Influences of Technological Parameters on Cross-Flow Nanofiltration of Cranberry Juice.

The paper focused on the influence of operative conditions on the separation of benzoic acid from 10 °Brix cranberry juice by cross-flow nanofiltration with a plate and frame pilot scale (DDS Lab Module Type 20 system). Six kinds of commercial nanofiltration membrane were investigated. The results showed that the rejection of benzoic acid was significantly lower than that of other components in cranberry juice, including sugars and other organic acids. In a range of 2-7.5 L/min, feed flow rate slightly affected the performance of nanofiltration. Higher temperatures resulted in higher permeate flux and lower rejection of benzoic acid, whereas rejection of sugar and organic acid was stable at a high value. In a range of 2.5-5.5, pH also significantly affected the separation of benzoic acid and negative rejection against benzoic acid was observed at pH 4.5 with some of the membranes. This implies that pH 4.5 is considered as an optimum pH for benzoic acid separation from cranberry juice. The lower permeate flux caused a lower rejection of benzoic acid and negative rejection of benzoic acid was observed at the low permeate flux. Pretreatment by ultrafiltration with CR61PP membranes could improve the permeate flux but insignificantly influenced the efficiency of separation. The results also indicated that NF99 and DK membranes can be effectively used to separate benzoic acid from cranberry juice.

Detection of hydroacoustic signals on a fiber-optic submarine cable.

A ship-based seismic survey was conducted close to a fiber-optic submarine cable, and 50 km-long distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) recordings with air-gun shots were obtained for the first time. We examine the acquired DAS dataset together with the co-located hydrophones to investigate the detection capability of underwater acoustic (hydroacoustic) signals. Here, we show the hydroacoustic signals identified by the DAS measurement characterizing in frequency-time space. The DAS measurement can be sensitive for hydroacoustic signals in a frequency range from [Formula: see text] to a few tens of Hz which is similar to the hydrophones. The observed phases of hydroacoustic signals are coherent within a few kilometers along the submarine cable, suggesting the DAS is suitable for applying correlation analysis using hydroacoustic signals. Although our study suggests that virtual sensor's self-noise of the present DAS measurement is relatively high compared to the conventional in-situ hydroacoustic sensors above a few Hz, the DAS identifies the ocean microseismic background noise along the entire submarine cable except for some cable sections de-coupled from the seafloor.

Experimental evidence characterizing pressure fluctuations at the seafloor-water interface induced by an earthquake.

An unusual combination of a laboratory experiment and in situ measurement of pressure fluctuations during an earthquake allows us to resolve some uncertainties in bottom pressure recorders (BPRs). In situ BPRs are usually contaminated by seismic waves during earthquakes; thus uncertainty still remains in the data obtained from BPRs. We examine in situ BPR data together with pressure variations produced by a dead weight (a pressure standard) in a laboratory experiment during an earthquake. The features recorded by the in situ BPRs are analysed as part of the overall experiment. We demonstrated that a 10-kg dead weight on a piston-cylinder across an area of 10 mm2 is capable of reproducing pressure fluctuations at a depth of 1000 m in the water column. The experiment also indicates that the internal mechanics of BPRs are isolated from incident seismic waves, suggesting that BPRs measure true in situ pressures without instrumentally induced disturbances. This constitutes the first instance in which pressure fluctuations recorded by in situ BPRs during an earthquake were reproduced using a pressure standard in the laboratory.

Sporadic low-velocity volumes spatially correlate with shallow very low frequency earthquake clusters.

A low-velocity zone (LVZ) has been detected by seismic exploration surveys within the Nankai accretionary prism toe off the Kii Peninsula, southwestern Japan, and is considered to be a mechanically weak volume at depth. Such mechanical heterogeneities potentially influence seismic and tsunamigenic slips on megathrust earthquakes in the subduction zone. However, the spatial distribution of the LVZ along the trough-parallel direction is still elusive. Here we show sporadic LVZs in the prism toe from one-dimensional shear wave velocity (Vs) profiles obtained at 49 cabled ocean bottom stations, which were estimated by a nonlinear inversion technique, simulated annealing, using the displacement-pressure ratios of the Rayleigh wave. The estimated distribution of LVZs along the trough widely correlates with the epicentres of shallow very low frequency earthquakes (sVLFEs), which suggests that sVLFEs are activated in the sporadically distributed low-velocity and mechanically weak volumes where fluids significantly reduce the shear strength of faults.

