New gene markers for classification and quantification of Faecalibacterium spp. in the human gut.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a promising biomarker of a healthy human microbiota. However, previous studies reported the heterogeneity of this species and found the presence of several distinct groups at the species level among F. prausnitzii strains. Our recent study revealed that methods previously developed for quantification of F. prausnitzii were not specific to the species level because of the heterogeneity within the F. prausnitzii species and the application of 16S rRNA gene, which is an invalid genetic marker for the species. Therefore, previously available data failed to provide information on different groups, which limits our understanding of the importance of this organism for host health. Here, we propose an alternative gene marker for quantification of F. prausnitzii-related taxa. A total of nine group-specific primer pairs were designed by targeting rpoA gene sequences. The newly developed rpoA-based qPCR successfully quantified targeted groups. Application of the developed qPCR assay in six healthy adults revealed marked differences in abundance and prevalence among the different targeted groups in stool samples. The developed assay will facilitate detailed understanding of the impact of Faecalibacterium populations at the group level on human health and to understand the links between depletion of specific groups in Faecalibacterium and different human disorders.

Recent progress in the development of high-performance bonded magnets using rare earth-Fe compounds.

Permanent magnets, and particularly rare earth magnets such as Nd-Fe-B, have attracted much attention because of their magnetic properties. There are two well-established techniques for obtaining sintered magnets and bonded Nd-Fe-B magnets. Powder metallurgy is used to obtain high-performance anisotropic sintered magnets. To produce bonded magnets, either melt-spinning or the hydrogenation, disproportionation, desorption, and recombination process is used to produce magnet powders, which are then mixed with binders. Since the development of Nd-Fe-B magnets, several kinds of intermetallic compounds have been reported, such as Sm2Fe17Nx and Sm(Fe,M)12 (M: Ti, V, etc.). However, it is difficult to apply a liquid-phase sintering process similar to the one used for Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets in order to produce high-performance Sm-Fe-based sintered magnets because of the low decomposition temperature of the compound and the lack of a liquid grain boundary phase like that in the Nd-Fe-B system. Therefore, bonded magnets are useful in the production of bulk magnets using these Sm-Fe-based compounds. This article reviews recent progress in our work on the development of high-performance bonded magnets using Nd2Fe14B and Sm2Fe17Nx compounds.

Characterization of the microbiota and chemical properties of pork loins during dry aging.

Dry aging (DA) allows for the storage of meat without packaging at 0 to 3°C for several weeks. It enhances the production of pleasant flavors, tenderness, and juiciness in meat. Due to the long storage period and roles of indigenous microbiota in the maturation of several meat products, the microbiota of DA meat is of interest in terms of microbial contributions and food hygiene but has not yet been characterized in detail. This study identified the microbiota of pork loins during DA using culturing and culture-independent meta-16S rRNA gene sequencing and elucidated its characteristics. The amounts of free amino acids and profiles of aroma-active compounds were also monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography, respectively. The meta-16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that Pseudomonas spp. generally dominated the microbiota throughout DA; however, the culturing analysis showed marked changes in the species composition during DA. Acinetobacter spp. were the second most dominant bacteria before DA in the culture-independent analysis but became a minor population during DA. The cell numbers of yeasts showed an increased tendency during DA, and Debaryomyces hansenii was the only microorganism isolated from all meat samples throughout DA. Well-known foodborne pathogens were not observed in two microbiota analyses. The amounts of free amino acids were increased by DA, and the number of aroma-active compounds and their flavor dilution values markedly changed during DA. Most microbial isolates showed positive reactions with proteolytic and lipolytic activities, suggesting their contribution to tenderness and aroma production in DA meats.

Usefulness of the newly developed artificial denture plaque for practical denture care training.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the newly developed artificial dental plaque (A-DP) is useful as an educational tool for denture care of dental hygienist that compared it with conventional artificial dental plaque from the viewpoint of practical skills. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 125 dental hygienist school students and 26 dental hygienists who had clinical experience were subjected a practical training of denture plaque control using the conventional denture plaque (C-DP) and the A-DP. The questionnaires based on the semantic differential method were used to survey whether the A-DP is similar to the real denture plaque (R-DP). Factor analysis by rotation of promax was carried out. RESULTS: In the results of the factor analysis, the two factors could be detected in students and three factors in dental hygienists. The total score of each denture plaque was calculated for each factor, and correlation coefficient was examined. There was significant correlation between the A-DP and the R-DP at the first factors, both students and dental hygienists. C-DP was not similar to R-DP in all factors. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that A-DP resembles R-DP better than C-DP. It was concluded that the A-DP was similar to the R-DP and could be a potent educational tool for practical denture care.

