Search

Background Phantom bite syndrome (PBS) is characterized by an uncomfortable sensation during occlusion without any evident abnormality. A recent case-control study with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer could not find the specific features of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), which might be due to the heterogeneity of PBS. We analyzed the brain images of PBS corresponding to the clinical features by studying PBS subgroups. Methods This study contributes to elucidating the pathophysiology of PBS by evaluating regional brain perfusion on SPECT and its clinical features. We performed SPECT using 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer in 44 patients with PBS. The SPECT images were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results Asymmetrical rCBF patterns were detected, corresponding to symptom laterality. Patients with PBS with right-side symptoms showed right-side-predominant rCBF asymmetry in the parietal region and left-side-predominant rCBF asymmetry in the thalamus, and vice versa. Moreover, the analysis of the association between rCBF and patient behaviors revealed that patients who blamed their dentists for their symptoms tended to have a symmetrical rCBF pattern. Conclusion Patients with PBS showed blood flow imbalance in the thalamus and parietal region corresponding to symptom laterality. There are two types of symmetrical and asymmetrical rCBF patterns in the pathophysiology of PBS despite similar clinical manifestations.

Background Persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) is the unexplained pain along the territory of the trigeminal nerve, including nonorganic tooth pain called atypical odontalgia (AO). Though PIFP is debilitating to patients’ livelihood and well-being, its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Although neurovascular compression (NVC) of the trigeminal nerve is known to be associated with trigeminal neuralgia (TN), the relationship between NVC and other orofacial pains has not been fully elucidated. Methods In this study, we investigated the differences in the characteristics of PIFP (primarily AO) patients in the presence or absence of NVC. A retrospective analysis was performed on data from 121 consecutive patients who had been diagnosed with unilateral PIFP according to the criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)–3 and underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans of the head. Results In the group without NVC, characteristic findings were significant for psychiatric morbidity, somatization, and pain disability, when compared with the group with NVC. Furthermore, the group without NVC exhibited significant headache, noncardiac chest pain, shortness of breath, and pain catastrophizing. Conclusions These results suggest that PIFP patients can be divided into two groups: one consistent with a neuropathic pain phenotype when NVC is present and a functional somatic symptom phenotype when presenting without NVC. Our findings may enable a more precise understanding of pathophysiology of PIFP and lead to better treatment strategies.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is defined by chronic oral burning sensations without any corresponding abnormalities. Besides amitriptyline, aripiprazole has been reported as a possible medication to manage BMS. However, especially for elderly patients, the adverse events of these medications would be a problem. The aim of the present study was to investigate the differences in the effectiveness and adverse events of amitriptyline and aripiprazole in very elderly patients with BMS. This is a retrospective comparative study of 80 years old and older patients with BMS who were initially treated with amitriptyline or aripiprazole and who were new outpatients of our department from April 2017 to March 2020. All clinical data, including sex, age, comorbid physical diseases, comorbid psychiatric disorders, the prescribed doses (initial, maximum, and effective dose), prognosis, and adverse events, were collected from their medical charts. Each medication was selected considering their medical history. Amitriptyline was prescribed in 13 patients (11 women, 82.3 ± 2.1 years old) and aripiprazole was prescribed in 27 patients (26 women, 84.2 ± 3.8 years old). There were no significant between-group differences in sex, age, duration of illness, pain intensity, salivation, and psychiatric comorbidity at the first examination. Amitriptyline clinically improved more patients (7 patients, 53.8%) with the effective dose of 10 (7.5, 15.0) mg than aripiprazole (11 patients, 40.7%) of which the effective dose was 1.0 (0.5, 1.5) mg, although there were no significant between-group differences. The adverse events of amitriptyline were found in 9 patients (69.2%) and most patients had constipation (46.2%). For aripiprazole, 7 patients (25.9%) showed adverse events, most of them reported sleep disorder (11.1%). Amitriptyline had significantly longer duration taking medication (p = 0.021) and lower discontinuation (p = 0.043) despite of higher occurrence rate of adverse events (p = 0.015) compared to aripiprazole. These results suggest that both psychopharmacotherapies with a low dose of amitriptyline and aripiprazole are effective for the very elderly patients with BMS. Furthermore, aripiprazole may have some advantages in the adverse events compared to amitriptyline; however, the low dose amitriptyline monotherapy may have more benefit in the effectiveness and tolerability over prudent collaboration with primary physicians.

