Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of spp. isolated from animal feed in Japan.

The rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacteria is a global health problem at the human, animal, and environmental interfaces, which necessitates the "One Health" approach. AMR of bacteria in animal feed are a potential cause of the prevalence in livestock; however, the role remains unclear. To date, there is limited research on AMR of bacteria in animal feed in Japan.

Practical long-term storage of strawberries in refrigerated containers at ice temperature.

This study investigated the effect of storage temperature in the presence or absence of film packaging on the Benihoppe and Kirapika varieties of Japanese strawberries stored for 28 days at 0°C and 3°C. The study was conducted in a 20-foot reefer container for practicality. Storage at 0°C suppressed decay and reduction in sugars and organic acids more efficiently than that at 3°C.

Improvement of gluten-free steamed bread quality by partial substitution of rice flour with powder of Apios americana tuber.

This study investigated the effect of powder made from tubers of the legume Apios americana (Apios) as a rice flour substitute in the making of gluten-free steamed bread. The carbohydrates of Apios powder were mainly starch and sucrose, and included legume-specific raffinose and stachyose. Apios powder contained almost no α-amylase but had a high level of β-amylase activity.

Effects of distribution of sugars and organic acids on the taste of strawberries.

The concentrations of sugars and organic acids as well as the total soluble solid (TSS) in different parts of the strawberry fruit were characterized. The data were used to create simulated fruit juice jellies, in order to clarify how the sugar and organic acid levels affect the taste. Such an approach eliminates the influence of external factors such as size, color, and texture when using real fruits in sensory evaluations.

An ascovirus isolated from Spodoptera litura (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) transmitted by the generalist endoparasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis (Braconidae: Hymenoptera).

The family Ascoviridae is a recently described virus family whose members are transmitted by parasitoids and cause chronic and lethal infections in lepidopteran insects. Little is known about the biology and ecology of ascoviruses, and few isolates have been found outside the United States. We report here the isolation of a new ascovirus variant from Spodoptera litura in Japan.

Anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-positive optic neuritis treated with double-filtration plasmapheresis.

Purpose: The anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody was recently reported to be associated with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Optic nerve involvements in many NMO cases are bilateral and the prognosis is poor. However, it has been suggested that plasma exchange is effective for those patients when steroid pulse therapy is ineffective.

Soluble fiber viscosity affects both goblet cell number and small intestine mucin secretion in rats.

We examined the role of soluble fiber viscosity in small intestinal mucin secretion. Viscosities were defined as the area under the viscosity curve (VAUC). Rats were fed a control diet or diets containing konjac mannan (KM) [low, medium, or high molecular weight (LKM, MKM, HKM), respectively] at 50 g/kg diet for 10 d.

Severe optic neuropathy caused by dichloromethane inhalation.

Purpose: In this paper, we report a case of severe optic neuropathy caused by dichloromethane inhalation.

Case: A 65-year-old man fell unconsciousness while cleaning a dichloromethane tank containing a small amount of dichloromethane (purity greater than 99%) and was transported to the emergency department of our hospital, after which he was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. After 1 month, narrowing of the visual field in both eyes was noted and the patient was referred to our department for additional examinations.

Distribution of amylose, nitrogen, and minerals in rice kernels with various characters.

The distribution of chemical constituents is known not to be even within a rice kernel. To improve the eating quality of rice or to give it some special traits by adjusting the milling intensity, we investigated the distribution of amylose, nitrogen (N), and specific minerals (P, K, Mg, Ca, and Mn) in rice kernels of 11 cultivars with various characteristics cultivated under similar conditions. The distributions of these constituents were determined using flour samples prepared consecutively by abrasive milling from the outer to the inner portions of hulled rice.