Individual trait anxiety levels characterizing the properties of zen meditation.

Meditation is a specific consciousness state in which deep relaxation and increased internalized attention coexist. There have been various neurophysiological studies on meditation. However, the personal predispositions/traits that characterize the properties of meditation have not been adequately studied. We analyzed changes in neurophysiological parameters [EEG coherence and autonomic nervous activity using heart rate variability (HRV) as an index] during Zen meditation, and evaluated the results in association with trait anxiety (assessed by Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) in 22 healthy adults who had not previously practiced any form of meditation. During meditation, in terms of mean values in all subjects, an increase in slow alpha interhemispheric EEG coherence in the frontal region, an increase in high-frequency (HF) power (as a parasympathetic index of HRV), and a decrease in the ratio of low-frequency to HF power (as a sympathetic index of HRV) were observed. Further evaluation of these changes in individuals showed a negative correlation between the percent change (with the control condition as the baseline) in slow alpha interhemispheric coherence reflecting internalized attention and the percent change in HF reflecting relaxation. The trait anxiety score was negatively correlated with the percent change in slow alpha interhemispheric coherence in the frontal region and was positively correlated with the percent change in HF. These results suggest that lower trait anxiety more readily induces meditation with a predominance of internalized attention, while higher trait anxiety more readily induces meditation with a predominance of relaxation.

Mechanisms of phytosterolemia in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive and WKY rats.

Analysis of sterol composition in serum, liver, adipose tissue, adrenals, and abdominal aorta demonstrated that the contents of plant sterols, campesterol and sitosterol, were evidently higher in WKY and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive (SHRSP) rats than in Wistar and WKA rats fed a diet containing a 0.5% plant sterol mixture. Lymphatic 24-hour recovery of 3H-sitosterol was about 2-fold higher in the WKY and SHRSP rats than in the WKA rats. Lymphatic absorption of 14C-cholesterol was also higher in WKY and SHRSP rats compared with WKA rats, but the difference was smaller than in the case of sitosterol. The remarkable increase of sitosterol absorption in WKY and SHRSP rats was observed between 9 and 24 hours after the administration. In SHRSP rats, lymphatic absorption of sitosterol between 0 and 3 hours was also higher than those in the other rat strains. Markedly less esterified 3H-sitosterol was detected in lymph than 14C-cholesterol in all strains, and in WKY and SHRSP rats, only a small increase in the esterified forms of sitosterol and cholesterol was observed. Although the incorporation of micellar 3H-sitosterol and 14C-cholesterol into intestinal brush border membranes was higher in SHRSP rats than in WKA rats, no difference was observed between WKY and WKA rats. These observations suggest that the incorporation into the brush border membranes and the esterification of sterols are not the major determinants for the hyperabsorption of sitosterol and cholesterol in SHRSP and WKY rats. Secretion of sitosterol and cholesterol in the bile of rats fed a plant sterol mixture was lower in SHRSP than in WKA rats. These results suggest that WKY and SHRSP strains deposit plant sterols in the body by enhancing the absorption and lowering the excretion of plant sterols. These strains of rats may be suitable models for studying mechanisms of differential absorption of various sterols.

Osteosarcoma cell apoptosis induced by selenium.

An essential nutrient selenium has been reported to be a potential cancer preventive and inhibitory agent, although no exact mechanism has yet been proposed. Since little is known about the anti-proliferative effect of selenium on osteosarcoma, this issue was addressed in the present study in vitro using three osteosarcoma cell lines, and in vivo using an osteosarcoma transplantable to nude mice. Selenium inhibited the tumor growth in vitro and morphological changes indicative of apoptosis were demonstrated. Osteosarcomas in nude mice were inhibited in growth by selenium with no cytotoxic change in normal tissues. The findings suggested that selenium may offer a novel therapeutic modality for osteosarcoma.

Sub-therapeutic exposure to polyene antimycotics elicits a post-antifungal effect (PAFE) and depresses the cell surface hydrophobicity of oral Candida albicans isolates.