Objectives: So far, the strong link between neuroticism, chronic pain, and depression has been well-documented in literatures. Some suggested that they might share etiological factors, thus resulting in overlapping constructs. However, such effect has never been tested in burning mouth syndrome (BMS) patients, a complex phenomenon influenced by both neuropathic and psychopathological factors. We aim to clarify how personality affects individual's pain and pain-related experiences.Methods: Two hundred forty-eight patients with BMS provided demographic information and psychiatric history; completed Ten-Item Personality Inventory, a Visual Analog Scale of pain, and McGill Pain Questionnaire; and provided adequate parameters of depressive state, catastrophizing thinking, and central sensitization.Results: BMS patients with depression history suffered more severe clinical symptoms and scored higher in neuroticism and less in openness and extraversion than did those without psychiatric diagnoses. After age, sex, and duration of pain were controlled, neuroticism in BMS patients with depression correlates with affective dimension of pain. Instead, if psychiatric history is absent, neuroticism correlates with sensory dimension and pain intensity. In both groups, higher neuroticism, unlike other personality facets, contributed to a more severe clinical condition.Conclusion: Of the five traits, neuroticism appears to be the most crucial dimension associated with the pain symptoms and patient's conditions. This study implies that management of pain must extend beyond solely providing pain-relieving medication and must require a holistic and multidisciplinary approach.

Objective To assess the therapeutic dose and safety of amitriptyline and the outcome following treatment with amitriptyline among older patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Methods 187 consecutive patients were prescribed amitriptyline as a first-line medication from April 2016 to September 2018 and followed-up for >1 month. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1, 113 patients aged

Objectives: There has been considerable research which has focused on clarifying the origin of pain in patients with atypical odontalgia (AO), also known as “idiopathic toothache”, and on identifying effective treatment, but there has been limited success so far. In this study, we assessed the outcomes of treatment and attempted to identify factors that could account for pain remission in patients with AO. Patients and methods: Data for 165 patients diagnosed with AO from June 2015 to August 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients’ sex, age, duration of pain, and psychiatric history were collected, along with information on pain intensity, depressive status, and catastrophizing scores. Responses at 4 and 16 weeks from the start of treatment were observed. The associations between potentially associated factors and outcome were investigated using Bayesian model averaging. Results: A 30% reduction in pain was reported by 38 patients (46.3%) at 4 weeks and by 54 patients (65.9%) at 16 weeks. The pain intensity decreased as the depression and catastrophizing score improved; all of the changes were statistically significant (P

Background: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a common condition of predominant oral pain without evident cause, that maxillofacial surgeons and otolaryngologists often refer to psychiatrists as somatic symptom disorder. In very rare cases, its typical burning symptom mimics those of other diseases in which serious fatal comorbidities may be missed. We encountered three rare cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with the first symptom of burning tongue.Case Presentation: Case 1: A 68-year-old woman had burning pain on the left lingual margin for 8 years. Antidepressant treatment was not efficacious. Cytology and biopsy revealed OSCC. Case 2: A 70-year-old man had burning sensation and paralysis of the tongue for 6 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 37 × 23-mm mass under the floor of the mouth and enlargement of lymph nodes on both sides. Case 3: A 90-year-old man had burning sensation of the tongue for 1 year. MRI revealed a 12 × 12-mm mass on the mandible with bone absorption.Conclusion: This case series suggests that psychiatrists must always be careful in regarding BMS as somatic symptom disorder and be cautious of the possibility of OSCC, especially in elderly patients.

