宮崎 良文

The purpose of this study is to examine the physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest). The subjects were 12 male students (22.8±1.4 yr). On the first day of the experiments, one group of 6 subjects was sent to a forest area, and the other group of 6 subjects was sent to a city area. On the second day, each group was sent to the opposite area for a cross check. In the forenoon, the subjects were asked to walk around their given area for 20 minutes. In the afternoon, they were asked to sit on chairs and watch the landscapes of their given area for 20 minutes. Cerebral activity in the prefrontal area and salivary cortisol were measured as physiological indices in the morning at the place of accommodation, before and after walking in the forest or city areas during the forenoon, and before and after watching the landscapes in the afternoon in the forest and city areas, and in the evening at the place of accommodation. The results indicated that cerebral activity in the prefrontal area of the forest area group was significantly lower than that of the group in the city area after walking the concentration of salivary cortisol in the forest area group was significantly lower than that of the group in the city area before and after watching each landscape. The results of the physiological measurements show that Shinrin-yoku can effectively relax both people's body and spirit.

The physiological effects of "Shinrin-yoku" (taking in the atmosphere of the forest) were examined by investigating blood pressure, pulse rate, heart rate variability (HRV), salivary cortisol concentration, and immunoglobulin A concentration in saliva. Subjective feelings of being "comfortable", "calm", and "refreshed" were also assessed by questionnaire. The subjects were 12 male university students aged from 21 to 23 (mean±SD: 22.0±1.0). The physiological measurements were conducted six times, i.e., in the morning and evening before meals at the place of accommodation, before and after the subjects walked a predetermined course in the forest and city areas for 15 minutes, and before and after they sat still on a chair watching the scenery in the respective areas for 15 minutes. The findings were as follows. In the forest area compared to the city area, 1) blood pressure and pulse rate were significantly lower, and 2) the power of the HF component of the HRV tended to be higher and LF/(LF+HF) tended to be lower. Also, 3) salivary cortisol concentration was significantly lower in the forest area. These physiological responses suggest that sympathetic nervous activity was suppressed and parasympathetic nervous activity was enhanced in the forest area, and that "Shinrin-yoku" reduced stress levels. In the subjective evaluation, 4) "comfortable", "calm", and "refreshed" feelings were significantly higher in the forest area. The present study has, by conducting physiological investigations with subjective evaluations as supporting evidence, demonstrated the relaxing and stress-relieving effects of "Shinrin-yoku".

To suppress the activity of house dust mites in tatami mats, where they tend to breed, a tatami mat consisting of hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtuse) wood-wool was prepared. The suppressive effect of hinoki wood-wool on house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) was then measured. To investigate the effective period of the wood-wool on the mites, 5-day exposure tests were conducted every few weeks for a total of 52 weeks. In the tests of the first and sixth weeks, the activity of the mites was strongly suppressed, and no walking or moving mite was found after 5 days of exposure. The suppressive effect on mites was maintained for 52 weeks. It was concluded that using hinoki wood-wool to produce tatami mats is an effective method of suppressing the activity of mites for about 1 year.

To explore the effect of forest bathing on the human immune system, we investigated the effect of phytoncides (wood essential oils) on natural killer (NK) activity and the expression of perforin, granzyme A and granulysin in human NK cells. We used NK-92MI cell, an interleukin-2 independent human NK cell line derived from the NK-92 cell, in the present study. NK-92MI cells express the CD56 surface marker, perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin by flow cytometry and are highly cytotoxic to K562 cells in chromium release assay. Phytoncides significantly increase cytolytic activity of NK-92MI cells in a dose-dependent manner and significantly increase the expression of perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin in the NK-92MI cells. Phytoncides also partially, but significantly, restore the decreased human NK activity and the decreased perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin expression in NK-92MI cells induced by dimethyl 2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate ( DDVP), an organophosphorus pesticide. Pretreatment with phytoncides partially prevents DDVP-induced inhibition of NK activity. Taken together, these data indicate that phytoncides significantly enhance human NK activity and this effect is at least partially mediated by induction of intracellular perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin.

