Physiological Activities of Perilla Frutescens Var. Frutescens Leaf Extracts and Storage Stability in Kneaded Noodles

Perilla (Perilla frutescens var. frutescens) leaves were fractionated based on their chemical properties, and the physiological activities of the fractions were evaluated. The acidic fraction had high radical scavenging ability, whereas the superoxide dismutase-like activities of all fractions were low. A positive correlation was observed between scavenging activity and polyphenol content. The inhibitory effects of the extracts on a-amylase and on a-glucosidase activities were low, indicating a weak suppressive effect of the leaf extracts on diabetes. The acidic and phenolic fractions suppressed pancreatic lipase activity and accelerated lipid hydrolysis in adipocytes differentiated from 3T3-L1 cells. Flour noodles kneaded with leaf powder were prepared, and storage stability was examined. The functional compounds in the leaves were heat-sensitive in the flour noodles. We fractionated perilla leaves to isolate and identify valuable components to provide functionality to processed food and determined that some conditions, such as storage temperature, must be considered to effectively use the compounds

Efficacy of Using Aroma Mouthwash in Recoverying from Short-term Cognitive Stressor

Mouthwash prevents bad breath and sterilizes bacteria that cause dental caries and periodontal disease, so it provides important means for improving oral hygiene in our daily life. Along with active ingredients such as bactericides, mouthwash contains a variety of aromas to mask the bitterness of base ingredients and increase palatability. However, given that numerous aroma studies have demonstrated various physiological efficacies of aromas on autonomic/central nervous systems, it is no wonder that aroma mouthwash has some sort of physiological impact when it is used. In this study, we investigated the effect of aroma in mouthwash on peripheral and cardiac autonomic nervous system activity. The experiment was carried out in a within-subject design wherein 20 healthy women under 5 conditions, which are 4 types of mouthwashes: peppermint, peppermint + bergamot, peppermint + orange, and peppermint + lavender, and water as a control. Participants performed a 20-minute calculation task as a cognitive stressor, and then rinsing by a mouthwash or water. We evaluated the recovery period from acute stress response for 20 minutes after the task. As a result, it was observed that a mouthwash with citrus flavor had a relaxing effect in terms of subjective scores and recovering from physiological stress response. The results may illustrate a potential benefit of using aroma mouthwash

Relationships between insulin resistance, blood glucose levels and gastric motility : an electrogastrography and external ultrasonography study

Background : Detailed information concerning the influence of insulin resistance on gastrointestinal motility are not available. Methods : The relationship between insulin resistance and gastric motility and emptying, and changes in gastric motility with changes in blood glucose level were investigated using electrogastrography (EGG) and external ultrasonography in 20 non-diabetic subjects. The homeostasis model assessment ratio (HOMA-R) was used as an index of insulin resistance. The cut off value for HOMA-R was set at 1.7. Subjects with HOMA-R ≥ 1.7 were the high HOMA-R group, and HOMA-R < 1.7 were the normal HOMA-R group. In the EGG data, a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis was performed, and the mean peak power was compared among brady-, normal-, and tachy-gastria. Results : In the fasting state, the ratios of brady-gastria in EGG and HOMA-R were significantly positively correlated, and the ratios of normal-gastria and HOMA-R were significantly negatively correlated. When glucose was intravenously administered, the ratio of normal-gastria was significantly decreased and the ratio of brady-gastria was significantly increased in subjects with a high HOMA-R. In a gastric emptying test by external ultrasonography, gastric emptying activity was significantly decreased in subjects with a high HOMA-R. Conclusions : We conclude that insulin resistance induces abnormal gastric motility. Though abnormal gastric motility is related to HOMA-R, the findings herein suggest that incretin, showing insulin resistance, or an adipocyokine might be related to the differences in EGG in both groups. The relation between abnormal gastric motility and other serum parameters (incretin, adipocyokine, etc) would contribute to a better understanding of this process

Fast algorithm for calculating two-photon absorption spectra

We report a numerical calculation of the two-photon absorption coefficient of electrons in a binding potential using the real-time real-space higher-order difference method. By introducing random vector averaging for the intermediate state, the task of evaluating the two-dimensional time integral is reduced to calculating two one-dimensional integrals. This allows the reduction of the computation load down to the same order as that for the linear response function. The relative advantage of the method compared to the straightforward multi-dimensional time integration is greater for the calculation of non-linear response functions of higher order at higher energy resolution.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. It will be published in Phys. Rev. E on 1, March, 199