Background: Vestibular schwannoma (VS) or acoustic neuroma is a benign brain tumor. Despite improvements in surgical technique, the removal of VS is related to some complications of which the recovery is difficult and sometimes lead to permanent deficits. About 10.7% of complication of vestibular schwannoma surgery is reported to affect facial or tongue area, including numbness of pain, which is similar to a typical symptom of burning mouth syndrome (BMS). However, up to our knowledge, there is no documented case of BMS either comorbid with vestibular schwannoma or occur due to surgery complications. Clinical Presentation: A 46-year-old woman complained about left-sided facial pain, a burning sensation on the left side of her tongue and maxilla, and a spontaneous bitter taste. Four years before her first visit to our clinic, left-sided facial pain and burning sensation on the left side of the tongue suddenly became severe. She visited a neurosurgeon and VS was found in the left cerebellopontine angle. After the tumor was removed, facial pain, burning sensation of the tongue, and bitter taste improved simultaneously but quickly recurred after a while. The patient had a panic attack because of severe pain and started visiting a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist diagnosed her as having somatic symptom disorder and depression, prescribing sertraline 100 mg, zolpidem 5 mg, and lorazepam 1.0 mg and referred her to our clinic. At the first visit, no abnormal intraoral nor extraoral findings were detected. Based on the characteristics of the pain, we made a diagnose of BMS. Amitriptyline was initiated at 10 mg/day and increased to 30 m. Within 1.5 months, the pain and burning sensation of the tongue and maxilla almost remitted completely, whereas bitter taste showed moderate improvement. Conclusions: Our case suggests there might be an exceptional case in which BMS and VS can occur simultaneously. Specifically, an oral burning sensation and dysgeusia after VS surgery are not always a case of surgical complication or untreatable.

Background Phantom bite syndrome (PBS) is characterized by an uncomfortable sensation during occlusion without any evident abnormality. A recent case–control study with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer could not find the specific features of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), which might be due to the heterogeneity of PBS. We analyzed the brain images of PBS corresponding to the clinical features by studying PBS subgroups. Methods This study contributes to elucidating the pathophysiology of PBS by evaluating regional brain perfusion on SPECT and its clinical features. We performed SPECT using 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer in 44 patients with PBS. The SPECT images were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results Asymmetrical rCBF patterns were detected, corresponding to symptom laterality. Patients with PBS with right-side symptoms showed right-side-predominant rCBF asymmetry in the parietal region and left-side-predominant rCBF asymmetry in the thalamus, and vice versa. Moreover, the analysis of the association between rCBF and patient behaviors revealed that patients who blamed their dentists for their symptoms tended to have a symmetrical rCBF pattern. Conclusion Patients with PBS showed blood flow imbalance in the thalamus and parietal region corresponding to symptom laterality. There are two types of symmetrical and asymmetrical rCBF patterns in the pathophysiology of PBS despite similar clinical manifestations.

Yojiro Umezaki,1 Anna Miura,2 Yukiko Shinohara,2 Lou Mikuzuki,2 Shiori Sugawara,2 Kaoru Kawasaki,2 Trang TH Tu,2 Takeshi Watanabe,2 Takayuki Suga,2 Motoko Watanabe,3 Miho Takenoshita,2 Tatsuya Yoshikawa,2 Akihito Uezato,4 Toru Nishikawa,4 Ken Hoshiko,5 Toru Naito,1 Haruhiko Motomura,2 Akira Toyofuku2 1Section of Geriatric Dentistry, Department of General Dentistry, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan; 2Department of Psychosomatic Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan; 3Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo, Japan; 4Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan; 5Department of Pharmacy, Dental Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan Objective: Oral cenesthopathy is characterized by foreign body sensations without medical and dental evidence for them. It is thought to be a rare disease in psychiatry, but many patients are visiting dental clinics seeking treatment to remove a foreign body. Even though the features of oral cenesthopathy might be different between a psychiatric clinic and a dental clinic, there has been no clinico-statistical study from dentists. In this study, we report a clinico-statistical study of patients with oral cenesthopathy in dentistry. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of 606 outpatients with oral cenesthopathy in Tokyo Medical and Dental University from April 2010 through to March 2015. Results: A total of 159 male and 447 female patients were included in this study. The mean age was 62.08 years, and female patients were older than male patients. The trigger of the dental treatment and the acute phase of depression at the onset were significantly related (p=0.037). Only 128 patients (36%) had clinically significant improvement after 6 months of pharmacotherapy. No history of psychiatric disorders (odds ratio [OR] 0.479 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.262–0.875], p=0.017) and longer duration of illness (>18 months) (OR 2.626 [95% CI: 1.437–4.799], p=0.002) were significant factors for clinical outcomes. Conclusion: Patients with oral cenesthopathy in our clinic were predominantly elderly female patients. Dental treatment in the acute phase of depression might be a risk factor for oral cenesthopathy. Therefore, comprehending the situation of psychiatric disorder and obtaining adequate informed consent might be required to prevent the trouble concerning oral cenesthopathy. Keywords: oral cenesthopathy, delusional disorder somatic type, DDST, chart review, dentistry

