Identification of the roasting reaction products of ferulic and sinapic acids and their xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity.

The roasting reaction products of ferulic and sinapic acids were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and their constituent compounds were isolated. Structural analysis revealed that the major compounds were oligomers of the corresponding 4-vinylphenols. The xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds was also measured. Moderate XO inhibitory activity of some oligomers afforded from ferulic acid was observed.

Effects of Marine Sand on the Microbial Degradation of Biodegradable Plastics in Seawater and Biofilm Communities that Formed on Plastic Surfaces.

Four types of biodegradable plastics were evaluated for their biodegradability in seawater collected at Ajigaura coast, Japan, in the presence or absence of marine sand. One of the plastics, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), showed a degree of biodegradation in a seawater sample, and the addition of marine sand markedly accelerated its biodegradation. The addition of marine sand did not affect the bacterial composition of the biofilm that formed on PHBH, and the family Rhodobacteraceae, which was predicted to contribute to the degradation of PHBH, was dominant in biofilm communities regardless of the addition of marine sand. Marine sand may serve as a bacterial source, resulting in the accelerated degradation of PHBH.

Novel fully digital workflow for removable partial denture fabrication.

PURPOSE: This technical procedure report introduces a newly developed method for removable partial denture (RPD) fabrication using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and rapid prototyping (RP) technologies. METHODS: Full-arch digital impressions of the partially edentulous jaw were made by an IOS or the conventional method. The denture framework, artificial teeth, and denture base were designed by commercially available CAD software. Each of the denture components including connectors, clasps, and artificial teeth and the denture bases were fabricated separately by the CAM machine or the three-dimensional (3D) printer, and then assembled using an adhesive material. CONCLUSIONS: RPDs were successfully fabricated using fully digital workflow and delivered to the patient, and no clinical complications were reported. Within the limitations of this report, the newly developed RPD fabrication techniques have the potential to change clinical and laboratory workflow from analog to digital.

Antioxidant Capacity of Tempura Deep-Fried Products Prepared Using Barley, Buckwheat, and Job's Tears Flours.

Tempura is a dish of battered and deep-fried foods, and wheat flour is typically used; however, barley, buckwheat, and Job's tears have an antioxidant capacity. This study investigated whether replacing wheat flour with flours from these three crops in tempura affects the antioxidant capacity and deterioration of frying oil. Radical scavenging activity and polyphenol content of tempura were measured by chemiluminescence-based assay and the Folin-Denis method, respectively. The peroxide value, p-anisidin value, acid value, and polar compound of the oil used in frying were measured as indexes of oil deterioration post-frying due to oxidation. Although the frying oil of barley showed higher p-anisidin value than that of wheat, the oil samples' deterioration level measured in this study was low. The antioxidant capacity and polyphenol content in the three flours samples were higher than those in wheat sample, with buckwheat producing the greatest values, followed by Job's tears, and then barley. Thus, deep-fried products prepared using the three flours demonstrated superior antioxidant capacity owing to the abundance of antioxidant components. Therefore, tempura can be enjoyed in a healthier manner by using batter prepared using those flours, and substituting wheat flour with the three flours can increase the antioxidant capacity of deep-fried products.

Assessment of dyssynchronous wall motion during acute myocardial ischemia using velocity vector imaging.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of velocity vector imaging (VVI) for detecting acute myocardial ischemia and whether VVI can accurately demonstrate the spatial extent of ischemic risk area. BACKGROUND: Using a tracking algorithm, VVI can display velocity vectors of regional wall motion overlaid onto the B-mode image and allows the quantitative assessment of myocardial mechanics. However, its efficacy for diagnosing myocardial ischemia has not been evaluated. METHODS: In 18 dogs with flow-limiting stenosis and/or total occlusion of the coronary artery, peak systolic radial velocity (V(SYS)), radial velocity at mitral valve opening (V(MVO)), peak systolic radial strain, and the percent change in wall thickening (%WT) were measured in the normal and risk areas and compared to those at baseline. Sensitivity and specificity for detecting the stenosis and occlusion were analyzed in each parameter. The area of inward velocity vectors at mitral valve opening (MVO) detected by VVI was compared to the risk area derived from real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE). Twelve image clips were randomly selected from the baseline, stenosis, and occlusions to determine the intra- and inter-observer agreement for the VVI parameters. RESULTS: The left circumflex coronary flow was reduced by 44.3 +/- 9.0% during stenosis and completely interrupted during occlusion. During coronary artery occlusion, inward motion at MVO was observed in the risk area. Percent WT, peak systolic radial strain, V(SYS), and V(MVO) changed significantly from values at baseline. During stenosis, %WT, peak systolic radial strain, and V(SYS) did not differ from those at baseline; however, V(MVO) was significantly increased (-0.12 +/- 0.60 cm/s vs. -0.96 +/- 0.55 cm/s, p = 0.015). Sensitivity and specificity of V(MVO) for detecting ischemia were superior to those of other parameters. The spatial extent of inward velocity vectors at MVO correlated well with that of the risk area derived from MCE (r = 0.74, p < 0.001 with a linear regression). CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of VVI at MVO permits easy detection of dyssynchronous wall motion during acute myocardial ischemia that cannot be diagnosed by conventional measurement of systolic wall thickness. The spatial extent of inward motion at MVO suggests the size of the risk area.

[Myocardial perfusion abnormality induced by right ventricular pacing: real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography study].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: False positive findings of coronary stenosis are frequently detected by exercise stress myocardial scintigraphy in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB). We investigated the relationship between regional wall motion abnormality and myocardial perfusion abnormality at high right ventricular (RV) pacing rate in the region of the RV pacing (the ventricular septum) and the control region (the lateral wall) assuming exercise stress in patients with LBBB. METHODS: RV pacing was performed in 7 open chest canines. Real time myocardial contrast echocardiography of the left right ventricular short-axis view was examined by Toshiba Aplio during infusion of the ultrasound contrast agent (Definity). The examination was performed at baseline without pacing and at high RV pacing. Replenishment curve of the myocardial opacification was obtained and fit to the equation of y = A (1 - e (-betat)) in the regions of the ventricular septum and the lateral wall. Wall thickening ratio (%WT) was calculated in both regions. RESULTS: Dyssynchronous motion was observed during high RV pacing, but no wall motion abnormality was seen in control conditions. Although %WT, A-value and beta-value were almost identical between both regions at baseline, %WT and beta decreased in the ventricular septum at high RV pacing. The value did not differ between two regions. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that perfusion abnormality occurs with regional wall motion abnormality at high RV pacing based on real time myocardial contrast echocardiography.