Open monitoring meditation reduces the involvement of brain regions related to memory function

洞察瞑想時に自伝的記憶関連脳領域間の結合性が低下することを発見 --今この瞬間に生じている経験にありのままに気づくことの神経基盤--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2018-07-05.Mindfulness meditation consists of focused attention meditation (FAM) and open monitoring meditation (OMM), both of which reduce activation of the default mode network (DMN) and mind-wandering. Although it is known that FAM requires intentional focused attention, the mechanisms of OMM remain largely unknown. To investigate this, we examined striatal functional connectivity in 17 experienced meditators (mean total practice hours = 920.6) during pre-resting, meditation, and post-resting states comparing OMM with FAM, using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Both FAM and OMM reduced functional connectivity between the striatum and posterior cingulate cortex, which is a core hub region of the DMN. Furthermore, OMM reduced functional connectivity of the ventral striatum with both the visual cortex related to intentional focused attention in the attentional network and retrosplenial cortex related to memory function in the DMN. In contrast, FAM increased functional connectivity in these regions. Our findings suggest that OMM reduces intentional focused attention and increases detachment from autobiographical memory. This detachment may play an important role in non-judgmental and non-reactive attitude during OMM. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the contribution of OMM to well-being and happiness

Development and application of a simple LC-MS method for the determination of plasma rilpivirine (TMC-278) concentrations

Rilpivirine (TMC-278) is a second-generation non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that is high potent against both wild-type and drug-resistant HIV-1 strains. Therefore, rilpivirine is expected to treat therapy-experienced patients who failed to use current drugs due to the emergence of drug-resistant HIV mutants. The quantification of rilpivirine in human plasma is important to support clinical studies and determine pharmacokinetic parameters of rilpivirine in HIV-1 infected patients. Consequently, simple and easy system to determine plasma rilpivirine concentrations has been required. In this study, we developed a conventional LC-MS method to quantify plasma rilpivirine. Subsequently the method was validated by estimating the precision and accuracy for inter- and intraday analysis in the concentration range of 18-715 ng/ml. The calibration curve was linear in this range. Average accuracy ranged from 100.0 to 100.6%. Relative standard deviations of both inter- and intraday assays were less than 3.3%. Recovery of rilpivirine was more than 82.0%. These results demonstrate that our LC-MS method provides a conventional, accurate and precise way to determine rilpivirine in human plasma. This method can be used in routine clinical application for HIV-1 infected patients, and permits management of drug interactions and toxicity for rilpivirine

Age, gender, insulin and blood glucose control status alter the risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke among elderly diabetic patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We analyzed the effects of insulin therapy, age and gender on the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) according to glycemic control.</p> <p>Methods and Results</p> <p>We performed a prospective cohort study (Japan Cholesterol and Diabetes Mellitus Study) of type 2 diabetes patients (n = 4014) for 2 years. The primary endpoint was the onset of fatal/non-fatal IHD and/or CVA, which occurred at rates of 7.9 and 7.2 per 1000 person-years, respectively. We divided diabetic patients into four groups based on age (≤ 70 and > 70) and hemoglobin A1C levels (≤ 7.0 and > 7.0%). Multiple regression analysis revealed that IHD was associated with high systolic blood pressure and low HDL-C in patients under 70 years of age with fair glycemic control and was associated with low diastolic blood pressure in the older/fair group. Interestingly, insulin use was associated with IHD in the older/poor group (OR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.11-5.89; p = 0.026) and was associated with CVA in the older/fair group (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.06-4.25; p = 0.028). CVA was associated with lower HDL-C and longer duration of diabetes in younger/poor glycemic control group. Results by stepwise analysis were similar. Next, patients were divided into four groups based on gender and diabetic control(hemoglobinA1C < or > 7.0%). Multiple regression analysis revealed that IHD was associated with high systolic blood pressure in male/fair glycemic control group, age in male/poor control group, and short duration of diabetic history in females in both glycemic control groups. Interestingly, insulin use was associated with IHD in the male/poor group(OR = 4.11, 95% CI = 1.22-8.12; p = 0.018) and with CVA in the female/poor group(OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.12-6.24; p = 0.02). CVA was associated with short duration of diabetes in both female groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>IHD and CVA risks are affected by specific factors in diabetics, such as treatment, gender and age. Specifically, insulin use has a potential role in preventing IHD but may also be a risk factor for CVA among the diabetic elderly, thus revealing a need to develop improved treatment strategies for diabetes in elderly patients. The Japan Cholesterol and Diabetes Mellitus Study was formulated to evaluate them(Umin Clinical Trials Registry, clinical trial reg. no. UMIN00000516; <url>http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm</url>).</p