Recurring and triggered slow-slip events near the trench at the Nankai Trough subduction megathrust.

The discovery of slow earthquakes has revolutionized the field of earthquake seismology. Defining the locations of these events and the conditions that favor their occurrence provides important insights into the slip behavior of tectonic faults. We report on a family of recurring slow-slip events (SSEs) on the plate interface immediately seaward of repeated historical moment magnitude (Mw) 8 earthquake rupture areas offshore of Japan. The SSEs continue for days to several weeks, include both spontaneous and triggered slip, recur every 8 to 15 months, and are accompanied by swarms of low-frequency tremors. We can explain the SSEs with 1 to 4 centimeters of slip along the megathrust, centered 25 to 35 kilometers (km) from the trench (4 to 10 km depth). The SSEs accommodate 30 to 55% of the plate motion, indicating frequent release of accumulated strain near the trench.

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the bladder.

Primary lymphoma of the bladder is quite rare; primarily, it is extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT-lymphoma). There is only one case report of primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the bladder, accompanied by diffuse wall thickening of the bladder. Here, we report a second case of primary DLBCL of the bladder in a 75-year-old woman patient, whose initial presentation was acute renal failure. Three courses of R-CHOP chemotherapy were effective to treat acute renal failure caused by post-renal obstruction and to attain clinical remission.

Isoenzyme-specific up-regulation of glutathione transferase and aldo-keto reductase mRNA expression by dietary quercetin in rat liver.

The impact of quercetin on the mRNA expression of hepatic enzymes involved in drug metabolism was evaluated with a DNA microarray and real-time PCR. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an experimental diet containing either 0, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 g/kg of quercetin for 15 days. The DNA microarray analysis of the gene expression profile in pooled RNA samples from rats fed diets containing 0, 5, and 20 g/kg of quercetin revealed genes of some isoenzymes of glutathione transferase (Gst) and aldo-keto reductase (Akr) to be activated by this flavonoid. Real-time PCR conducted with RNA samples from individual rats fed varying amounts of quercetin together with the microarray analysis showed that quercetin caused marked dose-dependent increases in the mRNA expression of Gsta3, Gstp1, and Gstt3. Some moderate increases were also noted in the mRNA expression of isoenzymes belonging to the Gstm class. Quercetin also dose-dependently increased the mRNA expression of Akr1b8 and Akr7a3. However, it did not affect the parameters of the other Gst and Akr isoenzymes. It is apparent that quercetin increases the mRNA expression of Gst and Akr involved in drug metabolism in an isoenzyme-specific manner. Inasmuch as Gst and Akr isoenzymes up-regulated in their gene expression are involved in the prevention and attenuation of cancer development, this consequence may account for the chemopreventive propensity of quercetin.

Characterization of glutamate decarboxylase from a high gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producer, Lactobacillus paracasei.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has several physiological functions in humans. We have reported that Lactobacillus paracasei NFRI 7415 produces high levels of GABA. To gain insight into the higher GABA-producing ability of this strain, we analyzed glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), which catalyzes the decarboxylation of L-glutamate to GABA. The molecular weight of the purified GAD was estimated to be 57 kDa by SDS-PAGE and 110 kDa by gel filtration, suggesting that GAD forms the dimer under native conditions. GAD activity was optimal at pH 5.0 at 50 degrees C. The Km value for the catalysis of glutamate was 5.0 mM, and the maximum rate of catalysis was 7.5 micromol min(-1) mg(-1). The N-terminal amino acid sequence of GAD was determined, and the gene encoding GAD from genomic DNA was cloned. The findings suggest that the ability of Lb. paracasei to produce high levels of GABA results from two characteristics of GAD, viz., a low Km value and activity at low pH.

Comparative studies of some phenolic compounds (quercetin, rutin, and ferulic acid) affecting hepatic fatty acid synthesis in mice.

