Objective-NADH/NADPH oxidase is an important source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vasculature. Recently, we demonstrated that p22 phox , an essential component of this oxidase, was expressed in human coronary arteries and that its expression was enhanced with the progression of atherosclerosis. The present study was undertaken to investigate its functional importance in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. For this aim, the expression of p22 phox , the distribution of oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL), and the generation of ROS in directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) specimens were examined. Methods and Results-DCA specimens were obtained from patients with stable or unstable angina pectoris. The distribution of p22 phox and of oxidized LDL was examined by immunohistochemistry. The generation of superoxide in DCA specimens was assessed by the dihydroethidium method and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. ROS were closely associated with the distribution of p22 phox and oxidized LDL. Not only inflammatory cells but also smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts generated ROS. There was a correlation between ROS and the expression of p22 phox or oxidized LDL. The generation of ROS was significantly higher in unstable angina pectoris compared with stable angina pectoris. Conclusions-ROS generated by p22phox -based NADH/NADPH oxidase likely mediate the oxidative modification of LDL and might play a major role in pathogenesis of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol.

In phytotherapy, essential oils tend to be used daily for a period of days or weeks, rather than in a single application. However, the literature contains very little information on repeated use of essential oils. In this study, we investigated the effects on behavior and the accumulation in the brain and liver of α-pinene, an essential oil component, when inhaled by mice. Animals were individually housed in cages for 1 week. Mice inhaled α-pinene or water vapor (negative control) for 90 min/day for 1 day, 3 days, or 5 days, and they were then submitted to the elevated plus maze test for 10 min. We used gas chromatography with flame ionization detection to quantify concentrations of α-pinene in the brain and liver. There was significant anxiolytic-like activity, which remained constant for the 5 days’ inhalation of α-pinene. On the other hand, the accumulation of α-pinene in the brain and liver peaked on the third day of inhalation. The existence of stress related to the new environment appears to have affected the change in the accumulation of α-pinene in the internal organs, keeping the anxiolytic-like action constant.

Seasonal and long-term changes in surface cover of aquatic plants in a shallow pond, Abstract Seasonal changes in surface cover and long-term floral changes in aquatic plants of a shallow eutrophic pond, Ojaga-ike, as well as the phenology of each species, were studied . Out of ten floating-leaved and submerged plants, the following five species showed a change in surface cover during 1978 : Potamogeton crispus and Elodea nuttallii occupied 53 .5% of the total pond surface in May, Trapa natans and Nelumbo nucifera 79 .1% in July, N. nucifera and Hydrilla verticillata 62 .0% in September and N. nucifera 41 .2% in November . In addition to dramatic seasonal changes in surface cover, long-term floral changes occurred in this pond from 1971 onwards . While Nymphoides indica, Myriophyllum spicatum and H. verticillata decreased in number and in distribution ranges between 1971 and 1978, two newly established plants, N. nucifera and E. nuttallii, have now become dominant . The alteration in dominance may be due to water level fluctuations and interspecific competition for light . Seasonal changes in water quality during the study period are also summarized .

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