Founder Nikkyō Niwano and Sūtra Recitation: Awakening to One’s and Others’ Buddha-nature

Risshō Kōsei-kai (RKK) was founded by Nikkyō Niwano in 1939 to awaken the Buddha-nature in everyone. RKK’s faith practices are developed for achieving this purpose. The founder manifested “sūtra recitation” as an important practice following the teaching of “the five practices of teachers of the Dharma.” This article examines the five Lotus Sūtra, practices: (1) “receiving and keeping,” (2) “reading” and (3) “reciting,” (4) “expounding” and (5) “copying.” The author explains how in these practices one listens to the preaching of the Buddha, shows their appreciation, and grasps the true intention of the Buddha. In this way, the author argues, one can become a person who can revere the Buddha-nature in everyone including oneself

Heterocyclic compounds degradation and characterization of Antarctic psychrophilic bacteria strain BS1

The Tenth Symposium on Polar Science/Ordinary sessions : [OB] Polar Biology, Wed. 4 Dec. / Entrance Hall (1st floor) , National Institute of Polar Researc

Neutral endopeptidase inhibitor suppresses the early phase of atrial electrical remodeling in a canine rapid atrial pacing model

Introduction We examined the acute effects of neutral endopeptidase inhibitor on the hemodynamics and electrical properties of dogs subjected to rapid atrial pacing. Methods Ten beagle dogs were used and divided into two groups with and without candoxatril, a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor preadministration. Before and after the 6 hours rapid atrial pacing from the right atrial appendage, the hemodynamics, atrial effective refractory period, and monophasic action potential duration of the right atrial appendage were measured and blood samples were collected. Atrial tissue was also excised after the experiment. Results Candoxatril significantly increased plasma ANP levels (Control: 88.4 ± 50.25 vs. Candoxatril: 197.1 ± 32.09 pg/ml, p = 0.004) and prevented reductions in atrial effective refractory period and monophasic action potential duration. We further demonstrated that the treated animals exhibited significantly higher levels of atrial tissue cyclic GMP (Control: 28.1 ± 1.60 fmol/mg vs. Candoxatril: 44.5 ± 12.28 fmol/mg, p = 0.034) as well as that of plasma cyclic GMP (Control: 32 ± 5.5 vs. Candoxatril: 42 ± 7.1 pg/ml, p = 0.028). Conclusion Candoxatril suppressed the shortening of atrial effective refractory period and monophasic action potential duration in the rapid atrial pacing model. As plasma ANP and the atrial tissue levels of cyclic GMP were higher in the Candoxatril group than the control, this effect was considered to appear through the reduction of calcium overload caused by ANP and cyclic GMP

Scavenging or Quenching Effect of Melanin on Superoxide Anion and Singlet Oxygen

Although photoprotective properties of skin melanin have been well documented, a few studies on the effect of melanin on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation have been reported. To study the interaction of melanin with ROS, scavenging or quenching effect of melanin on O2•− and 1O2 was examined by electron spin resonance (ESR)-spin trapping methods and a spectrophotometric method, respectively. Melanin potently interacted with O2•− generated in a hypoxanthine (HPX)-xanthine oxidase (XOD) reaction, and with 1O2 generated from a peroxidase, H2O2, and halide system. In the HPX-XOD reaction, it was proved that melanin doses not interfere with the enzyme reaction. It is confirmed that one of the mechanisms by which melanin protects UV-induced skin damage is likely scavenging or quenching activity against ROS such as O2•− and 1O2

Long-term observation of fibrillation cycle length in patients under angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy for chronic atrial fibrillation

AbstractIntroductionThe long-term effect of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. In this study, we evaluated the change in the fibrillation cycle length (FCL) in patients under long-term ARB therapy for chronic AF.Methods and resultsThe study population consisted of 25 chronic AF patients who were prescribed the same medication for more than 6 years and in whom specific ECG recording for FCL evaluation could be performed before and after the 6-year observation period. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those with and without ARB (ARB group and non-ARB group and n=15 and 10, respectively). FCL was calculated by the spectral analysis of the fibrillation waves in the surface ECG. There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. In the ARB group, the mean FCL was prolonged from 154±20ms to 187±37ms (p=0.005), whereas it remained unchanged in the non-ARB group (150±12ms vs. 149±10ms). In the comparison between patients with and those without FCL prolongation (>30ms; n=6 and 19, respectively), a significant difference was observed only in those prescribed ARBs.ConclusionIn cases of chronic AF, FCL might be prolonged under long-term ARB treatment

Evaluation of the impact of atrial fibrillation on rehospitalization events in heart failure patients in recent years

SummaryBackgroundAlthough we have previously reported that the presence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is an independent risk factor for rehospitalization in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) in a population from 1996 to 2002, the impact of AF configuration as a risk factor in a more recent population remains to be clarified.Methods and results319 patients with CHF admitted to our institute in 2006–2007 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into 3 groups in accordance with their basic cardiac rhythm, i.e. sinus rhythm (n=210), chronic AF (n=68), and paroxysmal AF (n=41). During the follow-up period of 19±17months, there was no significant difference in mortality or rehospitalization events among the 3 groups (p=0.542). In the multivariate analysis, no administration of β-blockers was the only independent risk factor for rehospitalization due to CHF exacerbation.ConclusionsThe clinical impact of AF configuration as a risk factor of rehospitalization due to CHF exacerbation was considered to be decreased in recent years