In Japan, forest-air bathing and walking (shinrin-yoku) has been proposed as a health-facilitating activity in which people spend a short period of time in a forest environment. Initially, we examined the usefulness of salivary amylase activity as an indicator of an individual's stress levels in a forest environment. The circadian rhythm of salivary amylase activity was measured in healthy young male subjects under stress-free conditions. The salivary amylase activity remained relatively constant throughout the day. Salivary amylase activity was then measured before and after walking in both urban and forest environments using a hand-held monitor. Our results indicated that (i) the circadian rhythm fluctuations in salivary amylase activity were much smaller than the stressor-induced variations; (ii) salivary amylase activity was an excellent indicator of the changes in sympathetic nervous activity; and (iii) the forest was a good environment in which people could experience much less environment-derived stress.

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of visual surroundings in the daily living environment by measuring the human physiological response. Two actual-size living rooms with different interior designs were created. Cerebral blood flow, pulse rate, and blood pressure were measured while the subjects spent 90 s in the rooms. There were no significant differences between the two rooms in subjective evaluation. However, the two rooms caused different physiological responses, i.e. the room with an ordinary interior design caused a calm and relaxed state, while the other room with visible wooden posts and beams caused an active and aroused state. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The purpose of this paper is to propose a tentative concept of physiological polymorphism and experimental approaches to it. We think that the concept of physiological polymorphism is to categorize the diversified phenomena into various types with statistical methods and to explain the differences among the categorized types from the viewpoint of their physiological mechanisms. Furthermore, it is necessary to take into consideration the fact that physiological polymorphism is observed as a phenotype, and the phenotype results from a genotype modified by culture and environment. As an experimental approach, we studied the effects of gustatory stimulation by chocolate on the activities of the prefrontal area and found that the activities were increased in some cases and decreased in other cases. Therefore, to begin with, when we divided them into an "increasing group" and a "decreasing group," we found that the increasing group had many subjects of Type B and High anxiety, and the decreasing group had many subjects of Type A and Normal anxiety. By the chi-square test for independence, it was found that the ratio of "increase" and "decrease" was related to the trait anxiety and type A personality, respectively. Next, we divided the activities of the prefrontal area into Type A and Type B, as well as a high anxiety group and a low anxiety group. As a result, the Type B and high anxiety groups showed significantly increased activities, while the Type A and normal anxiety groups showed no changes in their activities. Consequently, this data enabled us to explain the difference in activities of the prefrontal area from the viewpoint of personality characteristics. To conclude, we were able to categorize diversified changes in the prefrontal area into certain types when a gustatory stimulus was applied, and to explain them by using personality characteristics (State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Type A behavioral pattern) that are commonly known for their reflection of genotypes.

Near-infrared time-resolve spectroscopy (TRS) is an emerging method which enables the absolute hemoglobin concentration in tissue to be evaluated. In the present paper, two experiments measuring the absolute hemoglobin concentrations in the prefrontal region to estimate the local cerebral activity will be demonstrated. The results of the studies were as follows: 1) There were significant differences in the absolute hemoglobin concentrations between the groups with different traits in personalities such as anxiety, or type A behavior pattern. 2) TRS was found to be applicable to field experiments. It was revealed that in a forest environment, the activity in the prefrontal region was calmer than in a city environment. This method will provide useful information on the absolute hemoglobin concentrations and contribute to making physiological polymorphisms clear.

The home is an expression of identity and this research sought to describe connotations about homeowners that arise from the materials used in the construction of their homes. The participants, 126 students attending a Japanese university, reported simple biographical information and then used a 33-item personality test to express their perceptions of a homeowner who had chosen one of six types of construction. In addition, the participants made open-ended written statements to describe their insights. Principal components analysis of the data from the personality test provided three main components that were labeled confidence, interpersonal style, and maturity. Construction type was a significant effect (p < 0.0005) on each of these dimensions. Homeowners with houses built from concrete were regarded as having a cold interpersonal style and a tiled exterior over concrete gave the impression of high confidence, whereas a texture coating gave the impression of low confidence. In contrast, homeowners with houses built using the North American 2 by 4 method (with colored cement wall panels) were thought to be youthful, warm, and high in confidence. Homeowners with a conventional wood-framed home built by a Japanese carpenter were also considered youthful but less confident and warm. Homeowners who chose wood cladding were attributed the warmest interpersonal style. A striking contrast occurred when imported wood was chosen (youthful, confident homeowner) compared to Japanese wood (mature, unconfident homeowner). These findings highlight the important symbolic qualities of wood used in the built environment.

