Pediococcus pentosaceus NB-17 for probiotic use

The plant-derived Pediococcus pentosaceus NB-17 was isolated from Japanese traditional vegetable pickles. The production of cytokines from mouse spleen cells co-cultivated with heat-killed bacteria was investigated in vitro. The bacteria significantly induced secretion levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-12 p70, and suppressed IL-4 productions in ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized mouse spleen cells. Therefore, the bacteria could effectively stimulate immune activities and showed allergic inhibitory effects. Further study on acid tolerance was performed under simulated gastric conditions and NB-17 showed resistance to simulated gastric acidity at pH 3.0 and pH 2.5. Moreover, after oral administration of the intact cells to rats, bacterial colonies derived from feces were analyzed by random amplification polymorphic DNA (RAPD). It was confirmed that the administered strain NB-17 remained alive in feces. These results suggest the possibility to use the P. pentosaceus NB-17 as functional foods.     

Forced convective heat transfer in uniformly heated horizontal tubes (2nd report, theoretical study)

Effects of buoyancy force on forced laminar convective heat transfer in a uniformly heated horizontal tube may not be neglected at large Re Ra. This 2nd report deals with a theoretical investigation of this problem on a fully developed laminar flow and compares the results with experimental results reported in the 1st report.

In order to back up assumptions made in the following analysis, patterns of secondary flow due to buoyancy are observed in flow visualization experiments. An approximate solution for very large Re Ra is obtained. Nusselt numbers are shown as a function of Re Ra and Pr and are shown to be in fairly good agreement with experimental results on air. Resistance coefficients are also obtained as a function of Re Ra and Pr.     

Concept and Construction Example of an Interactive Movie System

Interactive movies are proposed as a new type of media produced by combining new trends found in movies, communications, and games. With interactive movies, we are able to build cyberspaces rich to the feeling of presence by applying computer graphics and 3D observation, and to get the feeling of complete immersion in these spaces, as if we were actually in them. In addition, it is possible to experience stories through interaction with other characters in the spaces. We first explain the concept of interactive movies and describe a first prototype system that we have developed. We then describe the construction of a second system, which we are currently developing, as well as several improvements in the system.     

Crosslinking structure of keratin. VI. Number,type, and location of disulfide crosslinkages in low-sulfur protein of wool fiber and their relation to permanent set

Crosslinked structures of the permanent set wool fiber treated with boiling water at a 40% extension state and the control fiber were studied by analyzing the rubberlike force-extension curve of the swollen fiber in a mixed solution composed of equal volumes of 8M LiBr and butyl carbitol. The thiol and disulfide contents of set fibers were also determined. It was found that (1) the disulfide (SS) bonds in low-sulfur (LS) microfibril protein transform into new crosslinkages in boiling water, but the SS bonds in high-sulfur matrix protein remain intact, (2) the SS bonds in α-helical segments becomes reactive only at the extension state of fiber and produces a free thiol group, and (3) intramolecular SS bonds may exist in the α-helical segments. Discussion was also made about the closeness of the number of crosslinkage sites of SS bonds obtained from the present rubber elasticity theory and from the theoretical analysis of the amino acid sequence of the intermediate filament. The cross-linking structure model in LS protein was proposed. It was suggested further that the setting mechanism for new crosslinkage theory seems to be unsatisfactory, since the new crosslinkages do not contribute to stabilize the extended conformation of the wool chain. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The Relationship Between the Rigidity of the Liposomal Membrane and the Absorption of Insulin After Nasal Administration of Liposomes Modified with an Enhancer Containing Insulin in Rabbits

The relationship between the rigidity of the liposomal membrane and the absorption of insulin after nasal administration of liposomes modified with an enhancer containing insulin was investigated for the nasal delivery of peptide drugs in rabbits. The rigid liposomal membrane makes liposomes stable, protecting insulin from enzymatic degradation. Soybean-derived sterol (SS) or its sterylglucoside (SG) was used as an enhancer. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes modified with SG had increased fluidity of the hydrophobic group of the liposome bilayer compared with the liposomes modified with cholesterol (Ch) or SS, as shown by measurements of the steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5,-hexatriene (DPH); however, the fluidity of the polar group of the liposome bilayer was decreased according to measurements of steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of dansylhexadecylamine (DSHA) at 37°C. These findings suggest that the fluidity of the hydrophobic group of the liposome bilayer is responsible for the increase of liposomal leakage and instability of the liposomes. When insulin was administered nasally to rabbits as a solution, no hypoglycemic effect was observed. The administration of insulin contained in DPPC/SG (7/4, mole) liposomes with high fluidity caused a high glucose reduction of long duration (8 hr). DPPC/SS and DPPC/Ch (7/4) liposomes with low fluidity caused low glucose reductions. These results demonstrated that liposomes modified with SG can be useful as carriers of insulin administered nasally.     