Data on volatile compounds in fermented materials used for salmon fish sauce production.

This article describes the analysis of volatile compounds in fermented materials used for salmon fish sauce production via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Ten types of fish sauces were produced from raw salmon materials, including various proportions of flesh, viscera, inedible portion (heads, fins, and backbones), and soft roe, by mixing them with salt and allowing them to ferment for up to three months. The volatile compounds were captured by a solid-phase microextraction method and then applied to GC/MS for separation and identification of the compounds in the fish sauce products. The number of volatile compounds identified in the starting materials varied from 15 to 29 depending on the ingredients. The number of compounds in the final fish sauce products was reduced by 3.4-94.7% of that in the original material. The retention times and names of the identified compounds, as well as their relative peak areas, are provided in a Microsoft Excel Worksheet.

Chemical properties and colors of fermenting materials in salmon fish sauce production.

This data article reports the chemical properties (moisture, pH, salinity, and soluble solid content) and colors of fermenting materials in salmon fish sauce products. The fish sauce was produced by mixing salt with differing proportions of raw salmon materials and fermenting for three months; the salmon materials comprised flesh, viscera, an inedible portion, and soft roe. Chemical properties and colors of the unrefined fish sauce (moromi), and the refined fish sauce, were analyzed at one, two, and three months following the start of fermentation. Data determined for all products are provided in table format.

Data on color and chemical composition of dried scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) produced in different areas of Hokkaido, Japan.

Dried scallop is used in Chinese, Japanese, and French cuisines for its unique flavor and taste. The quality of dried scallop is rated according to its clear, shiny brown color, developed by the Maillard reaction between sugars and amino acids. This article reports the colors, represented by L* and a* values, and chemical composition (water, salinity, Brix, proteins, and amino acids) of dried scallop products. The dried scallops were produced in Tokoro, Sarufutsu, and Saroma in Hokkaido, Japan. The color of the dried scallops had values of 45.7-52.0 for L* and 2.31-5.08 for a*. The salinity of the products was 15.1-17.7%. The amino acid contents were 1350.8-1668.6 mg/100 g. The data collected here are provided in table format. The data can serve as a reference for commercial dried scallop products to determine product quality.

Data on free amino acid contents in Japanese basket clams (Corbicula japonica) from Lake Abashiri and Abashirigawa River.

This data article provides the free amino acid contents of Japanese basket clams from different areas of Lake Abashiri and Abashirigawa River, which belong to the same water system. Abashirigawa River flows into the south side of Lake Abashiri and then runs out from the northeast side of the lake. Clams were caught in three different areas in Lake Abashiri (Memanbetsu, Yobito, and Katayama) and from one site at Abashirigawa River (Sancho). Free amino acids in the edible portion of the clams were analyzed using an automated amino acid analyzer. The clams showed high contents in ß-alanine, alanine, glutamic acid, and glycine. The clams caught in the river contains relatively higher amino acid contents. The analyzed data are provided in table format.

Clustering of commercial fish sauce products based on an e-panel technique.

Fish sauce is a brownish liquid seasoning with a characteristic flavor that is produced in Asian countries and limited areas of Europe. The types of fish and shellfish and fermentation process used in its production depend on the region from which it derives. Variations in ingredients and fermentation procedures yield end products with different smells, tastes, and colors. For this data article, we employed an electronic panel (e-panel) technique including an electronic nose (e-nose), electronic tongue (e-tongue), and electronic eye (e-eye), in which smell, taste, and color are evaluated by sensors instead of the human nose, tongue, and eye to avoid subjective error. The presented data comprise clustering of 46 commercially available fish sauce products based separate e-nose, e-tongue, and e-eye test results. Sensory intensity data from the e-nose, e-tongue, and e-eye were separately classified by cluster analysis and are shown in dendrograms. The hierarchical cluster analysis indicates major three groups on e-nose and e-tongue data, and major four groups on e-eye data.

Data on the sensory evaluation of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) from different areas of Hokkaido, Japan, performed by untrained young adults.

