Flavor characteristics of the juices from fresh market tomatoes differentiated from those from processing tomatoes by combined analysis of volatile profiles with sensory evaluation.

Various commercial tomato juices with different flavors are available at markets worldwide. To clarify the marker compounds related to the flavor characteristics of tomato juice, we analyzed 15 pure commercial tomato juices by a combination of volatile profiling and sensory evaluation. The correlations among volatiles and the relationship between volatiles and sensory descriptors were elucidated by multivariate analyses. Consequently, the tomato juices made from fresh market tomatoes (including the popular Japanese tomato variety "Momotaro") were clearly separated from other juices made from processing tomatoes, by both the volatile composition and sensory profiles. cis-3-Hexenol, hexanal, and apocarotenoids negatively contributed to the juices from fresh market tomatoes, whereas Strecker aldehydes and furfural showed positive contributions to the juices. Accordingly, the sensory characteristics of juices from fresh market tomatoes were related to cooked and fruity flavors but not to green or fresh notes.

Fluorescence fingerprint as an instrumental assessment of the sensory quality of tomato juices.

BACKGROUND: Sensory analysis is an important standard for evaluating food products. However, as trained panelists and time are required for the process, the potential of using fluorescence fingerprint as a rapid instrumental method to approximate sensory characteristics was explored in this study. RESULTS: Thirty-five out of 44 descriptive sensory attributes were found to show a significant difference between samples (analysis of variance test). Principal component analysis revealed that principal component 1 could capture 73.84 and 75.28% variance for aroma category and combined flavor and taste category respectively. Fluorescence fingerprints of tomato juices consisted of two visible peaks at excitation/emission wavelengths of 290/350 and 315/425 nm and a long narrow emission peak at 680 nm. The 680 nm peak was only clearly observed in juices obtained from tomatoes cultivated to be eaten raw. The ability to predict overall sensory profiles was investigated by using principal component 1 as a regression target. Fluorescence fingerprint could predict principal component 1 of both aroma and combined flavor and taste with a coefficient of determination above 0.8. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study indicate the potential of using fluorescence fingerprint as an instrumental method for assessing sensory characteristics of tomato juices.

[Prevention and management of appetite loss during cancer chemotherapy].

Appetite loss during cancer chemotherapy may lead to malnutrition and a decreased quality of life. To overcome this problem, evidence-based guidelines have been established for chemotherapy-induced emesis and mucositis. However, unsolved issues such as taste alimentation remain. Since the clinical picture of appetite loss is complex, individual management strategies depending on the type of the disease and treatment are required.

[Twenty-one new recipes recommended by the Kikkoman Corporation to reduce the impact of chemotherapy on the sense of taste].

A change in the sense of taste is a side effect of chemotherapy. Patients have an increased sensitivity to the bitter taste and a decreased sensitivity to the sweet, sour, and salty tastes, among other flavors. Therefore, sweet foods do not taste as sweet as they used to before chemotherapy. Kikkoman Corporation recommends 21 new recipes for cancer patients to reduce the impact of side effect on their appetite and to maintain their well-being.

Experimental infection of bovine mammary gland with prototheca zopfii genotype 1.

Prototheca zopfii is divided into three genotypes, one of which, P. zopfii genotype 2, appears to be the main causative agent of bovine protothecal mastitis. However, the difference in pathogenicity between genotypes 1 and 2 has not been well investigated. In the present study, we experimentally infected normal bovine mammary gland with P. zopfii genotype 1 to investigate its pathogenicity. The mammary gland infected with P. zopfii genotype 1 showed no clinical signs. However, the histopathologic features of the infected mammary gland consisted of interstitial infiltrates of macrophages, plasma cells, lymphocytes, and fibroblasts with neutrophils in acinar lumens. Algae were present in macrophages and free in the alveolar lumens and the interstitium. Histopathology of the resultant tissue samples revealed that genotype 1 also induced a granulomatous lesion in the cow teat, similar to the mastitis lesion due to genotype 2.