In order to make the space design of a comfortable bathing in the forest atmosphere (BIFA), it is important to investigate the effect to a human body first and then the characters of many physical factors constituting the forest space. In this paper we research and analyze physical factors constituting the elements of BIFA, especially light intensity and thermal effect. To make clear the effect of BIFA, this experiment was done in the forest [Seiwa Residents' Woodland] and the city [Chiba City] respectively at the same time. The subjects of this experiment are twelve, and the results were recorded by rating to some evaluation scales, and data are compared from the viewpoint of comfortableness. From this result, we can clearly notice psychological and physiological effects at the case of forest. In the mountainside of a village in summer under the fine sky, the values of the light intensity were subjectively seemed to be the same as in the city though the real intensity was 1/22 of the city. Moreover, at the case of thermal effect, we surely understand that it is cooler and more comfortable in the forest than in the city from the resulting data through the whole day.

The effect of visual stimulation from wood oil the body was examined in a comparative study using full-sized hinoki wall panels and a white steel wall panel. Continuous blood pressure measurements were used as the physiological indicator. Sensory evaluation by the semantic differential (SD) method and the profile of mood states (POMS) test were performed to determine changes in psychological impression. Results showed that visual stimulation from hinoki wall panels had all emotional and natural impression upon humans. Blood pressure decreased significantly in subjects who liked them, and there was no significant increase in blood pressure in subjects who disliked them. Visual stimulation from the white steel wall panel made an unhealthy and closed impression and increased the sense of depression. In addition, there was stress and a significant increase in blood pressure in subjects who disliked them. Consequently. visual stimulation from hinoki and white steel wall panels had different physiological and psychological effects. Results also showed that the same visual stimulation induced different physiological responses depending on the values of the individuals.

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between individual personality and the subjective comfortable feeling caused by tasting chocolate. Seventeen male subjects (24.1±2.56 years old) and seventeen female subjects (23.7±3.16 years old) took the personality tests (Japanese version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the brief questionnaire for detection of type A tendency, and the Japanese version of the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI)) and tasted five different kinds of chocolate, which were : 1) milk chocolate (MK), 2) chocolate with additional sweetener (SW), 3) chocolate with additional theobromine (BT), 4) chocolate with additional citric acid (SC), 5) chocolate with extract of oak wood (OK). The subjective comfortable feeling was measured by using a scale with 13 divisions, with the adjective pair of "very comfortable" and "very uncomfortable" on each end. Control (CT) was conducted by not asking the person to taste anything. The results were as follows : In the female subjects, 1) The comfortable feeling was significantly higher than that of the male subjects, especially in BT. 2) The masculinity and the femininity had significant positive effects on the comfortable feeling. In the male subjects, 1) The type A tendency had a significant positive effect and the trait-anxiety had a significant negative effect on the comfortable feeling. By investigating the relationship between personality and comfortable feeling in each kind of chocolate, 1) The femininity of the male subjects and the comfortable feeling of OK, and 2) The masculinity of the female subjects and the comfortable feelings of OK and SW showed significant correlation. It is considered useful to investigate people's personalities when discussing individual differences in chocolate preference.