Post-antifungal effect (PAFE) is defined as the suppression of growth that persists following limited exposure of fungi to antimycotics and subsequent removal of the drug. The fungal pathogen Candida albicans is the major aetiologic agent of oral candidosis, and the cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) of this yeast is considered a critical factor contributing to its colonisation potential. As the concentration of topically prescribed antifungals reach sub-therapeutic levels at dosage intervals, the study of the polyene-induced PAFE and its impact on the CSH of oral C. albicans should be of clinical relevance. Hence the aims of this investigation were to measure the PAFE and CSH of 12 isolates of C. albicans following limited exposure (1 h) to nystatin and amphotericin B and also to investigate the ultrastructural features of yeast cells following such antifungal exposure. The yeasts were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of nystatin (x2 MIC) and amphotericin B (x2 MIC) for a period of 1 h. Following subsequent removal of the drug, the PAFE and the CSH of the isolates were assessed by a turbidometric measurement of growth and a biphasic aqueous-hydrocarbon assay, respectively. The mean duration of PAFE of nystatin and amphotericin B were 5.99 (+/-0.49) h and 8.73 (+/-0.93) h, respectively, while the reduction in CSH following exposure to these drugs were 17.32% (P<0.05 for 83% of the isolates) and 14.26% (P<0.05 for 66% of the isolates), respectively. On scanning electron microscopy the exposed cells were seen to undergo collapse of the internal cell membrane, leaving an intact cell wall, while a proportion of cells were deflated. Some cells showed intense puckering of the cell wall, resulting in a mulberry appearance. Taken together, these data elucidate additional mechanisms by which polyene antimycotics may operate in vivo to suppress candidal pathogenicity.

Suppression of adjuvant arthritis of rats by a novel matrix metalloproteinase-inhibitor.

BAY 12-9566 (4-[4-(chlorophenyl)phenyl]-4-oxo-2S-(phenylthiomethyl) butanoic acid) is a newly developed, synthetic matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor (MMPI) that selectively inhibits MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9 isozymes. We study the effect of BAY 12-9566 on inflammation and cartilage destruction in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) in rats. Rats were injected with adjuvant and treated for 21 days with vehicle, Indomethacin or BAY 12-9566. AA was assessed: by measuring arthritic index, paw volume, urinary pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr); by examining joint inflammation; and by microscopic morphometry of articular cartilages. Oral treatment of rats for 22 days with 50 mg kg(-1) body weight/d BAY 12-9566 showed decreased AA as determined by improvement in body weight gain (P<0.01), arthritic index (P<0.05) and swelling of paws contralateral to the adjuvant injection site (P<0.05). Neutrophil infiltration and collagen degradation were also significantly lower (P<0.01) in this treatment group. Cartilage destruction was successfully suppressed (P<0.01) in rats treated with either 50 mg kg(-1) body weight/d BAY 12-9566 or 1 mg kg(-1) body weight/d Indomethacin. These results indicate that BAY 12-9566 successfully suppressed inflammation and cartilage destruction in rats with AA. Moreover, these results also suggested that MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-9 are involved in arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

A pitch glide activates an intermediate response between auditory N1 and mismatch negativity.

Pitch glides of a continuous tone elicit auditory N1-like responses. However, their characteristics have not well been investigated, and it remained unclear whether the response is an auditory true N1 or the mismatch negativity (MMN). We found here that a rapid pitch glide activates almost the same response as a true N1. On the contrary, as the rate of the pitch glide decreases, the response continuously varies the characteristics from true N1 to MMN. This suggests that there would exist intermediate responses between auditory N1 and MMN.

[Efficacy of the cuffed oropharyngeal airway in spontaneously breathing patients].

A cuffed oropharyngeal airway (COPA) was used in 20 adult patients for airway management under epidural and brachial plexus block supplemented with light general anesthesia. Insertion of a COPA was successful at first attempt in 17 of 20 patients (85%). Sore throat developed in one patient (5%). Aspiration regurgitation, or laryngospasm was not observed. We conclude that a COPA can be an efficient airway device is spontaneously breathing patients under anesthesia.

