Inaudible components of the human infant cry influence haemodynamic responses in the breast region of mothers.

Distress vocalizations are fundamental for survival, and both sonic and ultrasonic components of such vocalizations are preserved phylogenetically among many mammals. On this basis, we hypothesized that ultrasonic inaudible components of the acoustic signal might play a heretofore hidden role in humans as well. By investigating the human distress vocalization (infant cry), here we show that, similar to other species, the human infant cry contains ultrasonic components that modulate haemodynamic responses in mothers, without the mother being consciously aware of those modulations. In two studies, we measured the haemodynamic activity in the breasts of mothers while they were exposed to the ultrasonic components of infant cries. Although mothers were not aware of ultrasounds, the presence of the ultrasounds in combination with the audible components increased oxygenated haemoglobin concentration in the mothers' breast region. This modulation was observed only when the body surface was exposed to the ultrasonic components. These findings provide the first evidence indicating that the ultrasonic components of the acoustic signal play a role in human mother-infant interaction.

Gene expression changes triggered by end-of-day far-red light treatment on early developmental stages of Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn.

To better understand the molecular mechanisms related to growth promotion in the early developmental stages of Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn. under end-of-day far-red light (EOD-FR) treatment, we analyzed the leaf transcriptome of treated (EOD) and untreated plants (Cont) by using RNA-seq technology. EOD-FR treatment for only about 2 weeks in regions with limited sunshine during winter resulted in significantly higher internode length between the 3rd and 4th nodes on the main stem in EOD than in Cont. Among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to synthesis or transport of auxin, higher levels of YUCCA (CL6581) and PIN4 (CL6181) were noted after treatment in EOD than in Cont in the leaf. In addition, high expression levels of GA20ox (Unigene11862) related to gibberellin (GA) synthesis and transcription factor bHLH 135 (CL7761) were observed in the stem of EOD, 3 h after treatment. A vertical section of the stem showed that the pith length of cells at the 4th node was longer in EOD than in Cont. Collectively, these results suggested that EOD-FR treatment increased the expression of DEGs related to GA and auxin biosynthesis, bHLH transcription factor, and internodal cell elongation along the longitudinal axis of Eustoma plants.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of rat pup ultrasonic vocalization sounds induced by a hypothermic stimulus.

Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are essential communicative sounds used between rodent pups and their mother. Rat pups emit USVs in stressful situations, such as when they are cold or separated from the nest. We verified the ontogenetic changes in USVs emitted by infant rats isolated from their mother during the pre-weaning period. The number of calls, and the median frequency and first peak of frequency of the calls were measured at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 14 days postnatal age in Wistar-Imamichi rats. Pups were placed in a cold glass beaker and USVs were recorded for 5 min. The number of calls increased to a peak on day 5 and then gradually decreased. The median frequency of calls decreased slowly during the first 12 days, and then increased slightly on day 14. Similarly, the first peak frequency of calls was the highest on day 1, and then decreased gradually by day 12. A small increase was observed on day 14. These changes in frequency were correlated with the physical development of the pups, whose body weights increased significantly with age except during postnatal days 7-10.

[Influence of position of ionization chamber and leaf-end on verification value in IMRT verification for prostate cancer].

In IMRT for prostate cancer, MU verification is performed by the actual measurement. We have experienced a remarkable improvement in results, once succeeding in finding out the more suitable and optimal evaluation dose point in some cases even though the deviation between a designed MU score and our actual record gained at the iso-center was more than 3%. In this study, we tried to demonstrate how much influence would be given to the point dose verification by the 3D arrangement between an ion chamber and tips of the MLC. The five cases in which the bias between each actual datum and planed MU score showed that about 3% were picked up and through these MLC configurations, 8 leaf-ends around the chamber were highlighted as the influential ones. After each distance from 4 pairs, a total of 8 leaves to the axis (the mid-line) of our ion chamber were mapped. The indexes (PlanLeafScores) were computed through these distances and segmental MU scores. The ratio of these scores and results obtained at the 12 sites within 1 cm from the iso-center were carried out by single regression analysis. In all cases the ratios of planed MU values to the actual ones tended to go down in inverse proportion to the increase in PlanLeafScores (r<-0.77, p<0.002). As the dimensional arrangement between the ion chamber and the edges of the MLC were thought to determine the result of the verification. PlanLeafScores will enable us to determine the optimal evaluation of the dose point.

[Development of a respiratory monitoring device for truncal stereotactic radiotherapy using an abdominal pressure-detecting system with Stereotactic Body Frame].

The Stereotactic Body Frame, which was devised as a fastening unit for the irradiation of various truncal lesions, has obtained a good reputation for its high-precision reproductivity. This device is accessorized with 'Diaphragm Control', which can reduce the respiratory movement of intra-thoracic organs. In this study, to investigate the possibility of a respiratory monitor using our device, we try to clarify the relationship between the pressure against the abdominal board of 'Diaphragm Control' and each constrained tidal respiratory movement. Our original software was programmed to detect and analyze these data with our personal computer from some ready-made highly sensitive pressure detectors. In any fundamental performance of this system, response time is less than 1 msec at 115,200 bps, minimum detectable weight is 420 g, linearity correlation between loading weight and pressure index value is seen from 1000 g to 6000 g loading, and reproducibility of measurement is evaluated by coefficient of variation (CV=0.95% at 3000 g loading). It has sufficient capability to be used as a respiratory monitoring device during radiation therapy. In an experiment with three volunteers, the results revealed a positive correlation between pressure index value and ventilation air volume by spirometer. The decision coefficients (R(2)) were 0.7717, 0.7995, and, 0.8684, respectively. Our original respiratory monitoring device can be used for quantitative respiratory suppression and unexpected breathing detection without loading additional stress on the patient.

p-Chloroamphetamine-induced rat ejaculation is not associated with the preoptic nucleus or medial nucleus amygdala.

Aim: In the rat, intraperitoneal injection of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA), which releases central 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) from serotonergic nerve terminals, induces ejaculation, even in the absence of an estrus female or female-related smell information. It is well known that the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) and the medial nucleus amygdala (MEA) play a major role in the control of male sexual behavior in mammals. We examined whether or not neuronal activity of the MPN and/or the MEA was associated with PCA-induced ejaculation. Methods: Using c-Fos immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated a difference in the neural activities of the MPN and the MEA for ejaculation during copulation with an estrus female and ejaculation by PCA injection. Results: Increased numbers of c-Fos-immunoreactive (c-Fos-IR) cells were found in the MPN and the MEA in the brains of the mating animals, whereas in the brains of the animals undergoing PCA-induced ejaculation there was no increase in the number of c-Fos-IR cells in the MPN and a small increase in the MEA. Conclusion: Based on these results, ejaculation induced by PCA is not associated with the MPN. Moreover, the MEA is not the main act for this ejaculation. (Reprod Med Biol 2008; 7: 37-43).

Ontogenetic changes of ultrasonic vocalizations emitted from infant rats.

Ontogenetic changes of USVs were investigated to establish an index of stress in infant rats. The USVs were obtained by exposing infant rats to cold stress and were analyzed by real-time spectrography. USV waveforms consisted of four types, R-I, II, III and IV. These USVs were closely monitored at the age of 3-7 days in both sexes. From day 14, the frequency and incidence of USVs gradually decreased and had disappeared completely at the age of 21 days. Therefore, USVs should be useful in estimating the stress of infant rats between the ages of 3-7 days.