Glazing Affects the Fermentation Process of Sake Brewed in Pottery.

Sake (Japanese rice wine) was fermented in pottery for more than a millennium before wooden barrels were adopted to obtain a greater brewing capacity. Although a recently conducted analysis of sake brewed in pottery indicated that sake brewed in unglazed pottery contains more ethanol than that brewed in glazed pottery, little is known about the characteristics of sake brewed in pottery. In this study, we used two types of ceramic containers of identical size, one glazed and one unglazed, for small-scale sake brewing to evaluate the effects of glazing on fermentation properties.

sp. nov. and sp. nov., two novel oleaginous basidiomycetous yeast species.

Three strains of novel oleaginous yeast species were isolated from soil samples collected in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) of the rRNA genes indicated that these novel yeast species are members of the genus . The results of molecular phylogenetic analysis indicated that strains 38-3 and 8s1 were closely related to .

Emergence of [GAR ] cells in yeast from sake brewing affects the fermentation properties.

In the traditional (kimoto) method of sake (Japanese rice wine) brewing, Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells are exposed to lactate, which is produced by lactic acid bacteria in the seed mash. Lactate promotes the appearance of glucose-repression-resistant [GAR ] cells. Herein, we compared the resistance to glucose repression among kimoto, industrial, and laboratory yeast strains.

domination during the fermentation of Japanese traditional fermented fish (funazushi).

Funazushi is a Japanese traditional fermented fish made with boiled rice without the addition of microbial starter cultures. Isolates from various commercial funazushi products, as identified by 16S rDNA sequences, suggested that strains are major lactic acid bacteria. Based on an analysis of the putative CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat) region, the genetic diversity of strains was examined.

Accuracy of two pulse-oximetry measurements for INTELLiVENT-ASV in mechanically ventilated patients: a prospective observational study.

Recently, maintaining a certain oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO) range in mechanically ventilated patients was recommended; attaching the INTELLiVENT-ASV to ventilators might be beneficial. We evaluated the SpO measurement accuracy of a Nihon Kohden and a Masimo monitor compared to actual arterial oxygen saturation (SaO). SpO was simultaneously measured by a Nihon Kohden and Masimo monitor in patients consecutively admitted to a general intensive care unit and mechanically ventilated.

Predictive factors for successful INTELLiVENT-ASV® use: a retrospective observational study.

Background: INTELLiVENT-ASV® (I-ASV) is a closed-loop ventilation mode that automatically controls the ventilation settings. Although a number of studies have reported the usefulness of I-ASV, the clinical situations in which it may be useful have not yet been clarified. We aimed to report our initial 3 years of experience using I-ASV, particularly the clinical conditions and the technical and organizational factors associated with its use.

Thrombomodulin, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 and Protein C Levels, and Organ Dysfunction in Sepsis.

Unlabelled: Since endothelial function is closely related to organ dysfunction in sepsis and the relationship among endothelial injury, organ dysfunction, and other biomarkers remains unclear, we aimed to evaluate the correlation among endothelial injury, organ dysfunction, and several biomarkers in patients with sepsis.

Design: This was a retrospective observational study.

Setting: The study was conducted in a university hospital with 14 mixed ICU beds.

Biomarker profiles of coagulopathy and alveolar epithelial injury in acute respiratory distress syndrome with idiopathic/immune-related disease or common direct risk factors.

Background: Altered coagulation and alveolar injury are the hallmarks of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, whether the biomarkers that reflect pathophysiology differ depending on the etiology of ARDS has not been examined. This study aimed to investigate the biomarker profiles of coagulopathy and alveolar epithelial injury in two subtypes of ARDS: patients with direct common risk factors (dARDS) and those with idiopathic or immune-related diseases (iARDS), which are classified as "ARDS without common risk factors" based on the Berlin definition.

Problem-Solving Exercise for Undergraduate Students Involving the Japanese Fermented Food Natto.

Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans fermented by . Because natto is high in protein and contains healthful bacteria, dieticians and producers have campaigned for higher consumption of natto in areas such as Kansai, where our university is located. One of the reasons for the low consumption of natto is its distinctive flavor.

Lipid production via simultaneous conversion of glucose and xylose by a novel yeast, Cystobasidium iriomotense.

The yeast strains IPM32-16, ISM28-8sT, and IPM46-17, isolated from plant and soil samples from Iriomote Island, Japan, were explored in terms of lipid production during growth in a mixture of glucose and xylose. Phylogenetically, the strains were most closely related to Cystobasidium slooffiae, based on the sequences of the ITS regions and the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rRNA gene. The strains were oleaginous, accumulating lipids to levels > 20% dry cell weight.

Transient hyperlactatemia during intravenous administration of glycerol: a prospective observational study.

Background: Intravenous glycerol treatment, usually administered in the form of a 5% fructose solution, can be used to reduce intracranial pressure. The administered fructose theoretically influences blood lactate levels, although little is known regarding whether intravenous glycerol treatment causes transient hyperlactatemia. This study aimed to evaluate blood lactate levels in patients who received intravenous glycerol or mannitol.

Body weight definitions for evaluating a urinary diagnosis of acute kidney injury in patients with sepsis.

Background: We hypothesized that the use of actual body weight might lead to more frequent misdiagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) than when ideal body weight is used in underweight and/or obese patients. We examined which definition of body weight is most effective in establishing a urinary diagnosis of AKI in septic patients.

