scholarly journals Cortical and autonomic responses during staged Taoist meditation: two distinct meditation strategies.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Volodina ◽  
Nikolai Smetanin ◽  
Mikhail Lebedev ◽  
Alexei Ossadtchi
Keyword(s):  
Rhythmic Activity ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
The Other ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Autonomic Responses ◽  
Skin Response ◽  
Eeg Recordings ◽  
Meditation Experience ◽  
Physiological Markers ◽  
Concentration Patterns

Meditation is a consciousness state associated with specific physiological and neural correlates. Numerous investigations of these correlates reported controversial results which prevented a consistent depiction of the underlying neurophysiological processes. Here we investigated the dynamics of multiple neurophysiological indicators during a staged meditation session. We measured the physiological changes at rest and during the guided Taoist meditation in experienced meditators and naive subjects. We recorded EEG, respiration, galvanic skin response, and photoplethysmography. All subjects followed the same instructions split into 16 stages. In the experienced meditators group we identified two subgroups with different physiological markers dynamics. One subgroup showed several signs of general relaxation evident from the changes in heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and EEG rhythmic activity. The other subgroup exhibited mind concentration patterns primarily noticeable in the EEG recordings while no autonomic responses occurred. The duration and type of previous meditation experience or any baseline indicators we measured did not explain the segregation of the meditators into these two groups. These results suggest that two distinct meditation strategies could be used by experienced meditators, which partly explains the inconsistent results reported in the earlier studies evaluating meditation effects. Our findings are also relevant to the development of the high-end biofeedback systems.

scholarly journals Cortical and autonomic responses during staged Taoist meditation: Two distinct meditation strategies

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260626
Author(s):  
Maria Volodina ◽  
Nikolai Smetanin ◽  
Mikhail Lebedev ◽  
Alexei Ossadtchi
Keyword(s):  
Rhythmic Activity ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
The Other ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Autonomic Responses ◽  
Skin Response ◽  
Eeg Recordings ◽  
Meditation Experience ◽  
Physiological Markers ◽  
Concentration Patterns

Meditation is a consciousness state associated with specific physiological and neural correlates. Numerous investigations of these correlates reported controversial results which prevented a consistent depiction of the underlying neurophysiological processes. Here we investigated the dynamics of multiple neurophysiological indicators during a staged meditation session. We measured the physiological changes at rest and during the guided Taoist meditation in experienced meditators and naive subjects. We recorded EEG, respiration, galvanic skin response, and photoplethysmography. All subjects followed the same instructions split into 16 stages. In the experienced meditators group we identified two subgroups with different physiological markers dynamics. One subgroup showed several signs of general relaxation evident from the changes in heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and EEG rhythmic activity. The other subgroup exhibited mind concentration patterns primarily noticeable in the EEG recordings while no autonomic responses occurred. The duration and type of previous meditation experience or any baseline indicators we measured did not explain the segregation of the meditators into these two groups. These results suggest that two distinct meditation strategies could be used by experienced meditators, which partly explains the inconsistent results reported in the earlier studies evaluating meditation effects. Our findings are also relevant to the development of the high-end biofeedback systems.

618. Host-phage relationship of cheese starter organisms: I. Interaction of phage races with a strain of Streptococcus lactis and its lysogenic and resistant derivatives

1956 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Czulak ◽  
Jill Naylor
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Lactic Acid Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Strain ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Secondary Growth ◽  
The Other ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Streptococcus Lactis ◽  
Lysogenic Culture ◽  
Relationship Of

A lysogenic culture, prepared in the laboratory from a strain of Streptococcus lactis, was used as a cheese starter in commercial factories. It was attacked in turn by two other unrelated phage races. The lysogenic condition, which involved slight morphological and physiological changes, persisted in the subsequent forms resistant to one or both the new phage races. Acquired resistance to any one of the three phages did not protect the culture from the other two phages.In nature such interactions between phage races and lactic acid bacteria must be constantly taking place, giving rise to similarly related strains.Two of the three phage races produced spreading haloes around their plaques due to a lysin released during phage action. The lysin may also interfere with the survival of secondary growth after attack by these phage races. Production of this type of lysin is thus a property of the phage race and not of the bacterial strain.