Objective: This study aimed (1) to investigate the differences in clinical characteristics of patients between 2 groups, those who have atypical odontalgia (AO) only and those who have AO with burning mouth syndrome (BMS), and (2) to assess the influence of psychiatric comorbidity factors on patients' experiences. Method: Medical records and psychiatric referral forms of patients visiting the Psychosomatic Dentistry Clinic of Tokyo Medical and Dental University between 2013 and 2016 were reviewed. The final sample included 2 groups of 355 patients: those who have AO only (n = 272) and those who have AO with BMS (AO-BMS; n = 83). Clinicodemographic variables (gender, age, comorbid psychiatric disorders, and history of headache or sleep disturbances) and pain variables (duration of illness, pain intensity, and severity of accompanying depression) were collected. Initial pain assessment was done using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and depressive state was determined using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Results: The average age, female ratio, and sleep disturbance prevalence in the AO-only group were significantly lower than those in AO-BMS group. AO-BMS patients rated overall pain score and present pain intensity significantly higher than did the AO-only patients (P = 0.033 and P = 0.034, respectively), emphasizing sharp (P = 0.049), hot-burning (P = 0.000), and splitting (P = 0.003) characteristics of pain. Patients having comorbid psychiatric disorders had a higher proportion of sleep disturbance in both groups and a higher proportion of depressive state in the AO-only group. Conclusions: AO-BMS patients have different epidemiological characteristics, sleep quality, and pain experiences compared to AO-only patients. The presence of psychiatric comorbidities in both groups may exacerbate sleep quality. We suggest that BMS as a comorbid oral disorder in AO patients contributes to a more intensively painful experience.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by a burning sensation of the oral mucosa in the absence of underlying causes. BMS patients can pose a therapeutic challenge to clinicians. Amitriptyline has been a first-line treatment for BMS and is known to prolong corrected QT interval (QTc) in a dose dependent manner. However, little is known about the QTc lengthening effect of amitriptyline at analgesic dosages. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in QTc in female BMS patients treated with amitriptyline. We conducted a single-center retrospective observational study and evaluated 40 female BMS patients. The QTc interval did not show statistically significant increase with amitriptyline (p=0.1502). However, the change in QTc of amitriptyline-responders was significantly longer than that of nonresponders (p=0.0142). The change in QTc may be a non-invasive maker of clinical responses to amitriptyline in female BMS patients.

The passivation of GaAs surface by either S or Se has received considerable attention. It has long been thought that the Se- or S-treated GaAs(111)B-(1×1) surface has a simple structure, the Se- or S-terminated model. Recently, the atomic structure of the Se-treated GaAs(111)B surface has been revisited and another structure model of the Se-treated surface has been proposed, the mixed Se/As-terminated model. It has been reported in our previous study that the Se-terminated and the mixed Se/As-terminated surfaces are stable in the phase diagram at OK as functions of the chemical potentials of Se and As. In this study, we have investigated the stability of Se-or S-treated GaAs(111)B surface structures by considering the influence of growth conditions, such as a partial pressure of the gas molecule and a growth temperature using the first-principles calculations within the density functional theory. We have found that the mixed Se/As-terminated surface is stable, being consistent with the recent experimental results. Surprisingly, the Se-terminated surface becomes stable as the Se pressure increases, even though this surface does not satisfy the so-called electron-counting rule.

