Objective: On the psychological, physiological and immunological parameters, the effects of green tea drink were comprehensively investigated.
Design: This study used a randomized cross-over design.
Methods: After a 120-minute computer fatigue task, participants were randomized into two groups: one tasked to drink green tea and the other water. Blood collection, measurement of the P300 event related potential and questionnaire were executed three times: before and after the computer fatigue task and then, 30 minute after drinking green tea or water. These data were then compared. High Frequency (HF) and average Low Frequency/High Frequency Ratio (LF/HF) were calculated.
Result: In a state of fatigue, drinking green tea showed dominance of the parasympathetic nervous system, an improvement in their attentiveness, and elevation of NK activity; thereby, reducing fatigue, particularly, mental fatigue.
Conclusion: This study comprehensively showed the fatigue-reducing eggect of green tea in psychological, physiological and immunological parameters. It is hereby, suggested that green tea is indeed, helpful in reducing fatigue.

Several prediction equations for estimating body composition of Japanese men and women have recently been developed using a linear regression model with a combination of impedance and anthropometric measurements as independent variables. The purpose of this study was to determine the cross-validity of body density (Db) estimated from bioelectrical impedance (BI) and skinfold thickness (ST) methods in comparison with underwater weighing (UW) as a criterion reference method. Percentage body fat (%BF) was derived from Db according to the equation Brozek et al. Fifty-seven healthy Japanese women, aged 19 to 57 years, volunteered to participate in the study. Impedance was measured by use of a portable four-terminal impedance plethysmograph (Selco, SIF-891) . %BF derived from the BI method (r=0.860-0.875) was correlated with hydrodensitometrically determined %BF to a greater extent than %BF obtained using the ST method (r=0.7330.758) or ultrasound method (r=0.536-0.721) . Correlations of various anthropometric indices (r=0.655-0.691) with hydrodensitometrically determined %BF were even lower. It was noteworthy, however, that mean %BF derived from existing BI equations differed significantly from hydrodensitometrically determined mean %BF. Therefore, we attempted to develop a new equation that was applicable to Japanese adult women as follows: Db=1.1613-0.1038 (Wt⋅Z ) /Ht², where Wt=weight in kg, Z=impedance in ohms, and Ht=height in cm. The prediction accuracy of this equation was r=0.866 or SEE=0.0077 g/ml. Cross-validation of this equation on a different sample (122 Japanese women, aged 18 to 59 years) revealed a correlation of r=0.869 in terms of %BF, SEE=3.2%, and no significant difference between estimated %BF and the criterion. We suggest that the BI method is one of the most convenient, valid means of assessing human body composition, and that the newly developed BI equation could be useful particularly when the subjects are Japanese adult women in their late teens to fifties.

A study was conducted to investigate the validity of skinfold-based prediction equations for body density (Db, g/ml) developed by Nagamine et al. (1974), and to formulate convenient, useful equations for predicting Db by the skinfold thickness (ST) method in junior high school boys and girls. The subjects of the study were 269 healthy boys and girls, aged 12-15 years. The dependent variable, Db, was determined by underwater weighing (UW) . Independent variables included single skinfold thickness at three sites (triceps, subscapular and abdomen) and the sum of two skinfolds. Db by the ST method was estimated from the equations developed by Nagamine et al. (1974) for boys and girls, using the sum of skinfold thickness at the triceps and subscapular area. Skinfold thickness was measured on the right side of the body with an Eiken-type skinfold caliper. Db estimated by the ST method was correlated significantly with Db determined by UW (r=0.873 for boys and r=0.723 for girls) . However, average Db values estimated by the ST method were significantly lower than those deter-mined by UW (differences in Db values when predicted by the Nagamine equations: 0.0099 for boys and 0, 0114 for girls) . Therefore, we developed linear regression equations for predicting Db. The best-fitting prediction equation for Db was Db=1.0881-0.0010·X for boys, and Db=1.0715-0.0007·X for girls, where X is the sum of the triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (mm) for boys and girls. Db estimated from the respective equation was correlated significantly with hydrodensitometrically determined Db (r=0.872, SEE=0.0089 for boys; r=0.722, SEE=0.0104 for girls) .
Furthermore, in a cross-validation analysis of prediction equations for Db developed in the present study, Db estimated from the respective equation was correlated highly with hydrodensitometrically determined Db (r=0.887 for boys and r=0.740 for girls) . There were no significant differences between the Db values predicted by the ST method against hydrodensitometrically determined Db values (difference values: 0.0012 for boys and 0.0013 for girls) . The final phase of this study was to develop more stable equations, combining validation and cross-validation samples. On the basis of the final analyses, we recommend the equations Y=1.0875-0.0010X and Y=1.0716-0.0007X, with SEE of 0.0088g/ml for boys and 0.0105g/ml for girls, respectively. It is suggested that the prediction equations finally developed in the present study will be applicable to junior high school boys and girls.

The tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance (BI) method has been proposed as a convenient, valid approach for estimating the body composition of normal healthy adults. However, the validity of the BI method has not yet been confirmed for Japanese junior high school boys and girls. The purpose of this study was to develop convenient and useful equations for predicting the body composition in junior high school boys and girls by the BI method. The subjects were 297 healthy boys and girls, aged 12.15 years, all of whom were Japanese. Impedance was measured using a tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance plethysmograph (800 pA, 50 kHz SIF-891) manufactured by Selco. Multiple regression analysis was used to derive prediction equations for Db that were specifically applicable to boys and girls. The effective prediction equations for Db were as follows : 1) Db=1.1860-0.1282 (Wt·Z) /Ht², and 2) Db=1.1402-0.0706 (Wt·Z) /Ht²-0.0007· (abdomen) for boys. 1) Db=1.1337-0.0778 (Wt·Z) /Ht², and 2) Db=1.1124-0.0498 (Wt·Z) /Ht²-0.0006· (subscapular) for girls, where Db=body density (g/ml), Wt=weight (kg), Z =impedance (ohms), Ht=height (cm) . Db estimated by each respective equation was highly correlated with body density measured by underwater weighing (UW-Db) : 1) r=0.881, SEE=0.00868/ml, 2) r=0.902, SEE=0.00788/nil for boys and 1) r= 0.741, SEE=0.0101 g/ml, 2) r=0.775, SEE =0.0095g/ml for girls. Furthermore, in a cross-validation analysis of prediction equations for Db, another sample consisting of 40 boys and 66 girls was used. Db estimated from each respective equation was correlated highly with UW-Db : 1) r=0.856, 2) r=0.887 for boys and 1) r=0.837, 2) r=0.860 for girls. There were no significant differences between the mean Db obtained by the BI method and that by the criterion method. We suggest that the prediction equations proposed in this study are useful for valid assessment of body composition of Japanese junior high school boys and girls aged 12 through 15 years.

Objective: The psychophysiological and immunological effects of exposure to different varieties of essential oils on fatigue were extensively investigated in students performing personal computer tasks.
Design: Randomized crossover study
Methods: This study was approved by the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Research Ethics Committee, and informed consents were obtained from all subjects. Eight healthy male university students with mean age of 22.38±1.30 (range 21–24) who served as the subjects in this study were given a 120-minute personal computer task with 10-minute rest period before and after the task.
During the course of performing PC task, subjects were either exposed to one of the five essential oil odors (grapefruit, peppermint, true lavender, blend A, blend B) or not exposed to any odor at all, serving as the control in the study. Each of the six odor setting were carried out on separate days upon which psychophysiological and immunological parameters of fatigue in the subjects were evaluated.
Results and Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that exposure to essential oil odors affects the autonomic nervous and immunological system when engaged in a personal computer task. Moreover, different varieties of essential oils cause different vital reactions. In particular, peppermint essential oil exhibits fatigue-reducing effects.

At Tokyo Women's Medical University, our curriculum for first-year students is designed to teach the dynamics and etiquette of human relations. During the third year, medical students are expected to anticipate and plan effective therapeutic communication and interaction with patients. A discussion group of 6 students and a member of the human-relations committee first clarify the purpose and develop the training; students then independently participate in human-relations training during the summer vacation. After training, experiences are discussed during class. Although this curriculum has been used for some 10 years, its benefits have been assumed but not validated. We used student reports and questionnaires to examine the effects of this curriculum. The results clearly show that planning and training give the students an opportunity to learn how to establish an effective physician-patient relationship.

Aim: AS stated in the past reports that approx, 75% of hralthy adulte have experienced it, headache is a symptom often experienced in the crinical peactice of acupuncture.
Effects of acupunctural therapy against headache hace already been reported in many cases, but few reports hace been published so far on the use of acupunctural stimulation for the purpose of diagnosis. In the past 15 years, we used the acupunctural stimulation dor diagnosis of tinnitus and headache and ecaluated the meanings of uts use.
In the present study, we examind the cases whose pains could be reproduced by the acupunctula stimulation in the patients with pain who were introduced to us for diagnosis from the Department of otorhinolaryngology of our hospital.
Ptients and method: Of the patients with pain as the chige complaints whise diagmoses were requested to the Oriental Medicine clinic from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Showa University since April 1982 up until October 1990, thise whi complained of facial pain were subjected to our diagnosis, previding that they had no abnormalities in the otorhinolaryngological and ophthalmological checks.
A stainless steel needle (50mm Mo. 20) was usedfor theusting into block points of greater occiptal nerce and the possible relationship between the pain and the sense of reacting sense was examind at the time of thrusting.
Results: 1) It could be reconfirmed that the reacting sensation was produced deep in the inner part and in the epicanthal area of eyes by the neadle thrusting to block points of the greater occipital berce. 2) Ammong the patients who had been teated nefor against trigeminal neuralgia or what were claimed to be pains of eyes of buknown causes, there were cases withe pains coincidental with pathological symptoms such a manner that the reacting sensation by the neadle thrusting (1) resembled the nature of the pain and (2) wads coincidental with that of the affected regions, and (3) the pain could be reproduced by the acupunctural stimulatiom in synchronization with the acupuncturalhandling of the neadle. 3) The efficary of the acupunctueal treatments was higher in those whose pains could be reproducedby the acupunctueal stimulation.
Summaary: The stimulations to the block points of the greater occipital berve caused reacting sessation deep in the inner part of eyes. By utilizing this sensation for diagnostic purposes, sone cases could be properly diagnosed. On the ground of these fundungs it can be claimed that the acupunctueal stimulation according to the method in our present study would be one of the useful methods for cheeck of the pain and also for therapeutic treatment in view of the therapeutic meanings of the findings described in the subparagraphe of (1) through (3) in the paragraph 2) and in the paragraph 3) of the above-mentioned “Results”.