scholarly journals Dodder-transmitted mobile signals prime host plants for enhanced salt tolerance

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 1171-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalan Li ◽  
Jingxiong Zhang ◽  
Hui Liu ◽  
Nian Liu ◽  
Guojing Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salt Stress ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Physiological Function ◽  
The Other ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Plant Signaling ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Salt Treatment ◽  
Systemic Signals

Abstract The dodders (Cuscuta spp.) are a genus of shoot parasites. In nature, a dodder often simultaneously parasitizes two or more neighboring hosts. Salt stress is a common abiotic stress for plants. It is unclear whether dodder transmits physiologically relevant salt stress-induced systemic signals among its hosts and whether these systemic signals affect the hosts’ tolerance to salt stress. Here, we simultaneously parasitized two or more cucumber plants with dodder. We found that salt treatment of one host highly primed the connected host, which showed strong decreases in the extent of leaf withering and cell death in response to subsequent salt stress. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that 24 h after salt treatment of one cucumber, the transcriptome of the other dodder-connected cucumber largely resembled that of the salt-treated one, indicating that inter-plant systemic signals primed these dodder-connected cucumbers at least partly through transcriptomic reconfiguration. Furthermore, salt treatment of one of the cucumbers induced physiological changes, including altered proline contents, stomatal conductance, and photosynthetic rates, in both of the dodder-connected cucumbers. This study reveals a role of dodder in mediating salt-induced inter-plant signaling among dodder-connected hosts and highlights the physiological function of these mobile signals in plant–plant interactions under salt stress.

scholarly journals An Investigation of the Side Effects, Patient Feedback, and Physiological Changes Associated with Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis C

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 4981
Author(s):  
Pin-Sheng Wu ◽  
Te-Sheng Chang ◽  
Sheng-Nan Lu ◽  
Hsiang-Jou Su ◽  
Shu-Zhi Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Virologic Response ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
High Cure ◽  
Patient Feedback ◽  
Direct Acting ◽  
Physiological Markers

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma globally. The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) with high cure rates provides an opportunity to reduce the rising HCV disease burden. However, few studies have explored the side effects and physiological benefits of DAA therapy in rural areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the subjective reports of discomfort, patient feedback about the course of treatment, and physiological changes after DAA treatment in HCV patients. Methods: A descriptive, prospective, comparative cohort study was conducted from January to August 2019 in western coastal Yunlin County, Taiwan. Data regarding demographic characteristics, subjective discomfort levels, and physiological responses were collected through face to face interviews and from medical records by a cooperating hospital. Results: Six-hundred-and-twenty-three participants with an active HCV infection were identified; 555 (89.1%) had completed treatment, and sustained virologic response was achieved in 99.6% (n = 553). The mean age was 64.9 (standard deviation = 13.1) years, and 35% of patients experienced discomfort during DAA treatment, including fatigue, itching, and dizziness. After three months of treatment, physiological markers, including body weight (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.05), blood pressure (p < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.001), and aspartate aminotransferase (p < 0.001), had significantly improved. Almost all participants provided positive feedback about the treatment experience and reported manageable side effects. Conclusions: The findings showed that, in an endemic rural area, DAA treatment had a high cure rate and improved physiological markers with few discomforts. These results can be used to reduce the barriers HCV patients face in adopting new medications.

Changes in the Activity of a CPG Neuron After the Reinforcement of an Operantly Conditioned Behavior in Lymnaea

2002 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 1915-1923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaynor E. Spencer ◽  
Mustapha H. Kazmi ◽  
Naweed I. Syed ◽  
Ken Lukowiak
Keyword(s):  
Operant Conditioning ◽  
Sensory Input ◽  
Lymnaea Stagnalis ◽  
Training Stimulus ◽  
Rhythmic Activity ◽  
Neural Correlates ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Conditioned Behavior ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Respiratory Behavior