The lethal effect of a benzamide derivative, 3-methoxybenzamide, can be suppressed by mutations within a cell division gene, ftsZ, in Bacillus subtilis

3-Methoxybenzamide (3-MBA), which is known to be an inhibitor of ADP-ribosyltransferase, inhibits cell division in Bacillus subtilis, leading to filamentation and eventually lysis of cells. Our genetic analysis of 3-MBA-resistant mutants indicated that the primary target of the drug is the cell division system involving FtsZ function during both vegetative growth and sporulation.     

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of a novel pyrazole derivative, FR140423

The pharmacological profile of a novel and newly discovered non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic compound, 3-(difluoromethyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfinyl)phenyl]pyraz ole (FR140423), was investigated. In recombinant human cyclooxygenase enzyme assays, the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 formation by FR140423 was 150 times more selective for cyclooxygenase-2 than cyclooxygenase-1. Oral administration of FR140423 dose dependently reduced carrageenin-induced paw edema and adjuvant arthritis. These effects were two- to three-fold more potent than those of indomethacin. Unlike indomethacin, FR140423 did not induce mucosal lesions in the stomach. FR140423 showed dose-dependent anti-hyperalgesic effects in the yeast-induced hyperalgesic model. This effect was five-fold more potent than that of indomethacin. Furthermore, FR140423 increased the pain threshold in non-inflamed paws and, unlike indomethacin, it produced an analgesic effect in the tail-flick test. These analgesic effects were blocked by the mu-opioid antagonist naloxone. These results suggest that FR140423, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) without gastrointestinal side effects and is a unique compound having morphine-like analgesic effects.     

Thermal-softening properties of water-swollen wood: The relaxation process due to water soluble polysaccharides

To clarify the thermal-softening properties of water-swollen wood, the viscoelastic properties of wood specimens conditioned to various moisture contents and of water solutions of amorphous cellulose, hemicellulose and milled wood lignin, have been studied in the temperature range from –150 to 0°C at frequencies ranging between 0.5 and 10 Hz. A relaxation process around –40°C was observed in wood specimen with high moisture content. It was observed in wood specimens with lower moisture content at higher temperature. The value of apparent activation energy for the relaxation process was 50 kJ/mol. On the other hand, a similar relaxation process was observed in water solutions of amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose around –40°C, but it was not observed in water or water solution of milled wood lignin. The values of apparent activation energy for the relaxation process were 230–545 kJ/mol. Therefore, we considered that the relaxation process was due to the water-swollen polysaccharides and affected by the situations of water molecules.     

Improvement of impact fatigue strength of adhesive joint by CTBN modification

Impact fatigue behaviors of the steel/CTBN-modified adhesive/steel butt joint were investigated. The adhesive butt joint specimens used in the present work were bonded with epoxy–polyamide and CTBN-modified epoxy–polyamide adhesives. Fatigue tests were also conducted under nonimpact stress conditions to compare with the results from the impact fatigue test. The experiments showed that for the joint specimen from the adhesive modified with the CTBN the fatigue strength becomes higher under both of the stress conditions. In particular, the fatigue strength was improved remarkably under impact stress condition, that is, the distinct stress cycles dependence of impact strength was decreased by modifying the adhesive with CTBN. Furthermore, the effect of adhesive thickness on the fatigue strength was also discussed for the adhesive joint modified with CTBN. Under impact stress conditions, the relation between the fatigue strength and the adhesive layer thickness is different from that under the nonimpact one.     

Effect of Sodium Caprate on the Absorption of Progesterone from Mixed Suppositories Administered to the Vagina of Rabbits

The promoting effect of sodium caprate (CAP) added to a progesterone mixed suppository was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The mixed suppository (S50), consisting of Witepsol W35 and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA40Y and EVA250); and a control suppository of Witepsol W35 (C50) were prepared by the fusion method. One or five percent of CAP was added to S50 and C50 containing 50 mg of progesterone. The release of progesterone from C50 was not influenced by the addition of CAP and there was no change in plasma level profile of progesterone after administration to the vagina of rabbits. On the other hand, S50 added with CAP showed rapid elevation of the plasma level of progesterone without any change in the sustained-release characteristics.