Radiographic measurement of cardiac size in 27 rabbits.

Right lateral position (RL) chest radiograms were obtained from 27 heart disease-free rabbits, and cardiac sizes were compared according to body weight (<1.6 vs. > or =1.6 kg) and gender (female vs. male). Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in RL-long axis (RL-LA) and RL-vertebral heart size (RL-VHS). RL-LA was 4.22 +/- 0.25 and 4.48 +/- 0.3, and RL-VHS was 7.55 +/- 0.38 and 7.99 +/- 0.58, in the <1.6 kg (n=12) and > or =1.6 kg (n=15) groups, respectively. These values should prove useful as new diagnostic indices for cardiac disease in rabbits.

Establishment of vertebral heart scale in the growth period of the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata).

We performed a thoracic X-ray examination of 56 Japanese macaques to obtain normal reference values for vertebral heart scale (VHS). Mean VHS was 10.25 +/- 0.94 v. In males, mean VHS was 10.56 +/- 0.73 v, with no significant correlation to age or weight. In contrast, mean VHS in females was 9.97 +/- 1.03 v, and tended to decrease with increasing age and weight. These findings will facilitate the diagnosis of cardiac disease in Japanese macaques in the future.

Ocular granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis in a dog: magnetic resonance images and clinical findings.

A 4-year-old female miniature dachshund presented with a history of progressive decrease in vision, neck pain, and ataxia for which an MRI was performed 21 days after the initial consultation. The optic nerves showed isointensities on T1- (T1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) images that were enhanced by the contrast medium. The optic chiasm was swollen. Other parts of the cerebral parenchyma, not only the visual pathway, showed symmetrical hyperintensities on T2W images. Cerebrospinal fluid showed increased anti-GFAP autoantibodies. The dog received corticosteroid therapy despite which she exhibited anorexia, vomiting, and lethargy. Hence, a follow-up MRI was repeated 30 days after the initial consultation in which T2W images showed enlargement of the hyperintense area. The dog died 45 days after the initial consultation. Postmortem pathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME).

Radiographic measurement of cardiac size in 64 ferrets.

As ferrets can suffer from a wide variety of cardiac disorders, indicators for detecting cardiac abnormalities on plain chest radiography are necessary. A total of 64 ferrets without heart disease underwent radiography in the right lateral (RL) and ventrodorsal positions (VD), and the lengths of the RL-sixth dorsal vertebra (6th DV), RL- and VD-long axis (LA) and RL- and VD-short axis (SA), RL- and VD- vertebral heart size, VD-length of the eighth costa (LEC) and VD-thoracic width at the eighth thoracic vertebra (8th TV) were measured to establish standard values of normal cardiac appearance. We evaluated statistical differences between genders and ferrets weighing < 1 kg and > or = 1 kg for a total of 38 items. As a result, significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in all items, including some differences that have been reported previously. In particular, the present study established highly accurate standard values for weight differences. Standard values calculated based on the 6th DV and a relational expression obtained by the regression coefficient of the ratio of VD-SA to VD-8th TV, VD-8th TV=2.887 + (0.769 x VD-SA), were considered useful for evaluating normal cardiac morphology in ferrets.

Spontaneous fibrosarcoma in a Djungarian hamster (phodopus sungorus).

A 1.5-y-old female Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) presented with a large subcutaneous mass surrounding the right shoulder. Radiography revealed dislocation of the right humeral articulation and osteolytic lesions of the right scapula. Histologically, the mass was composed of spindle to stellate cells arranged in fascicles interwoven with delicate collagen fibers, and neoplastic cells infiltrated the bone, skeletal muscle, and subcutaneous tissues. Neoplastic cells stained intensely positive for vimentin and negative for S100 protein, neurofilament, and desmin. A minority of neoplastic cells (10% to 20%) stained moderately for smooth muscle actin. The mass was diagnosed as a fibrosarcoma. Although fibrosarcomas are relatively common in dogs and cats, this is the first report of fibrosarcoma in a domestic Djungarian hamster.