We have previously shown that the aerial respiratory behavior of the mollusk Lymnaea stagnalis can be operantly conditioned, and the central pattern generating (CPG) neurons underlying this behavior have been identified. As neural correlates of operant conditioning remain poorly defined in both vertebrates and invertebrates, we have used the Lymnaea respiratory CPG to investigate neuronal changes associated with the change in behavior after conditioning. After operant conditioning of the intact animals, semi-intact preparations were dissected, so that changes in the respiratory behavior (pneumostome openings) and underlying activity of the identified CPG neuron, right pedal dorsal 1 (RPeD1), could be monitored simultaneously. RPeD1 was studied because it initiates the rhythmic activity of the CPG and receives chemo-sensory input from the pneumostome area. Pneumostome openings and RPeD1 activity were monitored both before and after a reinforcing training stimulus applied to the open pneumostome of operantly conditioned and yoked control preparations. After presentation of the reinforcing stimulus, there was a significant reduction in both breathing behavior and RPeD1 activity in operant preparations but not in yoked and naı̈ve controls. Furthermore these changes were only significant in the subgroup of operantly conditioned animals described as good learners and not in poor learners. These data strongly suggest that changes in RPeD1 activity may underlie the behavioral changes associated with the reinforcement of operant conditioning of the respiratory behavior.

Assessment of Autonomic Responses to Different Driving and Road Conditions

2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (37) ◽  
pp. 679-679
Author(s):  
Byung-Chan Min ◽  
Soon-Cheol Chung ◽  
Sang-Gyun Kim ◽  
Byung-Woon Min ◽  
Chul-Jung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Galvanic Skin Response ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Autonomic Responses ◽  
Skin Response ◽  
Curved Road

The purpose of this study was to compare changes in autonomic responses due to different driving and road conditions. We measured physiological responses of the 10 health subjects such as Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) and skin temperature in rest and stimulation conditions. The ratio of LF/HF significantly increased and averaged R-R interval decreased on the abrupt stopping and starting and abruptly curved road conditions, compared to other conditions. Mean value of GSR increased and mean value of skin temperature decreased in the abrupt stopping and starting and abruptly curved road conditions, compared to other conditions.

Epicardial coronary venous pressures: autonomic responses

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 698-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Klassen ◽  
J. A. Armour
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Vagal Stimulation ◽  
Venous Pressure ◽  
Outflow Tract ◽  
The Other ◽  
Sympathetic Stimulation ◽  
Pressure Regulation ◽  
Autonomic Responses ◽  
Intramyocardial Pressure

Intramyocardial, ventricular, aortic, and central and peripheral coronary artery as well as peripheral and central coronary venous pressures were measured simultaneously in dog hearts. A gradient of coronary vascular pressures was detected and quantitated. Stellate stimulation increased all pressures. Isoproterenol induced outflow tract obstructions so that aortic and central coronary artery pressures were unchanged while the other pressures increased. Vagal stimulation dissociated the intramyocardial venous pressure relationship in as much as arterial pressures decreased while epicardial coronary venous pressure was increased. These data suggest that coronary venous pressure in response to sympathetic stimulation increases as intramyocardial pressure increases. However, vagal stimulation permits a dissociation of these effects suggesting that coronary venous pressure regulation is complex.

scholarly journals Clinical-pathological and immunohistochemical evaluations of cardiac lesions in cats with chronic kidney disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 1002-1009
Author(s):  
Gabriela C. Cid ◽  
Mariana P.B. Jardim ◽  
Amanda C. Jesus ◽  
Samay Z.R. Costa ◽  
Ilka N. Gonçalves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Cardiac Troponin ◽  
Troponin C ◽  
The Other ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Pathological Findings ◽  
Cardiac Troponin C ◽  
Cardiac Evaluation ◽  
Cardiac Lesions

