A Novel C-Terminal Truncated Bacteriocin Found by Comparison between 406 and 213M0 Isolated from Mongolian Traditional Fermented Milk, Airag.

Bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria are known to be useful tools for food biopreservation and fermentation control. subsp. 406 and 213M0 isolated from different samples of Mongolian traditional fermented milk, airag, had been reported to produce listericidal bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances with similar but slightly different properties.

Mesothelioma carcinogenesis of chrysotile and forsterite compared and validated by intraperitoneal injection in rat.

Asbestos, especially chrysotile, continues to be exposed to humans globally. Hence, it should be disposed properly to prevent asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. This study aimed to verify whether forsterite, a heating product of chrysotile, can cause carcinogenicity, particularly mesothelioma.

4D Flow MRI Reflects Physiological Hemodynamics for the Diagnosis and Management of Portosystemic Shunts.

A woman in her sixties with portosystemic shunt and hepatic encephalopathy underwent open mesenteric vein ligation, resulting in improved portal flow and blood ammonia. In this case, 4D flow MRI was a valuable diagnostic and follow-up tool, visualizing and quantifying physiological portal hemodynamics with features distinct from those of contrast-enhanced CT and digital subtraction angiography. Our case study highlights the value of 4D flow MRI for managing portosystemic shunts.

A Thickening Agent Using Powder Exhibits Suitable Properties for People with Dysphagia.

In an aging society, the novel concept of added food functionality in a dysphagia diet is necessary for preventing diseases and maintain nutrition intake. The present study evaluated the utilization of as a thickened liquid for people with dysphagia due to its unique physical properties and beneficial effects on chronic inflammation. The viscosity of the prepared thickened liquid using freeze-dried powder was compared with those of xanthan gum and commercially available thickened liquids in selected conditions resembling to cooking.

Effects of an environmental endocrine disruptor, para-nonylphenol on the cell growth of Euglena gracilis: association with the cellular oxidative stress.

Effects of an environmental endocrine disruptor, para-nonylphenol (NP) on the cell growth of a photosynthetic eukaryotic microorganism, Euglena gracilis were analysed under different cell culture conditions. Although NP did not show significant inhibitory effects on the cell growth of E. gracilis (Z and SM strains) under light culture condition, NP exhibited significant suppressive effects under dark culture condition.

and its ingredient biopterin glucoside improved insulin sensitivity in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is the chronic liver disease leading to cirrhosis and cancer and its prevalence is increasing. Some agents are under clinical trials for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis treatment. We previously reported effectively prevented non-alcoholic steatohepatitis progression in our model rats.

Association of night eating habits with metabolic syndrome and its components: a longitudinal study.

Background: Night time eating is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome and obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dinner immediately before bed, snacks after dinner, or combinations of both were associated with metabolic syndrome and its components in a large Japanese cohort.

Methods: We enrolled 8153 adults aged 40-54 years who participated in specific medical checkups in an Okayama facility from 2009 to 2010 and from 2013 to 2014.

Draft Genome Sequence of Leuconostoc mesenteroides 213M0, Isolated from Traditional Fermented Mare Milk Airag in Bulgan Aimag, Mongolia.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides213M0 was isolated from traditional fermented mare milk airag in Bulgan Aimag, Mongolia. This strain produces a listericidal bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of this organism.

Draft Genome Sequence of Leuconostoc mesenteroides 406 Isolated from the Traditional Fermented Mare Milk Airag in Tuv Aimag, Mongolia.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides406 was isolated from the traditional fermented mare milk airag in Tuv Aimag, Mongolia. This strain produces an antilisterial bacteriocin. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of this organism.

Muscle dysfunction associated with adjuvant-induced arthritis is prevented by antioxidant treatment.

Background: In addition to the primary symptoms arising from inflamed joints, muscle weakness is prominent and frequent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we investigated the mechanisms of arthritis-induced muscle dysfunction in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA).

Methods: AIA was induced in the knees of rats by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant and was allowed to develop for 21 days.

Three calpain isoforms are autolyzed in rat fast-twitch muscle after eccentric contractions.

The present study investigated changes in autolysis of three calpain isoforms in skeletal muscles undergoing eccentric contractions (ECC), leading to prolonged force deficits. Rat extensor digitorum longus and tibialis anterior muscles were exposed to 200-repeated ECC in situ, excised immediately after or 3 or 6 days after cessation of ECC, and used for measures of force output and for biochemical analyses. Full restoration of tetanic force in ECC-treated muscles was not attained until 6 days of recovery.

Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to deconjugation of quercetin glucuronides in inflammatory macrophages.

Dietary flavonoids, such as quercetin, have long been recognized to protect blood vessels from atherogenic inflammation by yet unknown mechanisms. We have previously discovered the specific localization of quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (Q3GA), a phase II metabolite of quercetin, in macrophage cells in the human atherosclerotic lesions, but the biological significance is poorly understood. We have now demonstrated the molecular basis of the interaction between quercetin glucuronides and macrophages, leading to deconjugation of the glucuronides into the active aglycone.

Analysis and functionality of major polyphenolic components of Polygonum cuspidatum (itadori).

Polygonum cuspidatum has been broadly utilized as a herbal medicine in Asia, but the outline of the polyphenol compounds in the plant has not been characterized well. In the present study, the major polyphenolic components were isolated from the roots of P. cuspidatum, and identified as resveratrol and its glucosides, resveratroloside and polydatin.

N-glycans linked to glycoproteins in edible beans (zatsu-mame): natural resources for bioactive oligosaccharides.

In this study, we analyzed structural features of the N-glycans linked to glycoproteins expressed in various edible beans to identify excellent sources of useful N-glycans and N-glycopeptides. Structural analysis of N-glycans of the glycopeptides prepared from the pepsin digests of bean powder that the useful high-mannose type N-glycans occur predominantly in Phaseolus and Vigna beans; tora bean for Man₉GlcNAc₂-Asn, dainagon bean for Man₈GlcNAc₂-Asn, and azuki bean for Man₇GlcNAc₂-Asn.

Antithrombotic effects of odorless garlic powder both in vitro and in vivo.

Antithrombotic activities of odorless garlic powder were demonstrated in blood fibrinolytic and coagulation systems. Though the odorless garlic preparation did not influence tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) or its inhibitor secretions from human umbilical vein endothelial cells, it enhanced plasmin generation by t-PA on fibrin film and in chromogenic assays by 1.8-fold and 8.

Effect of trans-resveratrol on the thrombogenicity and atherogenicity in apolipoprotein E-deficient and low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice.

Resveratrol is one of the major polyphenolics in red wine that has been shown to exert the preventive effects against cardiovascular diseases. The effect of trans-resveratrol (t-RES) administered as an ingredient of the diet on the atherothrombotic tendency was assessed in genetically hypercholesterolemic mice after laser-induced damage on endothelium. Mice lacking both apolipoprotein E and low-density lipoprotein receptor (apoE-/-/LDLR-/-) were fed with a high-fat diet with or without t-RES (9.

Neogrifolin derivatives possessing anti-oxidative activity from the mushroom Albatrellus ovinus.

Three neogrifolin derivatives, 3-hydroxyneogrifolin, 1-formylneogrifolin and 1-formyl-3-hydroxyneogrifolin along with grifolin and neogrifolin were isolated from the Japanese mushroom Albatrellus ovinus belonging to Scutigeraceae. Their structures were established by a combination of two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic analyses and by chemical synthesis. 3-Hydroxyneogrifolin and 1-formyl-3-hydroxy-neogrifolin showed more potent antioxidative activity properties than either alpha-tocopherol or BHA.