The effects of free amino acids,nucleic compounds,and volatile constituents of funazushi (fermented sushi of crucian carp (Cyprinus auratus)) on preference

BACKGROUND: Funazushi is a fermented sushi containing n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, the functionality of lactic acid fermentation foods has come to be expected. Funazushi is therefore worthy of study. Funazushi has a specific flavor which is either strongly liked or strongly disliked. We examined the components of funazushi and investigated their relation to preference. RESULTS: Many free amino acids with sweetness and/or umami were present in funazushi, but nucleic compounds were scarce as taste elements. Twelve kinds of volatile elements were detected in all samples, which were thought to form the basis of the flavor of funazushi, although a total of 30 or more kinds of volatile elements were detected from each sample. The smell greatly influenced the overall evaluation. Panelists who had not eaten funazushi before, or only rarely, showed a tendency to prefer the same sample, from which ketones, aldehydes, or acids did not volatilize so much. On the other hand, individual variation was large among panels who commonly ate funazushi. CONCLUSION: The smell and sourness of funazushi greatly influenced preference, especially in persons who had little experience of eating funazushi. Funazushi containing low ketone, aldehyde, or acid levels is suitable for the first eating experience. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Radiocarbon dating of charred human bone remains preserved in urns excavated from medieval Buddhist cemetery in Japan

For a preliminary test of ¹⁴C dating of cremated human remains, we have collected charred bone and wood–charcoal fragments from cremated remains contained in cinerary urns that had been excavated from medieval Buddhist cemetery at the Hoenji temple in Aichi prefecture, central Japan. More than 230 urn vessels were discovered from the excavated area of ca. 14 m wide and 14 m long. The identification of charred bone or charcoal fragments among the remains was performed by observation of surface appearance, inspection of fine structures by a microscope, bubble formation during the HCl treatments in preparing target material for AMS ¹⁴C dating, carbon and nitrogen contents, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of the fragments. All ¹⁴C ages obtained for the samples that were identified as charred bone remains were almost consistent with the archeological age estimated based on typological analysis of respective urns. On the other hand, some ¹⁴C ages for the remains identified as wood charcoal, which had been produced from firewood or a wooden coffin during the cremation, were not consistent with archeological estimation, shifting toward older ¹⁴C ages, most probably as the result of old wood effect.     

Analysis of the Catalytic Mechanism of Bifunctional Triterpene/Sesquarterpene Cyclase: Tyr167 Functions To Terminate Cyclization of Squalene at the Bicyclic Step

Onoceroids are a group of triterpenes biosynthesized from squalene or dioxidosqualene by cyclization from both termini. We previously identified a bifunctional triterpene/sesquarterpene cyclase (TC) that constructs a tetracyclic scaffold from tetraprenyl‐β‐curcumene (C₃₅) but a bicyclic scaffold from squalene (C₃₀) in the first reaction. TC also accepts the bicyclic intermediate as a substrate and generates tetracyclic and pentacyclic onoceroids in the second reaction. In this study, we analyzed the catalytic mechanism of an onoceroid synthase by using mutated enzymes. TC^Y167A produced an unnatural tricyclic triterpenol, but TC^Y167L, TC^Y167F, and TC^Y167W formed small quantities of tricyclic compounds, which suggested that the bulk size at Y167 contributed to termination of the cyclization of squalene at the bicyclic step. Our findings provide insight into the unique catalytic mechanism of TC, which triggers different cyclization modes depending on the substrate. These findings may facilitate the large‐scale production of an onoceroid for which natural sources are limited.     

Efficient intraliposomal entrapment of hydrophilic platinum oligonuclear complexes

A simple method for intraliposomal entrapment of platinum complexes is presented, where hydrophilic platinum oligonuclear complexes, 1-methyluracil green (MeUG), uridine green (UdG) and uridine blue (UdB), are included inside liposomes and allowed to react with bilayer lipids. The liposomes prepared in this method exhibit higher entrapment efficiency and higher distribution to organs (liver, kidney, spleen, lung) and blood (but not B16 cancer cells) than those prepared from mononuclear Pt complexes [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, cis-diammine-1,1′-dicarboxylatocyclobutaneplatinum, and cis-dichloro-cis-dihydroxy-trans-bis(isopropylamine)platinum)].     

A systematized theory of creative concept generation in design: first-order and high-order concept generation

This paper aims to develop a systematized theory on the thinking process at the ‘very early stage of design.’ Here, ‘very’ is used to exaggerate the beginning of design, which includes the time just prior to or the precise beginning of the so-called conceptual design. First, concept generation is segregated into two phases—the problem-driven phase and the inner sense-driven phase. With regard to theoretical approach, the concept generation process is discussed by comparing metaphor, abduction, and general design theory from the perspective of similarities and dissimilarities. In addition, property mapping, concept blending, and concept integration in thematic relation are explained methodologically. So far, these theories and methods have been discussed independently, and the relations among them have not been clarified. As a result, it was found that the concept generation process could be categorized into two types: first-order concept generation and high-order concept generation. Furthermore, it was shown that high-order concept generation is related to the inner sense-driven phase, whereas first-order concept generation is related to the problem-driven phase.     

