Vanillin production by Corynebacterium glutamicum using heterologous aromatic carboxylic acid reductases.

Background: Vanillin is a flavoring substance derived from vanilla. We are currently developing a biotransformation method for vanillin production using glucose. This report describes the last step in vanillin production: the conversion of vanillic acid to vanillin.

Efficient enzymatic production of benzaldehyde from l-phenylalanine with a mutant form of 4-hydroxymandelate synthase.

Benzaldehyde is an organic compound with an almond-like aroma and one of the most important and widely used flavorings in the food industry. To develop an enzymatic process for the production of benzaldehyde from l-phenylalanine, four enzymes were expressed in Escherichia coli; l-amino acid deaminase, 4-hydroxymandelate synthase, (S)-mandelate dehydrogenase, and benzoylformate decarboxylase. Although each E.

Work-family conflict as a mediator between occupational stress and psychological health among mental health nurses in Japan.

Background: Occupational stress among mental health nurses may affect their psychological health, resulting in reduced performance. To provide high-quality, sustainable nursing care, it is necessary to identify and control the factors associated with psychological health among mental health nurses. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of work-family conflict (WFC) in the well-known relationship between occupational stress and psychological health among mental health nurses in Japan.

Influence of an elemental diet on 5-fluorouracil-induced morphological changes in the mouse salivary gland and colon.

Purpose: The elemental diet (ED) Elental® reportedly reduces adverse reactions to chemotherapy in digestive system cancer patients; however, the mechanism is unclear. Therefore, we verified the protective effect of ED against gastrointestinal disorders induced by the antineoplastic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

Methods: After 5 days of tail vein injections of 40 mg/kg/day 5-FU in female BALB/c mice, the mice were given oral ED (ED group) or dextrin with the same number of calories (control group).

Epithelial cell ADAM17 activation by Helicobacter pylori: role of ADAM17 C-terminus and Threonine-735 phosphorylation.

Helicobacter pylori transactivates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on gastric epithelial cells via a signalling cascade involving a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) cleavage of membrane bound heparin binding-epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF). The effects of H. pylori on ADAM17 C-terminus in epithelial cells have been examined.

Relationship between occupational stress and depression among psychiatric nurses in Japan.

Psychiatric nursing is a stressful area of nursing practice. The purpose of this study was to examine occupational stress among psychiatric nurses in Japan. In this cross-sectional study, 238 psychiatric nurses were recruited from 7 hospitals.

Food antigen-induced immune responses in Crohn's disease patients and experimental colitis mice.

Background: In Crohn's disease (CD), the involvement of food antigens in immune responses remains unclear. The objective of this study was to detect immune responses against food antigens in CD patients and examine the mechanism in a mouse model of colitis.

Methods: We enrolled 98 CD patients, 50 ulcerative colitis patients, and 52 healthy controls (HCs) to compare the levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)Gs against 88 foods.

Preparation of sustained-release coated particles by novel microencapsulation method using three-fluid nozzle spray drying technique.

We prepared sustained-release microcapsules using a three-fluid nozzle (3N) spray drying technique. The 3N has a unique, three-layered concentric structure composed of inner and outer liquid nozzles, and an outermost gas nozzle. Composite particles were prepared by spraying a drug suspension and an ethylcellulose solution via the inner and outer nozzles, respectively, and mixed at the nozzle tip (3N-PostMix).

Design of self-dispersible dry nanosuspension through wet milling and spray freeze-drying for poorly water-soluble drugs.

The purpose of the present research is to establish a novel nanosizing technique starting from wet nano-milling, named "dry nanosuspension" technique for poorly water-soluble drugs. The spray freeze-drying (SFD) method was applied instead of the spray-drying one previously developed. Drug particles were milled in the aqueous solution of dispersing agents using an oscillating beads-milling apparatus.

Design of sustained release fine particles using two-step mechanical powder processing: particle shape modification of drug crystals and dry particle coating with polymer nanoparticle agglomerate.

We attempted to prepare sustained release fine particles using a two-step mechanical powder processing method; particle-shape modification and dry particle coating. First, particle shape of bulk drug was modified by mechanical treatment to yield drug crystals suitable for the coating process. Drug crystals became more rounded with increasing rotation speed, which demonstrates that powerful mechanical stress yields spherical drug crystals with narrow size distribution.

[Effect of concomitant use of dental drug on the properties of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor formulation for periodontal disease].

We have discussed the essential property for periodontal disease medication using protein, such as recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (rhbFGF). In our previous study, the criteria of thickener for the medication, viscosity, flowability etc., were set.

Effects of EGFR Inhibitor on Helicobacter pylori Induced Gastric Epithelial Pathology in Vivo.

Helicobacter pylori transactivates the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and predisposes to gastric cancer development in humans and animal models. To examine the importance of EGFR signalling to gastric pathology, this study investigated whether treatment of Mongolian gerbils with a selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, EKB-569, altered gastric pathology in chronic H. pylori infection.