Methods: Consecutive patients aged ≥ 20 years admitted to the intensive care unit of a university hospital between June 2011 and December 2016 were analyzed.

Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Japanese Fermented Fish (Funa-Sushi) Inhibit Mesangial Proliferative Glomerulonephritis by Alcohol Intake with Stress.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of heat-killed NFRI 7415 on kidney and bone in mice fed an ethanol-containing diet with stress. Eight-week-old Cril  :  CD1 mice were fed a control diet (CD), an alcohol diet (AD) (35.8% of total energy from ethanol), or an alcohol diet containing 20% heat-killed NFRI 7415 (10 CFU/g) (LD) for 4 weeks.

Markers of acute kidney injury in patients with sepsis: the role of soluble thrombomodulin.

Background: Endothelial activation and damage occur early during sepsis, with activated coagulopathy and playing a major role in the pathophysiology of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of this study was to compare the various biomarkers of endothelial injury with the biomarkers of coagulation and inflammation and to determine a significant predictor of AKI in patients with sepsis.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, observational study on patients with sepsis fulfilling the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock criteria admitted to an adult intensive care unit (ICU) at a university hospital from June 2011 to December 2016.

Metabolic engineering of oleaginous fungus Mortierella alpina for high production of oleic and linoleic acids.

The aim of this work was to study the molecular breeding of oleaginous filamentous Mortierella alpina for high production of linoleic (LA) or oleic acid (OA). Heterologous expression of the Δ12-desaturase (DS) gene derived from Coprinopsis cinerea in the Δ6DS activity-defective mutant of M. alpina increased the LA production rate as to total fatty acid to 5 times that in the wild strain.

Draft Genome Sequences of the Xylose-Fermenting Yeast NBRC 1983 and a Thermotolerant Isolate of ATY839 (JCM 18690).

Draft genome sequences of the type strain (NBRC 1983) and a thermotolerant isolate (ATY839) of the xylose-fermenting yeast were determined. The genome sizes and presumed open reading frames were highly similar between strains NBRC 1983 and ATY839.

Modulation of fatty acid composition and growth in Sporosarcina species in response to temperatures and exogenous branched-chain amino acids.

Psychrotolerant endospore-forming Sporosarcina species have been predominantly isolated from minced fish meat (surimi), which is stored under refrigeration after heat treatment. To develop a better method for preserving surimi-based food products, we studied the growth and fatty acid compositions of the isolated strain S92h as well as Sporosarcina koreensis and Sporosarcina aquimarina at cold and moderate temperatures. The growth rates of strain S92h and S.

Lipid production through simultaneous utilization of glucose, xylose, and L-arabinose by Pseudozyma hubeiensis: a comparative screening study.

Co-fermentation of glucose, xylose and L-arabinose from lignocellulosic biomass by an oleaginous yeast is anticipated as a method for biodiesel production. However, most yeasts ferment glucose first before consuming pentoses, due to glucose repression. This preferential utilization results in delayed fermentation time and lower productivity.

Immature platelet fraction predicts coagulopathy-related platelet consumption and mortality in patients with sepsis.

Introduction: The diagnostic and prognostic value of immature platelet fraction (IPF) in sepsis has not been determined. This study aimed to assess whether IPF is an early predictor of platelet decline due to coagulopathy and is associated with mortality in patients with sepsis.

Materials And Methods: In total, 149 patients with a platelet count of ≥80×10(3)/μL on intensive care unit admission (101 with sepsis, 48 controls without sepsis) were prospectively evaluated.

Direct ethanol production from starch using a natural isolate, Scheffersomyces shehatae: Toward consolidated bioprocessing.

Consolidated bioprocessing (CBP), which integrates enzyme production, saccharification and fermentation into a one-step process, is a promising strategy for cost-effective ethanol production from starchy biomass. To gain insights into starch-based ethanol production using CBP, an extensive screening was undertaken to identify naturally occurring yeasts that produce ethanol without the addition of any amylases. Three yeast strains were capable of producing a significant amount of ethanol.

Isolation and characterization of psychrotolerant endospore-forming Sporosarcina species associated with minced fish meat (surimi).

We studied the changes of resident microbiota in surimi-minced fish meat-during heat-treatment and subsequent cold-storage via the sequencing of partial 16S rRNA gene. Raw surimi made from Alaska pollock, pike conger, and white croaker was contaminated with 10(4) to 10(6)CFU/g of various non-endospore-forming bacteria. Immediately after heat-treatment, the bacterial counts were significantly reduced to less than 1CFU/g, and only endospore-forming bacteria, identified as Bacillus species were retrieved.

Identification of a gene, FMP21, whose expression levels are involved in thermotolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Elucidation of the mechanism of high temperature tolerance in yeasts is important for the molecular breeding of high temperature-tolerant yeasts that can be used in bioethanol production. We identified genes whose expression is correlated with the degree of thermotolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by DNA microarray analysis. Gene expression profiles of three S.

Trehalose accumulation enhances tolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to acetic acid.

Trehalose confers protection against various environmental stresses on yeast cells. In this study, trehalase gene deletion mutants that accumulate trehalose at high levels showed significant stress tolerance to acetic acid. The enhancement of trehalose accumulation can thus be considered a target in the breeding of acetic acid-tolerant yeast strains.