ABSTRACT: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by irreversible morphostructural lesions that can progressively evolve to chronic renal insufficiency and kidney failure. It is known that the heart and kidneys are closely related, and that communication between these organs occurs through a variety of pathways; subtle physiological changes in one of them are compensated by the other. Histopathological cardiac evaluation through routine staining presents a limitation to identify specific or discreet lesions in the cardiomyocytes. This study aimed to evaluate serum troponin levels in cats with CKD, associated with clinical and pathological findings, as well as to correlate the morphostructural cardiac lesions to determine their distribution through macroscopic and histological assessments and anti-cardiac troponin C (cTnC) immunohistochemistry (IHC). To this end, 20 cats (18 diagnosed with CKD and two controls) were selected. Anti-human cTnC IHC was conducted after necropsy and separation in eight regions of each collected heart. Heart fragments from two cats without CKD were used as controls. The anti-human cTnC antibody is useful in detecting cardiac lesions and has shown decreased expression in cardiomyocytes of cats with CKD. Serum troponin was above the reference values in 11/18 (61.11%) animals and decreased expression for the cTnC antibody was observed in individual cardiomyocytes in 9/18 (50%) animals. It was verified that the number of regions with decreased expression for the cTnC antibody in cardiomyocytes is significantly correlated with serum troponin. The anti-human cTnC antibody has been found effective in detecting cardiac lesions and has shown decreased expression in the cardiomyocytes of cats with CKD. Correlation was observed between increased serum cTnI and loss of immunoreactivity at anti-cTnC antibody IHC in cats with CKD, which proves damage to cardiomyocytes secondary to kidney disease.

scholarly journals The Sleep Modeling in the Human Organism

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 01-04
Author(s):  
Janos Vincze
Keyword(s):  
Slow Wave Sleep ◽  
Paradoxical Sleep ◽  
The Other ◽  
Human Organism ◽  
Deep Sleep ◽  
Natural Sleep ◽  
Sleep Analysis ◽  
Falling Asleep ◽  
Pleasant Surprise ◽  
Eeg Recordings

There are three alternating states of vigilance throughout our lives: wakefulness, NREM, and REM sleep. We usually yawn before falling asleep. Yawning is an ancient reaction, an instinctive action, manifested in a person by drowsiness or boredom. Yawning is often associated with the need for stretching. Yawning is a less strong territorial reflex. During deep sleep muscular tone is sharply reduced. Relaxation of the muscles and the lowering of their tone, howeever, are not constant and necessary components of sleep. Analysis of EEG recordings soon revealed that sleep is by no means a uniform process, but can be divided into at least two sharply separated states: one is characterized by slow waves in the EEG that are completely separate from the activity of wakefulness: this so-called slow wave sleep; the other is the so-called paradoxical sleep. Hypnopedia, as a discipline, deals with the input of fixed information introduced during the period of natural sleep, also known as sleep learning. Our hypnopedia researches was a pleasant surprise, because they were able to reproduce texts they did not know with an efficiency of approx. 25%.

scholarly journals Cuticle Differences during Ripening of Normal and rin Tomato Fruits

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 825A-825
Author(s):  
A. Mendoza-Wilson ◽  
J. Siller ◽  
E. Bringas ◽  
J. Ojeda ◽  
J. M. Báez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shelf Life ◽  
Mutant Gene ◽  
The Other ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Epicuticular Waxes ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Tomato Fruits ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Respiratory Behavior ◽  
Ripening Inhibitor

Ripening mutant gene rin (ripening inhibitor) in tomato inhibits, or greatly slows down, a wide range of processes related to ripening of the fruit, leading to a markedly extended shelf life. Although the use of films or coatings has been shown to retard ripening, the natural film that covers the fruit and delimits interchange with the environment, the cuticle, has not been well-characterized and related to ripening. The objective of this work was to characterize cuticle changes and establish their relationship with respiratory behavior. Turning tomato fruits with the gene rin, selection S-164 and normal tomato fruits were stored under marketing conditions (20C; 65% to 70% RH) to determine cuticular and physiological changes. Parameters evaluated were: cuticular weight changes (CW), permeability, soluble cuticular lipids (SCL), and epicuticular waxes (EW). In addition CO2 production was monitored every other day. Normal fruit increased in CW from 1.17 to 1.30 mg·/cm–2 and its EW from 11.49 to 24.49 μg·cm–2. On the other hand, rin tomatoes declined in CW and EW during storage. Both kind of fruits decreased their SCL content. Normal tomatoes exhibited the characteristic climacteric peak and showed an increase of cuticle permeability, while in rin tomatoes, these changes were not expressed.

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