[Effect of crystalline metastasis of lactose on hardness of compressed baby milk powder].

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the crystalline metastasis of lactose, which is a main component baby milk powder, and the hardness of baby milk powder compressed by humidification followed by drying. Because baby milk powder is manufactured using a spray dryer, lactose in compressed baby milk powder exists in an amorphous (solid dispersion) form. X-ray diffraction measurement showed that this amorphous lactose metastasized to β-form crystalline lactose, and thereafter metastasized to the α-form during the humidification-drying process.

Evaluation of disintegration properties of orally rapidly disintegrating tablets using a novel disintegration tester.

This report describes a new disintegration tester that can determine not only the disintegration time of orally rapidly disintegrating tablets (ODT), but also the disintegration behavior and mechanism. Using the tester, the disintegration properties of the tablets prepared in a previous study were examined. The purpose of this study is to confirm the utility of the tester as an instrument for evaluating the disintegration properties of ODT and determine relations among time, behavior and mechanism of the disintegration.

Factor structure of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale in community-dwelling subjects in Japan.

This study examined the internal consistency and structural/construct validity of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) for community-dwelling subjects in Japan. A cross-sectional study that included 929 participants was conducted. Structural/construct validity was assessed on confirmatory factor analysis.

Investigation of surfactants suitable for stabilizing of latanoprost.

The content of latanoprost, a therapeutic drug for glaucoma, is likely to decrease in solution. In a previous study, we confirmed that this was associated with latanoprost adsorption to the container and hydrolysis of latanoprost, and established a formulation of latanoprost eye drop solution that can be stored at room temperature. In addition, we clarified that a surfactant added to the formulation stabilized latanoprost by forming complex micelle.

Spray freeze-dried porous microparticles of a poorly water-soluble drug for respiratory delivery.

Particles of poorly water-soluble drugs were prepared to develop a dry powder inhaler (DPI). Spray freeze-drying (SFD) technique using a four-fluid nozzle (4N), which has been developed by authors, was applied in this research. Ciclosporin and mannitol were used as a poorly water-soluble model drug and a dissolution-enhanced carrier, respectively.

Novel ultra-cryo milling and co-grinding technique in liquid nitrogen to produce dissolution-enhanced nanoparticles for poorly water-soluble drugs.

A novel ultra-cryo milling micronization technique for pharmaceutical powders using liquid nitrogen (LN2 milling) was used to grind phenytoin, a poorly water-soluble drug, to improve its dissolution rate. LN2 milling produced particles that were much finer and more uniform in size and shape than particles produced by jet milling. However, the dissolution rate of LN2-milled phenytoin was the same as that of unground phenytoin due to agglomeration of the submicron particles.

Effect of age and disease on bone mass in Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

Background: There have been a limited number of studies comparing bone mass between patients with schizophrenia and the general population. The aim of this study was to compare the bone mass of schizophrenia patients with that of healthy subjects in Japan.

Methods: We recruited patients (n = 362), aged 48.

Development of a novel ultra cryo-milling technique for a poorly water-soluble drug using dry ice beads and liquid nitrogen.

A novel ultra cryo-milling micronization technique has been established using dry ice beads and liquid nitrogen (LN2). Drug particles were co-suspended with dry ice beads in LN2 and ground by stirring. Dry ice beads were prepared by storing dry ice pellets in LN2.

Development of formulation device for periodontal disease.

In addition to providing standard surgical treatment that removes the plaque and infected tissues, medications that can regenerate periodontal tissue are also required in the treatment of periodontal disease. As a form of regenerative medication, various growth factors are expected to be used while treating periodontal disease. A protein-like growth factor is often developed as a lyophilized product with dissolution liquid, considering its instability in the solution state.

[Making tablets of powdered milk and the physical properties].

Compressed baby milk powder has proven to be very convenient for parents due to the ease with which it can be handled, and the fact that use of a measuring scoop is not necessary. The purpose of this study was to develop a compressed baby milk powder and analyze the resulting physical properties. The basic production process consisted of the following steps: 1) molding milk powder by low compression pressure, 2) humidification at 25°C·97%RH and 3) drying with use of a desiccant.

Preparation and evaluation of orally rapidly disintegrating tablets containing taste-masked particles using one-step dry-coated tablets technology.

In this study, in order to address the problems with manufacturing orally rapidly disintegrating tablets (ODT) containing functional (taste masking or controlled release) coated particles, such as the low compactability of coated particles and the rupture of coated membrane during compression, a novel ODT containing taste-masked coated particles (TMP) in the center of the tablets were prepared using one-step dry-coated tablets (OSDrC) technology. As a reference, physical-mixture tablets (PM) were prepared by a conventional tableting method, and the properties of the tablets and the effect of compression on the characteristics of TMP were evaluated. OSDrC was found to have higher tensile strength and far lower friability than PM, but the oral disintegration time of OSDrC is slightly longer than that of PM following high compression pressure.