This data article describes a sensory evaluation of potatoes used in food processing from the Tokachi, Kamikawa, and Abashiri geographic areas of Hokkaido, Japan, performed by untrained young adults. We gathered sensory data on potatoes from the four cultivars 'Toyoshiro,' 'Kitahime,' 'Snowden,' and 'Poroshiri.' The sensory evaluation was performed on steamed potatoes from each cultivar; these potatoes were harvested from each of the three geographic areas. Table 1 provides the data from the evaluation of the five basic tastes (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami), as well as the evaluation of the egumi taste, which is a Japanese term indicating a taste that is acrid, astringent, and slightly bitter.

Data on the chemical properties of commercial fish sauce products.

This data article reports on the chemical properties of commercial fish sauce products associated with the fish sauce taste and flavor. All products were analyzed in triplicate. Dried solid content was analyzed by moisture analyzer. Fish sauce salinity was determined by a salt meter. pH was measured using a pH meter. The acidity was determined using a titration assay. Amino nitrogen and total nitrogen were evaluated using a titration assay and Combustion-type nitrogen analyzer, respectively. The analyzed products originated from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, China, the Philippines, and Italy. Data on the chemical properties of the products are provided in table format in the current article.

Data on the weights, specific gravities and chemical compositions of potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers for food processing from different areas of Hokkaido, Japan.

This data article provides the weights, specific gravities and chemical compositions (moisture, protein, fat, ash, and carbohydrate) of potato tubers, for food processing use, from the Tokachi, Kamikawa and Abashiri areas of Hokkaido, Japan. Potato tubers of four cultivars ('Toyoshiro', 'Kitahime', 'Snowden' and 'Poroshiri') were employed in the current study. The weights and specific gravities of potato tubers from each cultivar, harvested from three areas, were measured, and those of near average weight and specific gravity from each group were analyzed for their chemical composition. In this article, weight, specific gravity, and chemical composition data are provided in tables.

A Novel Wiring Technique to Insert a Retrograde Guidewire Directly Into the Antegrade Guiding Catheter at the Ascending Aorta for Retrograde Percutaneous Recanalization of an Ostial Coronary Total Occlusion.

In recent years, the use of a retrograde approach has become a common practice in the treatment of chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the coronary ostium and artery with an anomalous origin. Use of this approach has increased the chances of a successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the approach requires capturing the retrograde guidewire within the aorta, which can often pose a problem. Therefore, we developed a technique in which the retrograde guidewire is passed through the CTO and inserted directly into the antegrade guiding catheter in the ascending aorta. This technique enabled the successful treatment of the ostial CTO of the right coronary artery using retrograde PCI.

Retrograde percutaneous recanalization of chronic total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery through an extremely tortuous right ventricular branch.

We report a case of chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the left anterior descending artery, which was treated by percutaneous coronary intervention using a retrograde approach via an extremely tortuous right ventricular branch of the right coronary artery. New concept guidewires and a channel dilator were advanced by delicate manipulation into the distal site of the CTO and a successful percutaneous recanalization was performed. These new concept guidewires may facilitate the retrograde approach for CTOs via tortuous collateral channels.

Simultaneous right and left coronary occlusion caused by an extensive dissection to the coronary sinus of Valsalva during percutaneous intervention in right coronary artery.

We report a case of simultaneous right and left coronary occlusion during percutaneous coronary intervention in the right coronary artery. An aortocoronary dissection induced by the forceful manipulation extended from the right to left sinus of Valsalva and occluded the ostia of both coronary arteries. The patient suffered cardiogenic shock and ventricular fibrillation. However, after successful rapid stenting to right and left coronary arteries, safe discharge was possible.

Heterogeneous nucleation of hydroxyapatite on protein: structural effect of silk sericin.

Acidic proteins play an important role during mineral formation in biological systems, but the mechanism of mineral formation is far from understood. In this paper, we report on the relationship between the structure of a protein and hydroxyapatite deposition under biomimetic conditions. Sericin, a type of silk protein, was adopted as a suitable protein for studying structural effect on hydroxyapatite deposition, since it forms a hydroxyapatite layer on its surface in a metastable calcium phosphate solution, and its structure has been reported. Sericin effectively induced hydroxyapatite nucleation when it has high molecular weight and a beta sheet structure. This indicates that the specific structure of a protein can effectively induce heterogeneous nucleation of hydroxyapatite in a biomimetic solution, i.e. a metastable calcium phosphate solution. This finding is useful in understanding biomineralization, as well as for the design of organic polymers that can effectively induce hydroxyapatite nucleation.

The Clara cell10 adenine38guanine polymorphism and sarcoidosis susceptibility in Dutch and Japanese subjects.

CC10 (CC16, uteroglobin) is a pulmonary protein postulated to play a counter regulatory role in sarcoidosis pathogenesis. The adenine38guanine (A38G) polymorphism of the encoding CC10 gene (SCGB1A1) is functional. Recently, an association between the low CC10 producing 38A allele and sarcoidosis susceptibility has been reported in Japanese patients from Hokkaido. The aim of the present study was to confirm this association in a clinically well characterized population of Dutch white and Kyoto Japanese patients with sarcoidosis and control subjects. No difference in genotype or allele frequency was found between patients with sarcoidosis and control subjects in either ethnic population. Remarkably, however, a significant difference was found between the control subjects from Kyoto and Hokkaido, but not between the Japanese groups of patients with sarcoidosis. Furthermore, review of previously published A38G genotyping results showed a consistent difference in CC10 A38G allele frequencies between whites and Japanese subjects. We conclude that the CC10 A38G polymorphism does not influence sarcoidosis susceptibility in Dutch whites or in Japanese subjects from Kyoto. This stresses the importance of studying the influence of polymorphisms on disease susceptibility in multiple ethnically and geographically distinct disease and control populations before reaching conclusions.

Effects of parabolic flight on abdominal arterial pressure in conscious rats.

Abdominal arterial pressure during parabolic flight was measured using a telemetry system to clarify the acute effect of microgravity on hemodynamics in conscious rats. The microgravity condition was elicited by three different levels of entry gravity, i.e. 2 G, 1.5 G and 1 G. On exposure to 2 G, mean aortic pressure (MBP) increased up to 118.7 mm Hg +/- 7.3 compared with the value at 1 G (107.0 +/- 6.3 mm Hg, n=6). The value at microgravity preceded by 2 G was 118.0 mmHg +/- 5.2 mm HG and it was still higher than at 1 G. When 1.5 G was elicited before microgravity exposure, MBP also increased (1.5 G: 114.9 +/- 5.3 vs 1 G: 105.8+/-5.0 mm Hg) and the value at microgravity was 117.3 + /- 5.3 mmHg. During pre-microgravity maneuver with 1 G, no changes were observed compared with the control level at 1 G (pre-microgravity: 105.0 +/- 5.0 vs 1G: 104.8 +/- 5.1 mm Hg ), whereas the MBP increased up to 117.0 +/- 6.5 mm Hg on exposure to microgravity. From these results, we found that in conscious rat MBP increase during acute microgravity exposure with either 1 G or hyper-G entry.

Deposition of bone-like apatite on silk fiber in a solution that mimics extracellular fluid.

The fabrication of apatite-organic polymer hybrids is one of several attractive methods for the development of biomaterials as a substitute for bone. Such materials have both bone-bonding ability and mechanical properties analogous to natural bone. The biomimetic process has focused attention on fabricating such hybrids, where bone-like apatite is deposited on an organic polymer surface in solutions that mimic physiological conditions. In this process, a bone-like apatite layer can be coated onto organic substrates either by using a simulated body fluid (SBF) with ion concentrations nearly equal to those of human extracellular fluid, or by using fluids that are supersaturated with respect to apatite at ambient conditions. In this study, we investigated the ability of natural silk and its related materials to facilitate apatite deposition under biomimetic conditions. Cloths made of raw silk or normal silk fibers were soaked in 1.5SBF, which has 1.5 times the ion concentration of SBF. Sericin film, which is made from an extract of degummed raw silk, was soaked in 1.5SBF. The cloth and the film soaked in 1.5SBF then were characterized by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), and thin-film X-ray diffraction (TF-XRD). Apatite deposition was observed on the surface of cloth made from raw silk fiber after it was soaked in 1.5SBF, but it was not observed on cloth made from normal silk fibers. The apatite deposition on the raw silk fiber cloth was accelerated when the fibers were subjected to treatment with CaCl(2) solution at a concentration of at least 1 kmol/m(3) before immersion in 1.5SBF. Apatite deposition also was observed on the sericin film after the film was soaked in 1.5SBF for 7 days. These results indicate that apatite deposition on raw silk cloth is attributable to the catalytic effect of sericin because the surface of raw silk consists of sericin whereas that of normal silk contains fibroin. The deposition of the apatite and its crystal growth are accelerated by the presence of calcium ions on the sericin after treatment with CaCl(2) solution. Thus, sericin on natural silk fiber has the potential to facilitate apatite deposition and can be useful as a polymer material in the fabrication of hybrid materials analogous to bone through biomimetic processes.