studies, with a total of 857 women (352 undergoing LM with TUAL and 505 undergoing LM alone). TUAL was associated with a reduction in intraoperative estimated blood loss (mean difference [MD]: −84.7 mL; 95% Cl: −89.0; −80.0) and postoperative reduction in hemoglobin level (MD: −0.4 g/dL; 95% Cl: −0.7; −0.2) compared with LM without TUAL. However, TUAL was associated with increased operative time (MD: 16.5 min; 95% Cl: 3.4; 29.6). Conclusions TUAL appears to be a possible adjunct to LM for selected patients in the management of uterine myomas. Our study demonstrated that TUAL with LM could be associated with a reduction in estimated blood loss, despite an increase in operative time. Nonetheless, further studies with a larger sample size and long‐term follow‐up, as well as stratification of outcomes based on ligation technique, are warranted to elucidate the benefits of TUAL. This meta‐analysis evaluates whether temporary uterine artery ligation (TUAL) reduces intraoperative estimated blood loss during laparoscopic myomectomy (LM). Data from seven comparative studies were analyzed to evaluate their hemostatic efficacy, surgical impact, and suitability for wider clinical use.

Background Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) continues to stand as the primary cause of maternal morbidity and mortality post-delivery, with twin pregnancies carrying a heightened risk of PPH compared to singleton deliveries. Objectives To investigate the incidence of primary PPH among twin pregnancies and report on maternal and peripartum characteristics within this population. Methods A literature search was conducted using data from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search aimed to identify studies concerning mothers with twin pregnancies and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) from the inception of each respective database to June 8th, 2023. Pooled means and proportions were analyzed using the generic inverse variance method. This review was registered prospectively with PROSPERO (CRD42023427192). Results A total of 21 studies involving 23,330 twin pregnant patients were included. Incidence of PPH for vaginal delivery and Caesarean delivery (CS) was found to be 10.9% (95% CI: -0.017, 0.235, I 2  = 96%) and 27.0% (95% CI: 0.180, 0.359, I 2  = 99%) respectively. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was the most common conception method at 62.0% (95% CI: 0.448, 0.792, I 2  = 100%) with 81.1% (95% CI: 0.708, 0.915, I 2  = 100%) of twins being dichorionic diamniotic. Conclusion This meta-analysis demonstrated more than one in ten vaginal deliveries and over one in four cesarean sections result in PPH for twin pregnancies. IVF is the predominant method of conception in this patient group and seems to contribute to subsequent PPH risk in specific mothers. While preliminary, these findings underscore the necessity for further well-designed and high-quality studies to validate these results.

Swyer syndrome is a rare congenital condition that serves as a risk factor for developing germ cell tumors. The condition belongs to the group of 46, XY disorders of sexual development, is characterized by complete gonadal dysgenesis (CGD) and is mostly manifested as delayed puberty and primary amenorrhea during adolescence. Individuals with Swyer syndrome are known to be phenotypically female with normal internal and external female genitalia at birth. 46, XY GD involves a high risk of gonadoblastoma development with malignant potential such that the onset is greatest at or after the event of puberty. This report of a 12-year-old phenotypic female with 46, XY GD, who developed an advanced metastatic seminoma, highlights the rarity of the development of a seminoma in the context of 46, XY CGD.

This study proposes a method to economically evaluate environmental quality using property auction data. Our approach is consistent with microeconomic auction theory and can directly estimate the value function from the data, a task that is often difficult when using conventional revealed preference methods such as the hedonic approach. We use a method of simulated moments to estimate the value function, which in turn is used to calculate the economic value of environmental quality changes. We apply this method to data on foreclosure property auctions in Tokyo in order to economically evaluate hypothetical improvements in neighborhood fire risks.

Purpose Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is increasingly utilized in the management of renal angiomyolipomas (AML). However, the growth in its application has not been matched by a proportional increase in the level of evidence validating its safety and efficacy. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate TAE in managing renal AMLs by examining the effects of tumour size reduction and technical success. Methods A literature search of several databases was conducted from inception to July 2023. Eligible studies reported adult patients (≥ 18 years old) who underwent TAE for renal AML. The pooled proportions were analyzed using a random-effects model. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023441331). Results A total of 32 studies comprising 1087 patients were included. The average preoperative tumour size across renal AMLs was 8.79 cm (95% CI: 7.64, 9.93; I 2  = 97%) and the post-operative tumour size was 6.47 cm (95% CI: 5.44, 7.50; I 2  = 98%). The mean decrease in tumour size was 1.85 cm (95% CI: 1.69, 2.00; I 2  = 23%), whereas the mean reduction in tumour size percentage was 43.30% (95% CI: 34.30, 52.30; I 2  = 98%). The technical success rate from 1059 embolizations was 95.70% (95% CI: 0.94, 0.97; I 2  = 44%), with 65 procedural failures reported. Conclusion This meta-analysis provides insights into the efficacy of TAE for renal AMLs, emphasizing notable tumour size reduction and a high technical success rate for selected patients. Despite identified biases, the findings support TAE as a valuable intervention, warranting further research to refine safety profiles and optimize patient outcomes.