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS), a chronic intraoral burning sensation or dysesthesia without clinically evident causes, is one of the most common medically unexplained oral symptoms/syndromes. Even though the clinical features of BMS have been astonishingly common and consistent throughout the world for hundreds of years, BMS remains an enigma and has evolved to more intractable condition. In fact, there is a large and growing number of elderly BMS patients for whom the disease is accompanied by systemic diseases, in addition to aging physical change, which makes the diagnosis and treatment of BMS more difficult. Because the biggest barrier preventing us from finding the core pathophysiology and best therapy for BMS seems to be its heterogeneity, this syndrome remains challenging for clinicians. In this review, we discuss currently hopeful management strategies, including central neuromodulators (Tricyclic Antidepressants - TCAs, Serotonin, and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors - SNRIs, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - SSRIs, Clonazepam) and solutions for applying non-pharmacology approaches. Moreover, we also emphasize the important role of patient education and anxiety management to improve the patients’ quality of life. A combination of optimized medication with a short-term supportive psychotherapeutic approach might be a useful solution.

Objective Atypical Odontalgia (AO) is a condition characterized by tooth pain with no apparent cause. Although psychiatric comorbidity seems to be very common, it has rarely been studied. To clarify the influence of psychiatric comorbidity on the clinical features in patients with AO, we retrospectively evaluated their examination records. Methods Clinical features and psychiatric diagnoses of 383 patients with AO were investigated by reviewing patients' medical records and referral letters. Psychiatric diagnoses were categorized according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). We also analyzed visual analogue scale (VAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), and the short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) scores. Results Of the 383 patients with AO, 177 (46.2%) had comorbid psychiatric disorders. The most common were depressive disorders (15.4%) and anxiety disorders (10.1%). Serious psychotic disorders such as bipolar disorder (3.0%) and schizophrenia (1.8%) were rare. Dental trigger of AO was reported in 217 (56.7%) patients. There were no significant correlations between psychiatric comorbidities and most of the demographic features. Higher VAS and SDS scores, higher frequency of sleep disturbance, and higher ratings of “Fearful” and “Punishing-cruel” descriptors of the SF-MPQ were found in patients with psychiatric comorbidity. Conclusions About half of AO patients had comorbid psychiatric disorders. Dental procedures are not necessarily causative factors of AO. In AO patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders, pain might have a larger emotional component than a sensory one. VAS, SDS, and SF-MPQ scores might aid in the noticing of underlying comorbid psychiatric disorders in AO patients.

Objective Oral epithelial cells act not only as mechanical barriers but also as immunological barriers by producing various mediators such as cytokines. Since, in periodontal disease, limited information is available regarding the role of oral epithelial cell-derived cytokines on T cell activation, we investigated the responses of human T cells (Jurkat cell) to cytokines in KB cells (an oral epithelial cell line) that had been stimulated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Design To evaluate T cell activation in response to the culture supernatant of KB cells, we examined cell proliferation and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production, which is closely related to periodontal disease, in Jurkat cells. Culture supernatant of LPS-stimulated KB cells enhanced cell proliferation and IFN-γ production in Jurkat cells. To determine the active component within the culture supernatant, the production of epithelial cell-derived cytokines, interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-15 and IL-18, in LPS-stimulated KB cells was analysed. Results IL-15, but not IL-18, was significantly increased in the culture supernatant of LPS-stimulated KB cells. Moreover, additional anti-IL-15 neutralizing antibody abolished culture supernatant-induced IFN-γ expression in Jurkat cells. Conclusion These results suggest that periodontal pathogens induce the production of IL-15 from epithelial cells, and leading the activation of T cells in periodontal lesions.

5-(3'-Hydroxyphenyl)pentanoic acid (1) and 5-(3'-methoxyphenyl)pentanoic acid (2) occurring in the roots of Athyrium yokoscense showed transport activity to alkaline and alkaline earth metal ions and heavy divalent metal ions.