This study is part of an effort to improve the quality of dried shiitake mushrooms [Lentinuta edodes (Berk.) Pegler], in accordance with consumer preference, and deals with a preference survey using questionnaires combined with sensory evaluation. The smell was evaluated using powdered dried shiitake mushrooms. Age, original preference (OP), sex, sensory intensity (SI), hedonic preference (HP), and sample amount were set as parameters. About 70% of panelists liked dried shiitake mushrooms. There were significant correlations among age, OP, and SI. There was also a significant correlation between OP and HP, but no significant correlation between SI and HP. However, when the panelists were classified by OP, there was an optimal value between SI and HP for likers and neutralists. The calculated optimal concentration of dried shiitake mushrooms for likers and neutralists ranged widely. On the other hand, there was a significant negative correlation between SI and HP for dislikers, and their HP decreased according to the increase in the amount of the substance. The results showed that different concentrations of odorous components in dried shiitake mushrooms were needed to satisfy different consumer preferences.

Effects of sound generated by a dental turbine and a small stream (murmur) and the effects of no sound (null, control) on heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and hemodynamic changes (oxygenated, deoxygenated, and total hemoglobin concentrations) in the frontal cortex were measured in 18 young volunteers. Questionnaires completed by the volunteers were also evaluated. Near-infrared spectroscopy and the Finapres technique were employed to measure hemodynamic and vascular responses, respectively. The subjects assessed the murmur, null, and turbine sounds as "pleasant," "natural," and "unpleasant," respectively. Blood pressures changed in response to the murmur, null, and turbine sound stimuli as expected: lower than the control level, unchanged, and higher than the control level, respectively. Mean blood pressure values tended to increase gradually over the recording time even during the null sound stimulation, possibly because of the recording environment. Oxygenated hemoglobin concentrations decreased drastically in response to the dental turbine sound, while deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations remained unchanged and thus total hemoglobin concentrations decreased (due to the decreased oxygenated hemoglobin concentrations). Hemodynamic responses to the murmuring sound and the null sound were slight or unchanged, respectively. Surprisingly, heart rate measurements remained fairly stable in response to the stimulatory noises. In conclusion, we demonstrate here that sound generated by a dental turbine may affect cerebral blood flow and metabolism as well as autonomic responses. Copyright 2004 The Society of the Nippon Dental University

To suppress the activity of house dust mites in tatami mats, where they tend to breed, tatami mats were prepared with embedded softwood veneers. The effective period of the volatiles from the veneers on the mites was then measured. To investigate the effective period of volatiles from hiba (Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai) and hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) veneers on house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), 5-day exposure tests were conducted every few weeks for 54 weeks. In the exposure tests, the activity of the mites was observed after 5 days of exposure to the volatiles. Volatiles from hiba veneers strongly suppressed the activity of the mites for 15 weeks. The suppressive effect decreased gradually after that, but it was maintained for 54 weeks. Volatiles from hinoki veneers showed moderate to high suppression of mite activity for 11 weeks, but no suppressive effect was observed after that. In conclusion, embedding hiba or hinoki veneers in tatami mats is an effective method of suppressing the activity of mites for about a year or for slightly less than 3 months, respectively.

The smell of food is one of the most important factors in assessing its quality. Concerning the smell of dried shiitake mushrooms [Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler], 1,2,3,5,6-pentathiepane, commonly known as lenthionine, has been reported as a key compound. However, other compounds have not been studied sufficiently in connection with smell. From the results of sensory intensity studies and sensory evaluations of dried shiitake mushrooms, a positive significant correlation at 1% risk was observed between sensory intensity and sulfur perception. This showed that the smell of dried shiitake mushrooms was characterized by a sulfurous smell. Also, comparing the sensory intensity with the amounts of volatile components showed positive significant correlations at 1% risk between sensory intensity and three compounds: 1,2,4-trithiolane, 1,2,4,6-tetrathiepane, and lenthionine. Furthermore, significant correlations at 5% risk were obtained between the amounts of these three compounds and sensory intensity by multiple regression analysis. This showed that the smell of dried shiitake mushrooms depended on these compounds. The partial regression coefficient of 1,2,4-trithiolane was larger than those of the others, and so it was proposed that 1,2,4-trithiolane could serve as an indicator to estimate the smell of dried shiitake mushroom.