The physiological activities of some phenolic compounds affecting hepatic fatty acid synthesis in mice were compared. Male ICR mice were fed an experimental diet containing 1% quercetin dihydrate, rutin, or ferulic acid or a control diet free of phenolic compounds for 15 days. Quercetin significantly lowered serum cholesterol and phospholipid levels in mice. Also, the serum triacylglycerol level was considerably lower in mice fed the quercetin-containing diet than in those fed a diet free of phenolic compounds, although the difference was not significant. Rutin and ferulic acid did not affect these parameters. Quercetin significantly reduced the activity and mRNA levels of various enzymes involved in hepatic fatty acid synthesis. Rutin reduced a few of the parameters for lipogenesis, but ferulic acid did not affect any of the parameters. It was suggested that a reduction in hepatic lipogenesis is the mechanism underlying the hypolipidemic effect of quercetin.

Production of alcohol by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of low-grade wheat flour

Dois lotes de amostras de resíduo de farinha de trigo com teor reduzido de amido, especificamente designadas como amostra 1 (LG1) e amostra 2 (LG2), foram utilizados como substrato para fermentação alcoólica. Inicialmente as amostras foram hidrolisadas utilizando-se diferentes concentrações de alfa- ou beta-amilase, com o objetivo de otimizar a produção de açúcares fermentáveis; a enzima alfa-amilase apresentou melhor desempenho. O processo simultâneo de sacarificação e fermentação foi conduzido logo após a hidrólise do amido, em um fermentador com volume de 2 L; o meio contendo amido hidrolisado foi inoculado com amiloglucosidase (enzima utilizada para sacarificação) e levedura de panificação desidratada (para fermentação), simultaneamente. Amostras do meio de fermentação foram retiradas regularmente para análise dos teores de glucose, maltose, açúcares redutores e etanol. O teor de Adenosina Tri-Fosfato (ATP) também foi analisado. O açúcar glucose foi completamente consumido no início da fermentação, tanto no caso da amostra LG1, quanto LG2, sendo que a produção de etanol no caso de LG1 (38.6 g/L) foi superior aquela obtida com LG2 (24.9 g/L). A produção máxima de ATP foi observada no início do processo. A amostra LG1 apresentou um maior potencial como substrato para a produção de etanol.

Polyunsaturated fats attenuate the dietary phytol-induced increase in hepatic fatty acid oxidation in mice.

The effects of dietary phytol and the type of dietary fat on hepatic fatty acid oxidation were examined in male ICR mice. Mice were fed diets containing 0 or 5 g/kg phytol and 100 g/kg palm, safflower, or fish oil for 21 d. Among the groups fed phytol-free diets, the activities and mRNA abundance of various enzymes involved in fatty acid oxidation were greater in mice fed fish oil than in those fed palm or safflower oil. Dietary phytol profoundly increased the activities and mRNA abundance of hepatic fatty acid oxidation enzymes in mice fed palm oil. However, safflower and fish oils, especially the latter, greatly attenuated the phytol-dependent increase in hepatic fatty acid oxidation. The hepatic concentration of phytanic acid, a metabolite of phytol that is the ligand and activator of retinoid X receptors and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, was higher in mice fed fish oil than safflower or palm oil, and in those administered safflower oil than palm oil. The hepatic mRNA abundance of sterol carrier protein-2, a lipid-binding protein involved in phytol metabolism, was inversely correlated with the hepatic concentration of phytanic acid. We demonstrated that polyunsaturated fats attenuate the enhancing effect of dietary phytol on hepatic fatty acid oxidation. Dietary fat-dependent changes in the hepatic phytanic acid concentration cannot account for this phenomenon.

Lactic acid production using two food processing wastes, canned pineapple syrup and grape invertase, as substrate and enzyme.

Canned pineapple syrup, a food processing waste, was utilized as a substrate for lactic acid production by Lactococcus lactis. To improve the utilization of sucrose from the syrup, grape invertase from grape juice derived from wine production was used for sucrose hydrolysis. The highest lactic acid concentrations achieved were 20 and 92 g l-1 from 20 and 100 g total sugars l-1, respectively, without a lag period for sucrose consumption.