Interhemispheric asymmetry of event-related fields concerned with logical processing during auditory oddball stimulation.

This study investigated the cortex during logical processing of auditory information using a 122-channel dc-SQUID gradiometer. The experimental task was designed to require a simple logical decision prior to counting rare paired tones, which consisted of two different pitches and were presented to separate ears. Among six subjects, left and right predominant dipolar activity was observed in three subjects each. When the dipolar sources were superimposed on MR images, the inferior region of the supramarginal gyrus showed activation, suggesting that logical processing occurred in the association cortex but not in the auditory cortex. We propose a modified cognitive sequence model in which auditory information processed in Heschl's gyri is transmitted to the supramarginal gyrus to commence automatic detection processing.

Evaluation of changes in sympathetic nerve activity and heart rate in essential hypertensive patients induced by amlodipine and nifedipine.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of amlodipine and nifedipine on heart rate and parameters of sympathetic nerve activity during the acute and chronic treatment periods in order to elucidate their influence on cardiovascular outcome. DESIGN: A randomized and single-blind study. METHODS: We performed 24 h ambulatory electrocardiography and blood pressure monitoring of 45 essential hypertensive inpatients. Plasma and urinary catecholamine levels were measured during the control (pretreatment) period, on the first day (acute period) and after 4 weeks (chronic period) of administration of amlodipine and of short-acting nifedipine or its slow-releasing formulation. The low-frequency and high-frequency power spectral densities and low-frequency: high-frequency ratio were obtained by heart rate power spectral analysis. RESULTS: Blood pressure was significantly and similarly reduced by administrations of amlodipine, short-acting nifedipine and slow-releasing nifedipine during the chronic period. The total QRS count per 24 h, which remained constant during the chronic period of administration of slow-releasing nifedipine and was increased by administration of nifedipine, was decreased by 2.8% by administration of amlodipine. Administration of amlodipine decreased the plasma and urinary norepinephrine levels during the chronic period, whereas the levels were significantly increased by administration of short-acting nifedipine and not changed by administration of slow-release nifedipine. Although low-frequency: high-frequency ratio was increased significantly by administration of short-acting nifedipine and slightly by administration of slow-releasing nifedipine, administration of amlodipine reduced it during the acute and chronic periods. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of amlodipine did not induce an increase in sympathetic nerve activity in essential hypertensive patients during the chronic period, suggesting that beneficial effects on essential hypertension can be expected after its long-term administration. Administration of slow-releasing nifedipine induces milder reflex sympathetic activation than does that of short-acting nifedipine.

The involvement of calmodulin and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the circadian rhythms controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

We investigated the involvement of calmodulin and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in the photic entrainment of circadian rhythms using calmodulin inhibitors such as calmidazolium (CMZ) and trifluoperazine (TFP), and a CaMKII inhibitor, KN-62, in rats. Fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of rats induced by photic stimulation (300 lux, 1 h) during the early subjective night of the rats was inhibited by treatment with CMZ (10 mg/kg i.p.) or TFP (20 mg/kg i.p.) 30 min before photic stimulation. With respect to the neuronal firing rate in the rat SCN slice, KN-62 and CMZ application during the early subjective night attenuated the glutamate (10 microM)-induced phase shift. The present results suggest that calmodulin and CaMKII are involved in the photic entrainment mechanism in the rodent SCN.

[Medical and pharmaceutical tales recorded in "Genroku- Sekenbanashi-Fubunshu"].

"Genroku-Sekenbanashi-Fubunshu" consists of eleven volumes and was written from 1694 to 1703, in the Edo Period. The original book was kept at the Faculty of Literature, Tokyo University. In 1994, this book was first published as one of the Iwanami-Bunko Series. I studied the tales recorded in this book and found that twenty-seven of them were concerned with medical and pharmaceutial sciences. In these medical and pharmaceutical tales, there were several kinds, relating to such matters as spells to cure or prevent illness, curious sicknesses, episodes regarding the origin of remedies, medicinal plants and crude drugs, medical books, doctors and surgeons, persons who lived long, and so forth. It was difficult to explain about the spells which were thought effective to cure illness, but I could gain an understanding that Japanese people lived such lives in the old days.