We investigated the physiological and psychological responses of nine normal men to the prolonged light floor-impact sounds of 60 dBA and 80 dBA generated by a tapping machine in a two-story wooden house. Blood pressure was measured, and a sensory evaluation was also conducted using the semantic differential method. The results obtained were as follows: (1) the increase in systolic blood pressure immediately after exposure to the light floor-impact sounds depended on the level of the sounds, (2) the variations in feelings due to the prolonged light floor-impact sounds were identified by factor analysis, and (3) the subjects showed no difference in "comfortable" feeling for the prolonged light floor-impact sounds of 60 dBA and 80 dBA, but differences in the variation of the systolic blood pressure were detected.

We investigated the physiological and psychological responses of ten healthy male volunteers to a single heavy floor-impact sound generated by dropping an automobile tire from heights of 50, 100, and 150 cm in a wooden house. Blood pressure and peripheral blood flow were measured simultaneously, and sensory evaluation was conducted using the semantic differential method. The results obtained were as follows: (1) the systolic blood pressure increased and the peripheral blood flow decreased when the subjects heard the heavy floor-impact sound; (2) the heavy floor-impact sound caused the subjects to feel uncomfortable, but there was no significant change in "sharp" and "monotonous" feelings and (3) for the heavy floor-impact sound for 100 cm and that for 150 cm, the subjects showed no difference in "comfortable" feeling, but we detected differences in the variations of both the systolic blood pressure and the peripheral blood flow.

Physiological polymorphism is an important concept of physiological anthropology. Firstly, in the present paper, the terms related to physiological polymorphism are extracted from related dictionaries. We tentatively defined physiological polymorphism as follows: the state in which individuals of the same species of organism exhibit physiological variations. From the viewpoint of population biology, it is thought that the population of humans is an assembly of normal small groups. Additionally, we think that it is important for the traits of a small group to be explained by physiological mechanisms. Furthermore, we described a tentative idea about an approach to the elucidation of physiological polymorphism.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the difference in skin color between 50 Japanese women and 50 Korean women aged in their twenties. We measured the color of bare skin and foundation-applied skin by the Munsell System. Moreover we checked their preference for skin color with "skin color sample board" . The results were analyzed by using a three-factor (nationality, site, make-up) analysis of variance (3-way ANOVA). The results of this study are as follows. l)There was a significant difference between the Japanese and Korean women. The Japanese women had more reddish and brighter skin color than the Korean women. Moreover, the Japanese women showed a low Munsell value. 2) There were no differences in make-up tendencies to between the Japanese and Korean women. Both the Japanese and Korean women had yellowish make-up on their bare skin. In particular, they had darker make-up on their sides of their cheeks. It is a common method of make-up of Japanese and Korean women in their 20's.

自然は，日常生活の快適性の増進に寄与していることが経験的に知られている．人は，ヒトとなって500万年経過し，仮に産業革命以降を都市化，人工化と仮定した場合，その99.99%以上を自然環境下で過ごしてきたことになる．すべての人の生理機能は，自然環境中で進化し，自然環境用に作られている．そのような状況の中，人工環境下で生活する我々は常にストレス状態にあると考えられる．この論文の目的は，種々の自然由来の刺激が生理応答に及ぼす影響を明らかにすることである．生理指標としては，近赤外線分光分析法による脳（前頭前野）活動ならびに指先を用いた血圧，脈拍数を用い，毎秒測定を実施した．自然由来の刺激としては，スギ，ヒバ材のにおい物質，小川のせせらぎ音，森林浴風景等を用いた．その結果，これらの自然由来の刺激は血圧の低下と脳活動の鎮静化をもたらし，生理的に鎮静化した状態を作り出した．自然由来の刺激は，現在のストレス社会において積極的に鎮静的快適感をもたらすことが分かった．

The present study investigated the relationship between individual personality and physiological response, and whether there is a personality component to variations in physiological responses. Seventeen male subjects' (24.1±2.6 years old) trait anxiety, type A personality, and gender role personality were measured and matched to their changes in the cerebral blood flow during stimulus by a piece of chocolate. The results showed that the characterization of some groups with different cerebral blood flow changes could be explained by their personality traits. Through this, one way to approach the issue of physiological polymorphism was suggested.