Discovery of Protein Disulfide Isomerase P5 Inhibitors that Reduce the Secretion of MICA from Cancer Cells

In order to regulate the activity of P5, which is a member of the protein disulfide isomerase family, we screened a chemical compound library for P5‐specific inhibitors, and identified two candidate compounds (anacardic acid and NSC74859). Interestingly, anacardic acid inhibited the reductase activity of P5, but did not inhibit the activity of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), thiol‐disulfide oxidoreductase ERp57, or thioredoxin. NSC74859 inhibited all these enzymes. When we examined the effects of these compounds on the secretion of soluble major histocompatibility complex class‐I‐related gene A (MICA) from cancer cells, anacardic acid was found to decrease secretion. In addition, anacardic acid was found to reduce the concentration of glutathione up‐regulated by the anticancer drug 17‐demethoxygeldanamycin in cancer cells. These results suggest that anacardic acid can both inhibit P5 reductase activity and decrease the secretion of soluble MICA from cancer cells. It might be a novel and potent anticancer treatment by targeting P5 on the surface of cancer cells.     

Synthesis and properties of superabsorbent hydrogels based on guar gum and succinic anhydride

Synthesis of novel superabsorbent hydrogels has been investigated with the reaction of guar gum and succinic anhydride (SA), using of 4‐dimethylaminopyridine as esterification promoter and water or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as reaction solvent, followed by NaOH neutralization. Hydrogels prepared in water exhibited somewhat higher water absorbency than those prepared in DMSO; its maximum water absorbency in pure water and aqueous 0.9% NaCl solution was ca. 200 g/g and 80 g/g, respectively. These values were considerably higher than those of hydrogels obtained from starch in a similar way. The products in this study biologically degraded up to 70–80% after 10 days in activated sludge, which shows their excellent biodegradability. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Evaluation of Ti-Cr-Cu alloys for dental applications

This study examined the characteristics of as-cast Ti-Cr(7–19%)-Cu(3–7%) (all percentages in this article are mass%) alloys to evaluate their suitability for dental applications; studies on the alloy structures and mechanical properties, grindability, and corrosion behavior were included in the investigation. The alloys were centrifugally cast and bench-cooled in investment molds. The x-ray diffractometry of the as-cast alloys bench-cooled in the molds indicated the following phases: α+β+ω in the 7% Cr and 7% Cr+3% Cu; β+ω in the 13%Cr; and β in the 13%Cr+3% Cu through the 19%Cr+3% Cu alloys. The strengths of the binary β Ti-Cr and ternary β Ti-Cr-Cu alloys with 13 and 19% Cr were approximately two times higher than those of CP Ti. The alloy ductility was dependent on the chemical composition and thus, the microstructure. The 7% Cr alloys were extremely brittle and hard due to the ω phase, but the ductility was restored in the 13 and 19% Cr alloys. The hardness (HV) of the cast 13 and 19% Cr alloys was approximately 300–350 compared with a value of 200 for CP Ti. The grindability of the cast alloys was examined using a rotating SiC wheel at speeds (circumferential) of 500 and 1250 m/min. At the higher speed, the grindability of the 13 and 19% Cr alloys increased with the Cu content. The grindability of the 13% Cr alloy with 7% Cu was similar to that of CP Ti. Evaluation of the corrosion behavior in an artificial saliva revealed that the alloys are like many other titanium alloys within the normal intraoral oxidation potential. The wear resistance testing of these alloys also showed favorable results. This paper was presented at the Beta Titanium Alloys of the 00’s Symposium by the Titanium Committee of TMS, held during the 2005 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition, February 13–16, 2005 in San Francisco, CA.     

Fatty Acid Composition of Plasma,Erythrocytes and Adipose: Their Correlations and Effects of Age and Sex

The composition of fatty acids in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and the correlation of fatty acid values of plasma and erythrocytes had not been reported in Japan. The aim of the present study was to investigate the fatty acid composition and correlation of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids (PL) and adipose triacylglycerols (TG) in 75 adult patients admitted for non-malignant diseases. We also examined the relationship of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) with patients’ characteristics. The total n-3 PUFA were 11.2, 11.8 and 1.9%, and the ratios of n-6/n-3 were 2.41, 1.87 and 8.20 in plasma and erythrocyte PL and adipose TG, respectively. There were the highest correlations for total n-3 PUFA and the n-6/n-3 ratio between plasma and erythrocyte PL and adipose TG. There was a positive correlation between n-3 PUFAs and age, but a negative correlation was found between n-6 PUFAs and age. There was no significant difference in the values of PUFAs in plasma and erythrocyte PL and adipose TG between men and women. The patients with cholesterol cholecystolithiasis showed a significantly lower proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid in plasma and erythrocyte PL than those of the other patients. Our findings suggest that PUFA in plasma and erythrocyte PL may be good biomarkers and more acceptable for studying participants than adipose TG.