Pheromone-induced stimulation of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator in ovariectomized, estrogen-primed goats.

As an example of pheromone-induced activation of reproductive function, the 'male effect' is well known in seasonally anestrous goats. The effect of this male pheromone on the hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator activity was examined by monitoring the characteristic increases in the multiple-unit activity (MUA volleys) of the medial basal hypothalamus which had been associated with the pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone in ovariectomized goats carrying estradiol implants under 16L/8D condition. Male goat hair was used as the source of male pheromones, and the exposure to the hair was accurately timed to be midway between succeeding MUA volleys. The interval from the pheromone exposure to the subsequent volley was measured, so that the primer pheromone effect was assessed in terms of the stimulation of the GnRH pulse generator activity. Exposure to hair from an intact male goat resulted in occurrence of a MUA volley within a few minutes (1.7 +/- 0.2 min, n = 15) with the intervolley interval being apparently shortened as compared with the preexposure period. Hair from castrated male goats, on the other hand, had no such stimulatory effect at all on the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator activity, but treatment of the castrated goats with testosterone for 2 months resumed the pheromone activity. The present results provide first direct evidence for the central action of the primer pheromone in a mammalian species, and pheromonal stimulation of the reproductive neuroendocrine system is shown to be exerted by instantaneously stimulating the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator activity.

cDNA cloning of a wounding-inducible gene encoding a plastid omega-3 fatty acid desaturase from tobacco.

A cDNA encoding the plastid omega-3 fatty acid desaturase was isolated from a tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. SR1) leaf cDNA library. The amino terminal extension of the deduced amino acid sequence of this clone had a characteristic feature of the transit peptides of plastid-destined proteins. Northern analysis indicated that the mRNA corresponding to this cDNA was present in leaves, but was not detected in roots. Responses to wounding of the plastid and microsome omega-3 desaturase genes were investigated in tobacco leaves. The mRNA level of the plastid omega-3 desaturase gene increased to about 2-fold that of unwounded controls at 12 h after a wounding treatment. On the other hand, the mRNA level of the microsome omega-3 desaturase gene remained constant in the wounded leaves. Linolenic acid contents of major leaf polar lipids increased by wounding. These results indicate that wounding enhances the accumulation of the plastid omega-3 desaturase mRNA, and increases the conversion of linoleic acid to linolenic acid in leaf polar lipids.

[Studies on the crude drugs used for the folk medicine described in "mimi-bukuro"].

"Mimi-bukuro" is a book written by Moriyasu Negishi in the Edo period. M. Negishi (1737-1815) was a magistrate in the town of Edo. He was very much interested in listening and recording many kinds of stories, which were told by the various kinds of people, such as public officers, samurais, merchants, doctors, etc. Among the stories of this book, some stories were found concerning folk medicine, medicinal substance and charms. In this report, I studied the medicines which were used in these stories. The medicines originated from zoological, botanical and mineral substances. As the results of my studies, there were zoological, botanical and mineral medicines were 13, 36 and 4 species, respectively. The examples of such medicines were as follows. Zoological samples: Felis catus, Gallus gallus domesticus, Anguilla japonica and Rapana venosa. Botanical samples: Artemisia princeps, Nicotiana tabacum, Panax ginseng, Terminaria chebula and Piper nigrum.

Involvement of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in NMDA-induced phase delay of firing activity rhythm in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in vitro.