Interleukin (IL)-1 is closely related to the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. IL-1 levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of subjects with periodontitis are higher than those in periodontally healthy controls, and the levels of IL-1 correlate with disease severity. However, soluble IL-1 receptor type II (sIL-1RII), which acts as a decoy receptor for IL-1s, has not been investigated in detail in periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to measure sIL-1RII levels in the GCF of subjects with chronic or aggressive periodontitis; the correlation between the sIL-1RII levels in GCF and clinical parameters also was examined.IL-1beta and sIL-1RII were measured in 64 GCF samples collected from 47 subjects with chronic periodontitis (CP) and 17 subjects with aggressive periodontitis (AgP). The clinical characteristics of each site were recorded at the time of GCF sampling. IL-1beta and sIL-1RII were measured by specific non-cross-reactive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The disease severity was comparable in CP and AgP. IL-1beta was detected in 98% of CP GCF samples and 88% of AgP GCF samples. sIL-1RII was detected in 55% of CP GCF samples and 35% of AgP GCF samples. However, the concentrations of IL-beta and sIL-1RII detected in GCF from subjects with CP or AgP were similar.sIL-1RII was detected more often in CP GCF than in AgP GCF, and there was no correlation between GCF sIL-1RII concentration and clinical parameters.

SummaryCapsular polysaccharide from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4 (Y4 CP) induces bone resorption in a mouse organ culture system and osteoclast formation in mouse bone marrow cultures, as reported in previous studies. We also found that Y4 CP inhibits the release of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 from human gingival fibroblast (HGF). Thus Y4 CP induces various responses in localized tissue and leads to the secretion of several cytokines. However, the effects of Y4 CP on human monocytes/macrophages are still unclear. In this study, THP-1 cells, which are a human monocytic cell line, were stimulated with Y4 CP, and we measured gene expression in inflammatory cytokine and signal transduction pathways. IL-1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α mRNA were induced from Y4 CP-treated THP-1 cells. IL-1β mRNA expression was increased according to the dose of Y4 CP, and in a time-dependent manner. IL-1β mRNA expression induced by Y4 CP (100 µg/ml) was approximately 7- to 10-fold greater than that in the control by real-time PCR analysis. Furthermore, neither PD98059, a specific inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase nor SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 kinase prevented the IL-1β expression induced by Y4 CP. However, JNK Inhibitor II, a specific inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) prevented the IL-1β mRNA expression induced by Y4 CP in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that Y4 CP-mediated JNK pathways play an important role in the regulation of IL-1β mRNA. Therefore, Y4 CP-transduced signals for IL-1β induction in the antibacterial action of macrophages may provide a therapeutic strategy for periodontitis.

The question of why rotating detectors may respond even in the appropriate vacuum defined via canonical quantization has been a puzzle. We solve this puzzle by taking the recoil of the detector into account. The influence of the recoil, even in the limit of an infinite mass detector, appears in the response function. This enables the detector to respond in the vacuum if it is rotating, though in linear uniform motion it never responds in the vacuum, � � , � � �

An evanescent wave of ultraviolet light was successfully used to release biologically active molecules from caged compounds in living cells. The evanescent wave was generated by the total internal reflection in a limited region near the plasma membrane attached to the illuminated interface. At first, the photolysis efficiency of the evanescent wave of ultraviolet laser light was studied using caged glutamic acid in vitro. Then, caged Ca 2+ introduced in the living cultured cell was similarly photolyzed by the evanescent wave and the resulting elevations of the concentration of intracellular Ca 2+ in the proximity of the plasma membrane and in the cytosol were observed with a simultaneously introduced fluorescent calcium indicator. Inositol trisphosphate can also be photoreleased near the plasma membrane, which enables study of the temporal and spatial pathways of signal transduction. The method developed here provides a useful tool for studying signal transduction near the plasma membrane in a living cell.

–3-Hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-β-ionone (1) showing an inhibitory activity for lettuce seed germination was isolated from leaves of Athyrium yokoscense.

