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We have investigated various health benefits and impact on intestinal flora by ingested sour-bread baked with plant-derived lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in our previous animal studies. Among these results, it is of great interest that two of the plant- derived lactic acid bacteria, both Pediococcus pentosaceus LP28 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (formerly Lactobacillus paracasei) IJH-SONE68 with their exopolysaccharide have been shown to prevent picryl chloride-induced allergic inflammation and be effective high-fat diet-induced obesity. Our result suggests unique benefits of plant-derived LAB through not only functional molecules produced by them but also variability of intestinal microflora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing world population requires a sufficient production of crops and animals for food use, and the production needs to be environmentally and socially sustainable. Meat analogues made from plant, fungal, and insect proteins are expected to serve as a substitute for animal meats. Plant-derived proteins (plant proteins), which are attracting great attention, are focused on in this review as meat and dairy substitutes, since plant proteins may help mankind as a substitute for animal proteins to achieve a secure supply of proteins worldwide while also responding to the demand for plant-derived products by vegetarians and vegans. Aspects discussed in this review also include the role of soybeans as one of the key plant protein sources; its recent production in the world has been increasing due to the extended harvest area of genetically modified soybean varieties. Plant proteins can be processed by extrusion to give meat-like textures. In addition, plant proteins from soybean, wheat, and other plants have traditionally been utilized via fermentation in Japan and other Asian countries. It is expected that the fermentation methods used for those traditional plant protein foods as well as other processing technologies could be applied to produce novel foods based on plant proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne pollens collected in a pollen collector (Virtual Impactor) was treated with a fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled monoclonal antibody (KW-S10) which was strictly specific to Japanese cedar pollen antigen (Cry j I). Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the intensity of fluorescence of the pollen samples treated with the antibody was greater than that of non-treated reference pollen or the antibody treated Hinoki-cypress pollen. By use of this method, it may be possible to display the airborne pollen concentration within 20 min after sampling.

We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using two anti-Cry j I monoclonal antibodies (KW-S10 and KW-S131) for the quantitation of the major allergen from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria Japonica) pollen, Cry j I. Polystyrene microplates coated with KW-S131 were incubated with pollen allergen extracts. Cry j I, which bound to the antibody, was detected with alkaline phosphatase-conjugated KW-S10 using chromogenic enzyme substrate. Cry j I could be measured in concentration of between 0.16 and 2.5 ng/ml by this assay. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 1.1-3.5% and 0.9-4.6%, respectively. This assay was considered that it was specific for Cry j I of Japanese cedar pollen because it didn't react with allergens of hinoki (Chamaecypairs obtusa) pollen which have antigenicity in common to Japanese cedar pollen. This assay would be useful for the standardization of Japanese cedar pollen allergen extracts.

Japanese white rabbits were immunized with either alternaria or ragweed starting at birth to induce experimental asthmatic model. We studied the characteristics of contractile responses of tracheal smooth muscle isolated from these sensitized animals and compared them with non-sensitized control animals. Both sensitivity and reactivity of contraction induced by acetylcholine (ACh) were increased in the alternaria sensitized group, but only sensitivity was increased in the ragweed group. Contractile responses to electrical field stimulation were enhanced in both sensitized groups, and responses in the alternaria group were significantly greater than those in the ragweed group. In the alternaria group, atropine suppressed the contractile response to KCl, indicating that the contraction was mediated partially through a muscarinic mechanism. In the ragweed group, atropine suppressed responses to 20 mM KCl. Stimulation of the intramural nerve plexus facilitated the release of neurotransmitters, especially ACh. This was more obvious in the alternaria group than in the ragweed group. These results suggest that alternaria sensitization of rabbits produces a better model for studying changes in interaction between nerves and smooth muscle in the airway.