Glutamate has been reported to be involved in the transmission of photic information from the retina to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Therefore, we investigated whether the application of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), a glutamate receptor agonist could, reset the circadian rhythm of SCN firing activity in vitro. Treatment with NMDA for 1 h between projected zeitgeber time (ZT) 13-14 produced a phase delay in a concentration-dependent manner. The NMDA-induced phase delay was antagonized by an NMDA-receptor antagonist, MK-801 (100 microM). The retinohypothalamic tract has been reported to make terminals on neurons possessing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Therefore, we investigated the effect of NMDA on VIP release from the SCN and on VIP immunoreactivity in the SCN. Application of NMDA for 15 min between ZT 13-15 increased release of VIP from the SCN. In contrast to release, the content of VIP in the SCN tissue was reduced by application of NMDA. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that application of NMDA for 4 h or 1 h reduced VIP immunoreactivity in the SCN. To investigate the possibility that VIP released by NMDA could reset SCN neuronal activity, we examined the effects of VIP on the SCN neuronal activity rhythm. Co-treatment with VIP (1 microM) and gastrin-releasing peptide (1 microM) for 1 h between ZT 13-14 caused a phase-delay of SCN activity rhythm. These findings suggest that activation of NMDA receptors during early subjective night causes a phase delay of the SCN neuronal activity via facilitation of VIP release in this nucleus.

[Studies on the medicinal plants in the "Sambutsu-cho" of Merayama, belonging to Kuma province, Higo].

The Sambutsu-cho, a list of the natural products, of Merayama, belonging to Kuma Province, Higo was dedicated to the Tokugawa shogunate ca. 1735. This book did not contain so many names, but there were various names of plants, animals and minerals. In the plant kingdom, there were the names of the wild and cultivated plants, such as cereals, vegetables, fruits, trees, bamboos, herbs and mushrooms. The part on trees had 61 names and the other part, on herbs, had 76 names. In this report, I studied the species of the trees and herbs which were listed by their local and standard names. I identified them and found 56 and 63 species, respectively. Among the 56 species of trees, 39 were medicinal plants. Also, 48 medicinal plants were found among the 63 species of herbs. The ratio of medicinal plants to trees and herbs was 70 and 76%. This Sambutsu-cho contained color illustrations of the herbs, trees, animals, birds and insects. These pictures were not always accurate but very much useful to identify the local names in the Edo-period to match them with their scientific names. One of the most interesting samples was "Miso-ushinai." This was identified as Lyonia ovalifolia var. elliptica, Ericaceae.

[A case of alcoholism presenting pellagra and hypokalemic myopathy].

A 32-year-old man with chronic alcoholism over 10 years developed skin eruptions, dark-red tongue and severe watery diarrhea, followed by weakness of bilateral lower extremities. Physical examination revealed hyperpigmented skin eruptions with scales on the dorsa of his hands and extensor aspects of his forearms. Neurological examination showed proximal muscle weakness of both lower extremities, hyperactive knee and ankle jerks, positive Chaddock reflexes and stocking type sensory disturbances. Laboratory data revealed elevation of myolytic enzyme, hypokalemia and decrease of niacin level in the blood. Diagnosis of hypokalemic myopathy and pellagra was made. With the correction of serum potassium level, muscle weakness improved rapidly and with the supplement of niacin, other physical signs and symptoms improved. In this case hypokalemic myopathy could be attributed to the alcoholic malnutritional state such as pellagrous diarrhea, malnutrition, malabsorption and others.

Mercury and selenium contents in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan.

We evaluated the pathogenicity of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) which are supposed to be one of the risk factors in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Hg and Se contents were measured in plasma, blood cells, scalp hair samples of 21 sporadic ALS patients and 36 controls, who included 19 patients with other neurological diseases, in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Hg and Se levels in plasma and blood cells of ALS patients were significantly lower in advanced staged ALS patients than controls. Low Hg and Se contents in ALS, being correlated with their disabilities and nutritional conditions, would rather reflect the disease contracted states than the pathogenic roles in ALS.

[Medical treatment and folk medicine recorded in "Mimibukuro"].

"Mimibukuro" is a book written by Moriyasu Negishi in the Edo-period. M. Negishi (1737-1815) was a magistrate in the city of Edo. He was very much interested in listening to and recording many kinds of the stories, which were told by various kinds of people, such as public officers, samurais, merchants, doctors, etc. Among the stories of this book, there are found some stories concerning folk medicine, medicinal substances and charms. In this report, I studied such kinds of the stories. As the results of my studies, I have shown that some medicinal stories originated in the old Chinese medical books. Other stories were supposed to have been popular among the people of Edo.