Superconductivity in Sr2_2RuO4_4 Mediated by Coulomb Scattering

We investigate the superconductivity in Sr$_2$RuO$_4$ on the basis of the three-dimensional three-band Hubbard model. We propose a model with Coulomb interactions among the electrons on the nearest-neighbor Ru sites. In our model the intersite Coulomb repulsion and exchange coupling can work as the effective interaction for the spin-triplet paring. This effective interaction is enhanced by the band hybridization, which is mediated by the interlayer transfers. We investigate the possibility of this mechanism in the ground state and find that the orbital dependent spin-triplet superconductivity is more stable than the spin-singlet one for realistic parameters. This spin-triplet superconducting state has horizontal line nodes on the Fermi surface.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Mechanical Stimulation-Induced Calcium Signaling by Piezo1 Channel Activation in Human Odontoblast Reduces Dentin Mineralization

Odontoblasts play critical roles in dentin formation and sensory transduction following stimuli on the dentin surface. Exogenous stimuli to the dentin surface elicit dentinal sensitivity through the movement of fluids in dentinal tubules, resulting in cellular deformation. Recently, Piezo1 channels have been implicated in mechanosensitive processes, as well as Ca(2+) signals in odontoblasts. However, in human odontoblasts, the cellular responses induced by mechanical stimulation, Piezo1 channel expression, and its pharmacological properties remain unclear. In the present study, we examined functional expression of the Piezo1 channel by recording direct mechanical stimulation-induced Ca(2+) signaling in dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP-1)-, nestin-, and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP)-immunopositive human odontoblasts. Mechanical stimulation of human odontoblasts transiently increased intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). Application of repeated mechanical stimulation to human odontoblasts resulted in repeated transient [Ca(2+)](i) increases, but did not show any desensitizing effects on [Ca(2+)](i) increases. We also observed a transient [Ca(2+)](i) increase in the neighboring odontoblasts to the stimulated cells during mechanical stimulation, showing a decrease in [Ca(2+)](i) with an increasing distance from the mechanically stimulated cells. Application of Yoda1 transiently increased [Ca(2+)](i). This increase was inhibited by application of Gd(3+) and Dooku1, respectively. Mechanical stimulation-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase was also inhibited by application of Gd(3+) or Dooku1. When Piezo1 channels in human odontoblasts were knocked down by gene silencing with short hairpin RNA (shRNA), mechanical stimulation-induced [Ca(2+)](i) responses were almost completely abolished. Piezo1 channel knockdown attenuated the number of Piezo1-immunopositive cells in the immunofluorescence analysis, while no effects were observed in Piezo2-immunopositive cells. Alizarin red staining distinctly showed that pharmacological activation of Piezo1 channels by Yoda1 significantly suppressed mineralization, and shRNA-mediated knockdown of Piezo1 also significantly enhanced mineralization. These results suggest that mechanical stimulation predominantly activates intracellular Ca(2+) signaling via Piezo1 channel opening, rather than Piezo2 channels, and the Ca(2+) signal establishes intercellular odontoblast-odontoblast communication. In addition, Piezo1 channel activation participates in the reduction of dentinogenesis. Thus, the intracellular Ca(2+) signaling pathway mediated by Piezo1 channels could contribute to cellular function in human odontoblasts in two ways: (1) generating dentinal sensitivity and (2) suppressing physiological/reactional dentinogenesis, following cellular deformation induced by hydrodynamic forces inside dentinal tubules