Cytomorphological and immunohistochemical features of lymphoma in ferrets.

Twenty ferrets with histopathologically diagnosed lymphoma were classified cytomorphologically and immunohistochemically. According to site of origin, multicentric, gastrointestinal, mediastinal and cutaneous lymphomas accounted for 8 (40%), 9 (45%), 2 (10%) and 1 case (5%), respectively. According to the National Cancer Institute Working Formulation (NCI-WF), low-, high- and intermediate-grade lymphomas accounted for 4 (20%), 4 (20%) and 12 cases (60%), respectively. The 4 low-grade lymphomas showed no mitotic figures, whereas all 4 high-grade lymphomas exhibited > or = 3 mitotic figures (median,6). Higher grade thus appears to be associated with a higher number of mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical examination of 18 specimens, excluding 2 insufficient specimens, showed that 16 (88.9%) and 2 (11.1%) lymphomas were of T-cell origin and B-cell origin, respectively. According to the combination of the NCI-WF and immunophenotypes, all 4 low-grade lymphomas (2 multicentric, 1 gastrointestinal, and 1 cutaneous lymphoma) were classified as diffuse small lymphocytic lymphoma of T-cell origin. Of the 12 intermediate-grade lymphomas (6 multicentric, 4 gastrointestinal, and 2 mediastinal lymphomas), 11 were classified as diffuse mixed-cell lymphoma, and 1 as diffuse large cell lymphoma. Of these 11 lymphomas, 2 (both multicentric) were of B-cell origin, 7 (3 multicentric, 3 gastrointestinal, 1 mediastinal) were of T-cell origin, and 2 (1 multicentric, 1 mediastinal) were of unknown cell origin. The remaining 1 lymphoma (gastrointestinal) was of T-cell origin. All 4 high-grade lymphomas (gastrointestinal) were classified as diffuse immunoblastic lymphoma of T-cell origin.

Feline digital phaeohyphomycosis due to Exophiala jeanselmei.

The black nodule measuring 1 cm in diameter developed in the base of nail of an 8-year-old Japanese domestic male cat. Histological examination of the excised nodule revealed a granulomatous lesion extending from the epidermis to adjacent bone. The lesion was consisted of diffuse infiltration of macrophages with epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells. These macrophages contained a few to numerous yeast-like brown pigmented fungus cells with a spherical shape and dark thick wall. The PCR amplification with universal primers of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene yielded a 628-bp fragment and the direct sequence confirmed that the diagnosis of the lesion was phaeohyphomycosis caused by the pathogenic dematiaceous fungus, Exophiala jeanselmei.

A feline case of isolated fourth ventricle with syringomyelia suspected to be related with feline infectious peritonitis.

A one-year-old female cat was unable to stand. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed, and an enlargement of the lateral, third, and fourth ventricles and syringomyelia were detected. The cat was diagnosed with an isolated fourth ventricle (IFV) with syringomyelia. The serum isoantibody test for the feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus was 1:3,200. After the cat died, a pathological examination revealed nonsuppurative encephalomyelitis. We suspected that the IFV, detected in the cat, was associated with FIP encephalomyelitis. To our knowledge, there has been no report on IFV in veterinary medicine.

A case of lymphoma developing in the rabbit cecum.

A rare lymphoma that developed in the cecum of a domestic pet rabbit (6 years old, male, crossbred) was examined pathologically. The tumor consisted of proliferating neoplastic lymphoid cells, which were strongly stained with anti-CD79alpha monoclonal antibody. Electron microscopy revealed the tumor cells were composed of rough endoplasmic reticula and/or dilated rough endoplasmic reticula filled with moderately electron-dense material. These findings indicated the present case was rare digestive tract lymphoma originated from B-lymphocytic lineage in the cecum.

A canine case of necrotizing meningoencephalitis for long-term observation: clinical and MRI findings.