During the formation of neuromuscular junctions in Drosophila embryos, glutamate receptors undergo a drastic change in distribution. To study the underlying mechanism of this developmental process, it is desirable to map the distribution of functional receptors with accurate spatial resolution. Since glutamate receptors desensitize within several milliseconds, the agonist must be applied rapidly. To fulfil these requirements we used laser stimulation of a caged compound to release l -glutamate at a focal spot. Since the glutamate receptor channel is permeable to Ca 2+ , we assayed the change in internal Ca 2+ concentration using a Ca 2+ indicator, fluo-3. Using this approach, we mapped the distribution of functional glutamate receptors in cultured embryonic Drosophila myotubes and myoblasts. Consistent with previous immunofluorescence studies using an antibody against a glutamate receptor subunit, a large increase of internal Ca 2+ concentration was observed when laser stimulation was located close to some nuclei in the myotube. No change was detected when the laser stimulus was applied over any regions of the myoblasts. No increase of the internal Ca 2+ concentration in myotubes was observed when the external solution contained either glutamate at a desensitizing concentration (1 mM) or a glutamate receptor channel blocker, argiotoxin (1 μ g/ml). These results indicate that a rise in intracellular Ca 2+ concentration can be used to show the distribution of the functional receptor on the muscle surface membrane.

5-(3-Hydroxyphenyl)pentanoic acid (1) and 5-(3-methoxyphenyl)pentanoic acid (2) were isolated from the roots of Athyrium yokoscense as natural products. The biosynthetic pathway of 1 and 2 can be explained in terms of direct m-hydroxylation of benzoic acid.

The molecular structure of the biologically active diterpene alcohol isolated previously from the root-stalks of Dicranopteris pedata and Gleichenia japonica was confirmed to be (6S,13S)-cleroda-3,14-diene-6,13-diol by an X-ray crystallographic analysis, together with application of the octant rule to the Cotton effect observed in the CD spectrum of its 6-keto derivative. Further investigation of the root-stalks of D. pedata has resulted in the isolated two new glycosides, which were characterised as (6S,13S)-6-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1--4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl] 13-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1--4)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl] cleroda-3,14-diene and (6S,13S)-6-O-[beta-glucopyranosyl]-13-O-[beta-fucopyranosyl-(1--2) -alpha-rhamnopyranosyl]-cleroda-3,14-diene. Of these two glycosides, the former glycoside accelerated the growth of the stems of lettuce and inhibited the growth of the roots.

Arachisprenols 10–12 were characterized on the basis of their spectroscopic data.

Methyl p-hydroxycinnamate (1) showing an inhibitory activity for lettuce seed germination was isolated from the root-stalks of Gleichenia japonica. From the study on structure-activity relationship of 21 related compounds of 1, an o-hydroxyl or m-methoxyl group of the aromatic ring was found to be necessary for the strong inhibitory activity.

In this work, the first-ever growth of cubic-In2O3 at 1000 °C by halide vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) was achieved, using gaseous InCl and O2 as precursors in a N2 flow. The growth rates of In2O3 layers on (001) β-Ga2O3 and (0001) sapphire substrates were 4.1 and 5.1 µm/h, respectively, even at the high growth temperature applied, which are approximately half the growth rate of β-Ga2O3 homoepitaxially grown by HVPE at 1000 °C. Theoretical thermodynamic analyses were also conducted, and results confirmed the growth of In2O3 at temperatures above 1000 °C by HVPE. The as-grown In2O3 layers were light yellow-green in color. The In2O3 layers grown on the (001) β-Ga2O3 and (0001) sapphire substrates exhibited an optical absorption edge at about 370 nm, in addition to n-type conductivity with electron concentrations of 2.7 × 1018 and 1.7 × 1018 cm−3, and electron mobilities of 16.2 and 22.7 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively.

A microsomal preparation isolated from suspension cells of Nicotiana tabacum was able to catalyse the hydroxylation of terpineols and their acetates at the allylic positions. The hydroxylase activities depend strictly on the presence of NADPH as the reducing cofactor and on molecular oxygen as the oxygen donor. The hydroxylases were inhibited by cytochrome P-450 enzyme inhibitors, such as carbon monoxide, metyrapone and miconazole. Thus it was established that the hydroxylases are cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases.