Effect of combining additional bakery enzymes and high pressure treatment on bread making qualities.

Various enzymes are added to dough to improve the quality. Two enzymes are α-amylase and hemicellulase (bakery enzymes), whose substrates are damaged starch and insoluble dietary fiber, respectively. They improve the formation of gluten networks in the dough, resulting in a higher specific loaf volume (SLV). The use of high-pressure treatment has also increased as a substitute for heat treatment and various products are being processed utilizing high-pressure treatment. This study investigated the effect of combing bakery enzyme and high-pressure treatment on dough qualities. The optimal concentration of bakery enzymes and high-pressure level were determined using response surface methodology and optimization technique. Bread dough was prepared by the optimal condition, 0.20% of bakery enzyme and 43 MPa of high-pressure treatment, and the bread dough was then baked. Optimal combining bakery enzyme and high-pressure treatment drastically improved bread making qualities such as increased SLV, higher concentrations of reducing sugar, and lower concentrations of damaged starch and insoluble dietary fiber compared to the control and to those that were only treated with bakery enzymes or high-pressure treatment, respectively. In addition, the bread with both bakery enzymes and high-pressure treatment showed improved micro structure in the crumb and maintained freshness longer.

Analysis of the relationship between bread-making quality and dough stress during the proofing process using near-isogenic lines of 'Harunoakebono'.

The physical properties of various white bread doughs made from the flours of 'Harunoakebono' and 10 genotypes of its near-isogenic lines with different compositions of high molecular weight glutenin subunit (HMWGs) were measured with the Creep method based on a Maxwell-2-element model. The expansion stress in the proofing process of various doughs was obtained by a numerical calculation method. The results indicated that doughs with high elastic characteristics, namely large relaxation time (τ0) and regularity coefficient of viscosity (ηN), have high dough stress throughout the proofing process and high stress at the proofing end (σend) and conversely, the low elastic dough with the small τ0 and ηN has the completely opposite tendency. This study also showed that there are significantly high correlations between the calculated σend and bread-making quality (BMQ) such as gas retention of dough and specific loaf volume (SLV). These results showed that BMQ, represented by SLV, of various white bread doughs were greatly influenced by the dough's physical properties, especially τ0 and ηN, which change with differences in the compositions of the HMWGs.

Optimization of enzymes addition to improve whole wheat bread making quality by response surface methodology and optimization technique.

The functional ingredients in whole wheat flour, such as dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, have beneficial health effects. However, the excessive amount of dietary fiber in whole wheat flour inhibits gluten network formation and diminishes bread making qualities (BMQ). Adding appropriate amounts of enzymes, α-amylase (AM) and hemicellulase (HC), could be a solution to these problems. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) created a response surface model and Solver (Excel add-in software) calculated the optimal amounts of the enzymes. Adding optimum concentrations of AM and HC drastically improved BMQ (gas retention of dough, specific loaf volume, and bread staling) of whole wheat flour dough and bread compared to whole wheat flour dough and bread without the enzymes. These results showed that combining RSM and Solver was an effective and reasonably easy method that determines optimal concentrations of enzymes to obtain the highest quality bread using whole wheat flour.

Permanent fixing or reversible trapping and release of DNA micropatterns on a gold nanostructure using continuous-wave or femtosecond-pulsed near-infrared laser light.

The use of localized surface plasmons (LSPs) for highly sensitive biosensors has already been investigated, and they are currently being applied for the optical manipulation of small nanoparticles. The objective of this work was the optical trapping of λ-DNA on a metallic nanostructure with femtosecond-pulsed (fs) laser irradiation. Continuous-wave laser irradiation, which is generally used for plasmon excitation, not only increased the electromagnetic field intensity but also generated heat around the nanostructure, causing the DNA to become permanently fixed on the plasmonic substrate. Using fs laser irradiation, on the other hand, the reversible trapping and release of the DNA was achieved by switching the fs laser irradiation on and off. This trap-and-release behavior was clearly observed using a fluorescence microscope. This technique can also be used to manipulate other biomolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, and polysaccharides and will prove to be a useful tool in the fabrication of biosensors.

Evaluation of fresh pasta-making properties of extra-strong common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

The relationship between characterictics of flour of common wheat varieties and fresh pasta-making qualitites was examined, and the fresh pasta-making properties of extra-strong varieties that have extra-strong dough were evaluated. There was a positive correlation between mixing time (PT) and hardness of boiled pasta, indicating that the hardness of boiled pasta was affected by dough properties. Boiled pasta made from extra-strong varieties, Yumechikara, Hokkai 262 and Hokkai 259, was harder than that from other varieties and commercial flour. There was a negative correlation between flour protein content and brightness of boiled pasta. The colors of boiled pasta made from Yumechikara and Hokkai 262 grown under the condition of standard manuring culture were superior to those of boiled pasta made from other varieties. Discoloration of boiled pasta made from Yumechikara grown under the condition of heavy manuring culture was caused by increase of flour protein content. On the other hand, discoloration of boiled pasta made from Hokkai 262 grown under the condition of heavy manuring culture was less than that of boiled pasta made from Yumechikara. These results indicate that pasta made from extra-strong wheat varieties has good hardness and that Hokkai 262 has extraordinary fresh pasta-making properties.

Sedation with dexmedetomidine hydrochloride during endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric cancer.

AIM: Although the treatment of early gastric cancer with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been widely carried out, a standardized method of sedation for ESD has not been established. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sedation with dexmedetomidine (DEX). METHODS: We conducted a randomized study involving 90 patients with gastric tumors who were intended to be treated with ESD. The patients were sedated either with DEX (i.v. infusion of 3.0 µg/kg per h over 5 min followed by continuous infusion at 0.4 µg/kg per h [n = 30]), propofol (PF [n = 30]), or midazolam (MDZ [n = 30]). In all groups, 1 mg MDZ was added i.v. as needed. RESULTS: En bloc resection of the gastric tumor was achieved in 88 (98%) patients. None of the DEX-sedated patients showed a significant reduction of the oxygen saturation level. The percentage of patients who showed body movement in the DEX group was significantly lower than those in the PF and MDZ groups, and the mean dose of additional MDZ in the DEX group was significantly smaller than that in the MDZ group. The rate of effective sedation was significantly higher in the DEX group compared with the MDZ or PF group. The mean length of ESD in the DEX group was 65 min, which was significantly shorter than in the other two groups. No DEX-sedated patient developed major surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Sedation with DEX is effective and safe for patients with gastric tumors who are undergoing ESD.

Deoxynivalenol Distribution in Flour and Bran of Spring Wheat Lines with Different Levels of Fusarium Head Blight Resistance.

The level of the fungal toxin deoxynivalenol (DON) in milled flour and its partitioning between flour and bran of 15 spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) lines with different levels of Fusarium head blight (FHB; mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum) resistance was investigated in Hokkaido, Japan between 2004 and 2007. The DON levels in flour (DONf) and bran (DONb) showed positive linear relationships with DON levels in whole kernels (DONk) (R2 = 0.94, n = 60, P ≤ 0.01 and R2 = 0.93, n = 60, P ≤ 0.01, respectively). Results indicated that the DON partitioning ratio between flour and bran is primarily related to the level of DONk, and the DON level was approximately doubled in DONb and halved in DONf for any level of DONk. Only one pattern of DON partitioning supported the conventional strategy to select FHB-resistant lines.

Effects of lipase, lipoxygenase, peroxidase and free fatty acids on volatile compound found in boiled buckwheat noodles.

BACKGROUND: Relationships between buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) flour lipase, lipoxygenase and peroxidase activity, along with levels of individual free fatty acids (FFAs) and levels of headspace volatile compounds of boiled buckwheat noodles, were investigated for 12 different buckwheat varieties. Enzyme activities and FFA levels in flour were correlated with their respective varietal arrays of boiled noodle headspace volatile compounds, measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The volatiles hexanal, tentative butanal, tentative 3-methylbutanal and tentative 2-methylbutanal showed significant positive correlation with one another, indicating that they may be generated through similar mechanisms. These important volatile components of buckwheat flavor were also positively correlated with lipase and/or peroxidase activity, indicating that enzymatic reactions are important in flavor generation in boiled buckwheat noodles. On the other hand, pentanal, which showed no significant correlation with any enzyme activity, showed a significant positive correlation to the levels of C18:2 and C18:3 FFAs, suggesting the existence of a 'non-enzymatic' and/or 'uncertain enzymatic pathway' for flavor generation in boiled buckwheat noodles. CONCLUSION: Lipase and peroxidase in buckwheat flour are important for flavor generation of boiled buckwheat noodles. This information is important for increasing desirable flavor of buckwheat products as well as for selecting varieties with improved flavor.

Colored potato extracts induce superoxide dismutase-2 mRNA via ERK1/2 pathway in HepG2 cells.

Rats fed a diet containing Shadow Queen (SQ), an anthocyanin-rich potato cultivar, previously showed an increase in the hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD)-2 mRNA level. We investigated whether an extract of SQ would directly increase the hepatic SOD-2 mRNA level in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, we estimated the intracellular signaling pathway for the induction of SOD-2 mRNA expression. HepG2 cells were stimulated using extracts of four crops, including SQ, for 12 h; only extracts of colored potatoes induced SOD-2 mRNA expression significantly. This induction of SOD-2 mRNA expression was blocked by an inhibitor of the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) 1/2 pathway. Furthermore, an extract of SQ increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 after 15 or 30 min of stimulation. These data indicate that an extract of SQ directly induces hepatic SOD-2 mRNA expression via activation of ERK1/2 pathway in HepG2 cells.

Yam contributes to improvement of glucose metabolism in rats.

To investigate whether yam improves glucose metabolism, yam-containing diets were given to Wistar rats. In a short-term experiment, fasted-rats were given 1.0 g of a control and 20% yam-containing diets. At 60 min after start of the feeding, glucose level in the yam diet group was lower or tended to be lower than that in the control diet. Insulin levels at 30 min and 60 min were significantly lower than those in the control group. In a long-term experiment, a normal diet (N) or 25% high fat diets with (Y) or without 15% yam powder (HF) were given to rats for 4 weeks. At 4 weeks, in an oral glucose tolerance test, the area under the curve (AUC) of plasma glucose level was higher in the HF group than that in the N group, whereas those in the Y groups did not differ from that in the N group. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels had similar tendency to the AUCs. Plasma leptin levels in the Y groups were significantly higher than that in the N group. In conclusion, yam may contribute to improvement of glucose metabolism. Additionally, we speculated that leptin level is possibly involved in the insulin-response to yam diets.

Comparison of phenolic compositions between common and tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum) sprouts.

The phenolic compositions of non-germinated/germinated seeds and seed sprouts (at 6-10 day-old) of common (Fagopyrum esculentum Möench) and tartary (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) buckwheats were investigated. Phenolic compounds, including chlorogenic acid, four C-glycosylflavones (orientin, isoorientin vitexin, isovitexin), rutin and quercetin, were determined in the seed sprouts by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the edible parts of common buckwheat sprouts, individual phenolics significantly increased during sprout growth from 6 to 10 days after sowing (DAS), whereas in tartary buckwheat sprouts they did not. While the sum contents of phenolic compounds in the edible part (mean 24.4mg/g DW at 6-10 DAS) of tartary buckwheat sprouts were similar to those of common buckwheat sprouts, rutin contents in the non-germinated/germinated seeds (mean 14.7mg/g DW) and edible parts (mean 21.8mg/g DW) of tartary buckwheat were 49- and 5-fold, respectively, higher than those of common buckwheat. Extracts of the edible parts of both species showed very similar free radical-scavenging activities (mean 1.7µmol trolox eq/g DW), suggesting that the overall antioxidative activity might be affected by the combination of identified phenolics and unidentified (minor) components. Therefore, buckwheat seed sprouts are recommended for their high antioxidative activity, as well as being an excellent dietary source of phenolic compounds, particularly tartary buckwheat sprouts, being rich in rutin.

[A case of probable autoimmune hepatitis from which the persistence of hepatitis A IgM antibody, and the improvement was pathologically obtained by ursodeoxycholic acid medication].

We present a 68 years old woman who was referred to our department due to impaired liver function. Hepatitis A IgM antibody and anti-nuclear antibody were positive, IgG, and gamma-globulin were elevated. Percutaneous liver biopsy was performed and autoimmune hepatitis was suspected pathologically. Oral administration of ursodeoxycholic acid was started and liver function was normalized three months later. The improvement of a hepatitis image was examined by percutaneous liver biopsy one year later. Although hepatitis A IgM antibody was positive throughout the course, hepatitis A virusemia was not considered the cause of persistent positive hepatitis A. IgM antibody could not be clarified. There was a possibility of a non-specific reaction and abnormalities in antibody production control were considered possible. We present this case and discuss the previous literature.

Structural identification of anthocyanins and analysis of concentrations during growth and flowering in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) petals.

The anthocyanin profiles and variety/breeding-line differences of anthocyanin concentrations in petals of common buckwheat flowers have been studied. Four anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-O-rhamnoside, and cyanidin 3-O-galactosyl-rhamnoside were isolated from the petals of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), separated using high performance liquid chromatography and identified using reversed-phase liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry techniques. In every variety/breeding line tested, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside was detected as the major anthocyanin and the next is cyanidin 3-O-glucoside whereas cyanidin 3-O-rhamnoside and cyanidin 3-O-galactosyl-rhamnoside were trace or not detectable in white and pink flowered buckwheat. Of all the varieties/breeding lines tested, Gan-Chao, a Chinese variety, contained the highest amount of anthocyanins. The largest part of cyanidin moiety was presented as a proanthocyanidin form (PAs-Cy). Anthocyanins and PAs-Cy in petals were increased along with increase of flower development stages. Therefore, fully developed petals of red flowered buckwheat, especially Gan-Chao, are promising as a new anthocyanin-rich material for food processing.

Identification of anthocyanins in the sprouts of buckwheat.

The anthocyanin profiles and varieties/breeding line differences of anthocyanin concentrations in common/tartary buckwheat sprouts have been studied. Four anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, and cyanidin 3-O-galactopyranosyl-rhamnoside, were isolated from the sprouts of common buckwheat, were separated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and were identified using reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC)/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS)/MS techniques. In tartary buckwheat sprouts, two anthocyanins (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside) were identified. Among 19 common/tartary buckwheat varieties/breeding lines, Hokkai T10 contained the highest amounts of anthocyanins. Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside concentrations in 6-10 days after seeding sprouts of Hokkai T10 ranged from 0.16 to 0.20 mg/g dry wt and from 5.55 to 6.57 mg/g dry wt, respectively. In addition, dark-grown sprouts of Hokkai T10 accumulated 0.091 and 2.77 mg/g dry wt of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside whereas other varieties/breeding lines accumulated trace amounts of anthocyanins. Given its anthocyanin-rich red cotyledons, Hokkai T10 is a promising line for use as "Moyashi" type sprouts and is strongly recommended as a new functional food, rich in dietary anthocyanins.

Tartary buckwheat sprout powder lowers plasma cholesterol level in rats.

We examined the effects of different types of buckwheat sprouts on the plasma cholesterol concentration, fecal steroid excretion and hepatic mRNA expression related to cholesterol metabolism in rats. Rats were fed a cholesterol-free diet with 5 g of Kitawasesoba common buckwheat sprout powder (KS)/100 g, 5 g of Hokkai T no. 8 tartary buckwheat sprout powder (HS-8)/100 g or 5 g of Hokkai T no. 9 tartary buckwheat sprout powder (HS-9)/100 g of diet for 4 wk. Control rats were fed a diet with alpha-cornstarch instead of sprout powder for 4 wk. There were no significant differences in food intake, body weight, liver weight or cecal contents among the groups. Plasma total cholesterol concentrations in the HS-8 and HS-9 groups were significantly lower than in the control group, whereas there was no significant difference between the KS and control groups. Fecal bile acid excretion and cecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations in the KS, HS-8 and HS-9 groups were significantly greater than in the control group. Furthermore, fecal matter excretion in the KS, HS-8 and HS-9 groups tended to be increased compared to the control group, with that in the HS-8 group being significantly higher than in the control group. Hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase mRNA expression in the KS, HS-8 and HS-9 groups and hepatic HMG-CoA reductase mRNA expression in the HS-9 group were significantly higher than in the control group. The results suggest that tartary buckwheat sprout powder has a serum cholesterol-lowering function by enhancing fecal bile acid excretion through increased fecal matter excretion or the upregulation of hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase mRNA expression in rats.

[Clinical pathway for inpatients with gastric ulcer: evaluation of usefulness].

Based on the results of a retrospective review of clinical data on inpatients with gastric ulcer treated at our department, we devised on original clinical pathway and tested it in the clinical setting. From the results obtained, we created an improved clinical pathway and evaluated its usefulness. The duration of hospitalization was 16.2 +/- 6.9 (mean +/- SD) days in the non-path group, 14.1 +/- 3.0 days in the original path group, and 10.9 +/- 2.0 days in the improved path group. The hospital time was significantly shorter in the improved path group. For patients with bleeding gastric ulcer, the duration of hospitalization was 18.0 +/- 6.3 days in the non-path group, 15.1 +/- 2.3 days in the original path group, and 11.2 +/- 1.8 days in the improved path group. This period was also significantly shorter in the improved path group. With regard to the occurrence of rebleeding from the gastric ulcers, there were no significant differences between the non-path group and both clinical path groups. These results indicate that devising a clinical pathway is useful for shortening the duration of hospitalization for patients with gastric ulcer.

Selective optical assembly of highly uniform nanoparticles by doughnut-shaped beams.

A highly efficient natural light-harvesting antenna has a ring-like structure consisting of dye molecules whose absorption band changes through selective evolutionary processes driven by external stimuli, i.e., sunlight depending on its territory and thermal fluctuations. Inspired by this fact, here, we experimentally and theoretically demonstrate the selective assembling of ring-like arrangements of many silver nanorods with particular shapes and orientations onto a substrate by the light-induced force of doughnut beams with different colours (wavelengths) and polarizations in conjunction with thermal fluctuations at room temperature. Furthermore, the majority of nanorods are electromagnetically coupled to form a prominent red-shifted collective mode of localized surface plasmons resonant with the wavelength of the irradiated light, where a spectral broadening also appears for the efficient broadband optical response. The discovered principle is a promising route for "bio-inspired selective optical assembly" of various nanomaterials that can be used in the wide field of nanotechnology.

Evaluation of radiation force acting on macromolecules by combination of Brownian dynamics simulation with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

The effect of optical gradient force from a focused laser beam on the fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) was investigated by a computing method based on Brownian dynamics simulation. A series of calculations revealed that, in relatively shallow optical force potential up to 1.0kTR (TR=298.15 K), the conventional theoretical model of FCS without consideration of the optical gradient force could evaluate the increase in the average number of molecules and the diffusion time in the potential. On the other hand, large deviation between the simulated fluorescence correlation curve and the theoretical model was observed under the potential depth >1.0kTR. In addition, by integrating the optical force potential with the temperature elevation under optical trapping condition, it was deduced that the temperature rise does not seriously affect the average number of particles in the sampling area, but the average residence time is more sensitively affected by the temperature elevation. The present study using the simulation also provides a method to experimentally estimate molecular polarizabilities from FCS measurements.

Time-course study and effects of drying method on concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid, flavonoids, anthocyanin, and 2''-hydroxynicotianamine in leaves of buckwheats.

Concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), rutin, minor flavonoids (such as orientin), anthocyanin, and 2''-hydroxynicotianamine (2HN) were quantified in the leaves of common and tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench and Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn., respectively), at 14, 28, and 42 days after sowing (DAS). GABA and rutin concentrations peaked at 42 DAS, whereas anthocyain, 2HN, and minor flavonoid concentrations declined with the age of the plants. However, at 42 DAS, anthocyanin concentrations in the leaves of tartary buckwheat Hokkai T10 leaves were at least 10-fold greater than in the other buckwheats tested. In addition, the effects on target compound concentrations and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of three different drying methods (20 h at 40 degrees C, 7 h at 70 degrees C, or lyophilization) were investigated. In general, the drying method had no significant effect on the parameters tested. These results indicate that, in terms of GABA, rutin, and anthocyanin concentrations, leaf powder from 42 day old Hokkai T10 has the potential to be a useful food ingredient, such as Ao-jiru juice.