A 3-year-old female pug presented with general seizure following a partial seizure. During the remaining 48 months till death, the dog showed various neurological signs such as disturbance of consciousness, myoclonus and various types of partial seizure after each occurrence of the seizure clusters, and the dog eventually exhibited inability to stand and dementia. Magnetic resonance imaging findings revealed atrophy of the brain over the course of the disease. On histopathological analysis, the dog was diagnosed with necrotizing meningoencephalitis. This case of a canine necrotizing meningoencephalitis observed over the long term is valuable.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor arising from the spinal canal in a cat.

A 10-year-old female mongrel cat with back pain was brought to the Nihon University Animal Medical Center. Palpation demonstrated a mass in the back region. Radiography revealed partial destruction of the processus spinosus and the arch of the T8 and T9 vertebrae. On magnetic resonance imaging, the mass was found to have compressed the spinal cord and extended to the outside of the spinal canal. We performed extirpation of the mass, and confirmed that it arose from the spinal canal. Histopathologically, the mass was a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.

Malignant transformation of T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia in a dog.

An 8-year-old spayed female Golden Retriever was referred to us for evaluation of mild lymphocytosis. The peripheral lymphocytes were comprised of mostly large granular lymphocytes (LGLs), and flow cytometry showed that they were mostly CD3+8+ T lymphocytes. Clonal rearrangement of the T-cell receptor gene was identified in the peripheral blood, and the dog was therefore diagnosed with LGL chronic leukemia. The dog was subclinical without treatment until hospitalization on day 154, at which point the lymphocytes looked like lymphoblasts and the surface markers changed to CD3-8-. This was regarded as malignant transformation from LGL chronic leukemia to the acute type. Sequential chemotherapy was started, but the dog died on day 190. Necropsy revealed tumor cell infiltration into the heart, skin, and brain.

Selectivity of Mitis Salivarius agar and a new selective medium for oral streptococci in dogs.

An evaluation on the applicability of Mitis Salivarius agar (MS) medium, commonly used for the detection of oral streptococci in human and animals, to dog specimens and the development of a new selective medium for isolating streptococci from the canine oral cavity are described. Oral samples from dogs were cultured on MS medium under anaerobic conditions. The predominant facultative anaerobic bacteria on MS plates were gram-negative rods. Selectivity of streptococci on MS medium was 21.2%. A new selective medium, designated MS-CAN-AE, was developed for the isolation of streptococci from the canine oral cavity. The average growth recovery of laboratory and clinically isolated strains of streptococci on MS-CAN-AE medium was 84.1% of that on MS medium. Gram-positive rods and gram-negative rods and cocci rarely grew on the MS-CAN-AE. The selectivity of MS-CAN-AE was 95.0% for clinical samples. MS-CAN-AE medium will be helpful for investigations of streptococci in the canine oral cavity.

Expression patterns of connexin 26 and connexin 43 mRNA in canine benign and malignant mammary tumours.

The expression patterns of connexin (Cx) genes, encoding gap junctional proteins, are tissue- and cell-specific and, as their expression is mostly suppressed during carcinogenic processes, they are appropriate for monitoring tumour development. In this study, using reverse transcriptase-coupled polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the expression of Cx mRNAs was examined in seven normal canine mammary glands and in 31 mammary gland tumour samples. Cx26 and Cx43 gene expression was studied in all normal tissues using specific Cx26 and Cx43 primers. When the expression patterns of Cx26 and Cx43 genes were analyzed in several types of canine mammary gland tumours, it was noted that it was the loss of Cx26 expression rather than the occurrence of Cx43 expression that was associated with malignancy. These results suggest that Cx26 plays an important role in tumourigenesis of canine mammary gland.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva-like condition in a cat.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP)-like condition was diagnosed in a Japanese domestic cat with stiffness, marked atrophy of the muscles, and limited mobility of all joints in both the pelvic limbs. Etretinate, a retinoid, was used for medical management; however, no improvement in the clinical signs was observed. Inheritance of the disorder has not yet been demonstrated. Furthermore, the clinical signs and histopathological findings of feline FOP-like condition in the present case differed from those of the previously reported cases.