The effect of volatile matter from various wood chips on house dust mites and their influence on human comfort were measured. To investigate the effect of volatile matter on the mite species Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, the activity of the mites was observed after exposure to volatile matter from six species of wood chips. The degree of activity of the mites was classified into two categories: (1) walking or moving and (2) immobilized. To measure their influence on human comfort. the smells of those wood chips were evaluated by the subjects. Among softwoods, volatile matter from Chamaecyparis obtusa and Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai chips suppressed the activity of the mites highly and made the subjects feel refreshed and unexcited. Cryptomeria japonica showed slight suppression of the mites and was considered to be refreshing, natural, and unexciting by the subjects. Among hardwoods, Cinnamomum camphora highly suppressed mites activity and was considered to be non-refreshing and exciting by the subjects.

The purpose of this study was to investigate EEG changes in subjects directly after inhalation of essential oils, and subsequently, to observe any effect on subjective evaluations. EEG and sensory evaluation were assessed in 13 healthy female subjects in four odor conditions. Four odor conditions (including lavender, chamomile, sandalwood and eugenol) were applied respectively for each subject in the experiment. The results were as follows. 1) Four basic factors were extracted from 22 adjective pairs by factor analysis of the sensory evaluation. The first factor was "comfortable feeling", the second "cheerful feeling", the third "natural feeling" and the fourth "feminine feeling". In the score of the first factor (comfortable feeling), the odors in order of high contribution are lavender, eugenol, chamomile and sandalwood. 2) Alpha 1 (8-10 Hz) of EEG at parietal and posterior temporal regions significantly decreased soon after the onset of inhalation of lavender oil (p&lt 0.01). Significant changes of alpha 1 were also observed after inhalation of eugenol or chamomile. The change after inhalation of sandalwood was not significant. These results showed that alpha 1 activity significantly decreased under odor conditions in which subjects felt comfortable, and showed no significant change under odor conditions in which subjects felt uncomfortable. These results suggest a possible correlation between alpha 1 activity and subjective evaluation.

The authors compiled the definitions of health so far given by WHO and other organs and researchers, and reviewed the concept of health in terms of physiological anthropology. The authors reached the conclusion that health is a state brought about by favorable relation between the environment and humans, as well as a state in which each individual can manifest innate abilities sufficiently. A more healthy environment thus needs to be created.

We investigated the time-series physiological and psychological responses by fourteen healthy men to the floor-impact sounds of 60 and 80 dBA generated by a tapping machine in a two-story wooden house. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The systolic blood pressures and the coefficients of variation of the R-R intervals were affected by the floor-impact sounds. 2) We detected the difference in feelings of the floor-impact sound levels by using the semantic differential method, 3) Physiological and psychological responses changed concomitantly with the floor-impact sounds.

We prepared carpet cleaners containing three wood oils extracted from Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var. hondai Makino, Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl., and Chamaecyparis taiwanensis Masamune et Suzuki and studied their effects on mites and perfumerists' impressions, The oil concentrations were set at 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.6%. The effects on Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Trouessart were investigated. The sensory evaluations were conducted by seven male perfumerists using the SD method and they were asked to describe freely their impressions of the scents. These results showed that: (1) all three types of wood oil had a significant effect on making D. pteronyssinus inactive at 0.1% concentration; and (2) the wood oil of T. dolabrata evoked refreshing, natural, rich, and intellectual feelings; C. obtusa oil evoked vivacious, rich, and intellectual feelings; and C. taiwanensis evoked refreshing, natural, rich, rough, masculine feelings. According to the test subjects, T. dolabrata evoked "woody" and "earthy" impressions; C. obtusa evoked ''woody," "citrus," and "pine-resin" impressions; and C. taiwanensis evoked "woody,"citrus," and "medical" impressions. Many issues remain to be investigated, but the inclusion of wood oil in carpet cleaners offered both good mite control and a pleasant aroma to humans. This study suggests a new potential for using these wood oils.