Effect of protein on the thermogenesis performance of natural rubber matrix.

Under high-speed strain, the thermogenesis performance of natural rubber products is unstable, leading to aging and early failure of the material. The quality of rubber latex and eventually that of the final products depends among others on the protein content. We found that when the protein is almost removed, the heat generated by the vulcanized rubber increases rapidly.

Sweet preference modified by early experience in mice and the related molecular modulations on the peripheral pathway.

The sweet taste is of immense interest to scientists and has been intensively studied during the last two decades. However, the sweet preference modification and the related mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we try to establish a mice model with manipulated sweet taste preference and explore the involved possible molecular mechanisms.

Effects of early intraoral acesulfame-K stimulation to mice on the adult's sweet preference and the expression of α-gustducin in fungiform papilla.

Exposure to artificial sweetener acesulfame-K (AK) at early development stages may influence the adult sweet preference and the periphery gustatory system. We observed that the intraoral AK stimulation to mice from postnatal day 4 (P4) to weaning decreased the preference thresholds for AK and sucrose solutions in adulthood, with the preference pattern unchanged. The preference scores were increased in the exposure group significantly when compared with the control group at a range of concentrations for AK or sucrose solution.

Effects of mother's dietary exposure to acesulfame-K in Pregnancy or lactation on the adult offspring's sweet preference.

This study investigates whether mother's exposure to the artificial sweetener acesulfame-K (AK) during pregnancy or lactation affected her adult offspring's sweet preference. It was found that mother's dietary exposure to AK in pregnancy or lactation decreased the preference thresholds for AK and sucrose solutions in the adult offspring, whereas the preference pattern and the most preferred concentration for AK or sucrose solution were unchanged. Furthermore, the preference scores in the exposure groups were increased significantly when compared with the control group at a range of concentrations for AK or sucrose solution.

Facilitation of the development of fungiform taste buds by early intraoral acesulfame-K stimulation to mice.

The gustatory system is susceptible to anatomical modification by postnatal taste stimulations. This study investigated the effects of early intraoral infusion of acesulfame-K solution on the development of fungiform taste buds in mice. It was found that the acesulfame-K infusion increased the number, promoted the maturation, and enlarged the size of taste bud during the postnatal stages, compared with the age-matched controls.

The relationship between fungiform papillae density and detection threshold for sucrose in the young males.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of fungiform papillae density with taste detection thresholds for sucrose of young male adults. One hundred and eighty two subjects aged 18-23 years (mean age: 21.9 +/- 1.