Purpose: Hiccups are a symptom that often appear in lung cancer patients during medical treatment. Although various drugs and non-pharmacologic therapies are used to treat them, they often are not effective. We report 2 cases of successful treatment for refractory hiccups due to chemotherapy for lung cancer using pregabalin. Case report: Both patients had advanced squamous lung cancer. That in case 1 was treated using chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel, while the case 2 received nedaplatin and irinotecan. Hiccups occurred and became exacerbated during chemotherapy in both, and were considered to be induced by the anticancer drugs. Separate treatments with metoclopramide, chlorpromazine, and gabapentin did not have any effect, whereas immediate improvement was seen after taking pregabalin in both cases. Conclusion: Pregabalin, often used as an adjuvant analgesic, controls excessive neuronal excitement. In the present cases, effective relief of refractory hiccups was seen.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is an adult-onset, progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Patients with MSA show various phenotypes during the course of their illness, including parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, autonomic failure, and pyramidal signs. Patients with MSA sometimes present with isolated autonomic failure or motor symptoms/signs. The median duration from onset to the concomitant appearance of motor and autonomic symptoms is approximately 2 years but can range up to 14 years. As the presence of both motor and autonomic symptoms is essential for the current diagnostic criteria, early diagnosis is difficult when patients present with isolated autonomic failure or motor symptoms/signs. In contrast, patients with MSA may show severe autonomic failure and die before the presentation of motor symptoms/signs, which are currently required for the diagnosis of MSA. Recent studies have also revealed that patients with MSA may show nonsupporting features of MSA such as dementia, hallucinations, and vertical gaze palsy. To establish early diagnostic criteria and clinically definitive categorization for the successful development of disease-modifying therapy or symptomatic interventions for MSA, research should focus on the isolated phase and atypical symptoms to develop specific clinical, imaging, and fluid biomarkers that satisfy the requirements for objectivity, for semi- or quantitative measurements, and for uncomplicated, worldwide availability. Several novel techniques, such as automated compartmentalization of the brain into multiple parcels for the quantification of gray and white matter volumes on an individual basis and the visualization of α-synuclein and other candidate serum and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, may be promising for the early and clinically definitive diagnosis of MSA.
Biomarkers ; Brain ; Cerebellar Ataxia ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Dementia ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Hallucinations ; Humans ; Multiple System Atrophy ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Paralysis ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; Phenotype ; White Matter

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that ketamine, when administered as the anesthetic induction agent, may prevent cardiovascular depression during high-dose remifentanil administration, unlike propofol. To test our hypothesis, we retrospectively compared the hemodynamic effects of ketamine, during high-dose remifentanil administration, with those of propofol. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients who underwent oral surgery at the Nagasaki University Hospital between April 2014 and June 2015 were included in this study. Anesthesia was induced by the following procedure: First, high-dose remifentanil (0.3-0.5 µg/kg/min) was administered 2-3 min before anesthesia induction; next, the anesthetic induction agent, either propofol (Group P) or ketamine (Group K), was administered. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the heart rate were recorded by the automated anesthesia recording system at four time points: immediately before the administration of high-dose remifentanil (T1); immediately before the administration of propofol or ketamine (T2); 2.5 min (T3), and 5 min (T4) after the administration of the anesthetic induction agent. RESULTS: In Group P, the MAP at T3 (75.7 ± 15.5 mmHg, P = 0.0015) and T4 (68.3 ± 12.5 mmHg, P < 0.001) were significantly lower than those at T1 (94.0 ± 12.4 mmHg). However, the MAP values in the K group were very similar (P = 0.133) at all time points. The heart rates in both Groups P (P = 0.254) and K (P = 0.859) remained unchanged over time. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that ketamine, when administered as the anesthetic induction agent during high-dose remifentanil administration, prevents cardiovascular depression.
Anesthesia ; Arterial Pressure ; Depression ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Ketamine* ; Propofol* ; Retrospective Studies* ; Surgery, Oral