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The present study was carried out to design a simple, new and accurate method for identification of the morphologically similar four species (forms A and B of P. shikueii, P. mictodonta, and P. wilsoni) of the Perinereis nuntia species complex by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) patterns of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Restriction digestion analysis in the following two steps generated a specific restriction pattern for each species: (1) by the first digestion of amplified ITS fragments with AluI, we can distinguish the two forms of P. shikueii from P. mictodonta and P. wilsoni; (2) by the subsequent digestion of ITS fragments with Cfr10I, we can distinguish between the forms A and B of P. shikueii, and by that with HinfI, we can distinguish P. mictodonta from P. wilsoni. Our result indicates that this method enable easy and accurate identification of these taxa. We additionally examined the distributions of the two forms of P. shikueii in Japan, Korea and Taiwan using this new method. The form B was distributed in a wide range in western Japan and Korea, whereas the form A was distributed in few limited sites in the inner parts of the Seto Inland Sea and the Ariake Sea in Japan, the western and southern coasts of Korea, and the western coast of Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have examined the effects of n -3 fatty acid intake in supplement form or fish oil capsules, but there are few studies based on other foods. Perilla oil is a traditional Japanese seed oil rich in n -3 fatty acids. This randomised trial aimed to determine the appropriate n -3 fatty acid dose through consumption of perilla oil, which improves gut function and microbiota in trained athletes, and the amount of fat fuel required to provide energy to athletes involved in high-intensity training to improve athletic performance. Thirty-six female athletes training six times per week were randomly assigned to three groups according to perilla oil intake: 9 g/d (high oil intake (HOI)), 3 g/d (low oil intake (LOI)) and placebo-supplementation (PLA) groups. The HOI and LOI groups had perilla oil-containing jelly and the PLA group had placebo jelly for 8 weeks. Gut microbiota, constipation score and urinary biochemical index were measured pre- and post-intervention. The spoilage bacteria, Proteobacteria , significantly decreased (P = 0·036, d = 0·53), whereas Butyrate -producing bacteria, Lachnospiraceae , significantly increased (P = 0·007, d = 1·2) in the HOI group. Urinary indoxyl sulphate significantly decreased in the HOI group only (P = 0·010, d = 0·82). Changes in the constipation score were significantly lower in the HOI group (P = 0·020) and even lower in the LOI group (P = 0·073) than in the PLA group; there were significant differences between groups (P = 0·035). Therefore, perilla oil intake may improve gut function and microbiota in athletes, with higher doses resulting in further improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, sustainable societies require a reduction in general and food waste discharge, which is a major environmental problem. As food waste contains a high moisture content, anaerobic digestion is an effective way to recycle food waste that contains large amounts of moisture. While 70% of industrial food waste is recycled, only approximately 20% of household waste is recycled in Japan. In this study, we developed a microanaerobic digestion system with a capacity of 30 L and evaluated its basic performance by simulating a daily use situation. Biogas was produced, containing the same amount of methane as other systems. Although no mixing in the fermenter was done, the production efficiency of methane reached approximately at least 60% of the theoretical value of methane gas production for the chemical oxygen demand of the input food waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between physical and chemical digestion and nutrition markers (serum albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PAB), and vitamin B 12 (B 12 ) levels)., Methods: During a detailed checkup at Fujita Health University, we examined the associations of physical (occlusal force, masticatory performance, and swallowing ability (via the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool, EAT-10)) and chemical ( Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication history, HP antibody levels, and oral antacid (proton pump inhibitors) use) digestion parameters with serum ALB, PAB, and B 12 levels in 92 individuals (M:67, F:25)., Results: Forty-eight percent of the participants were older than 65 years of age, 19% had decreased occlusal force, 3.2% had decreased masticatory strength, 3.2% had decreased swallowing function, 24% had a history of HP eradication, 23% were HP antibody positive, and 16% were taking oral antacid medication. Additionally, 14% and 11% of the patients had low serum ALB and PAB levels, respectively, and 14% of the patients had B 12 deficiency. Multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and C-reactive protein levels revealed that there were no significant associations between the physical digestion parameters and the serum PAB, ALB, or B 12 levels. On the other hand, there was a significant association between oral antacid use and PAB levels (β = -3.3, p = 0.04). Independent of physical or chemical digestion parameters, serum PAB and B 12 levels were significantly associated with protein and B 12 intake, respectively., Conclusions: Oral antacid use may decrease serum PAB levels, indicating protein synthesis.

Adzuki bean is cooked with rice in Japan, and the color of rice becomes pale red by the cooking. In previous papers, we showed that pancreatin-induced starch liberation was slower in red rice prepared from non-glutinous rice. In this study, it was shown that pancreatin-induced amylose liberation from high-amylose rice was divided into two phases independent of cooking with or without adzuki bean; the first phase was amylose liberation from starch leached from rice during the cooking and the second phase was the liberation of amylose from starch in rice grains. The slower amylose liberation from rice cooked with adzuki bean was due to the binding of cyanidin-producible components derived from procyanidins to rice. The binding was confirmed by treating rice with a 1-butanol/HCl/Fe(III) system. The digestion of amylose liberated from high-amylose rice cooked with adzuki bean was also slower, and the liberated amylose could produce cyanidin by the 1-butanol/HCl/Fe(III)-treatment. Furthermore, it was shown (i) that the heating of rice flour with reagent procyanidin B2 resulted in the binding of the oxidation products to the flour, and (ii) that the binding resulted in the slower digestion of amylose in the rice flour. It was concluded that the slower liberation and digestion in high-amylose rice cooked with adzuki bean were due to the binding of cyanidin-producible components, which were derived from adzuki bean procyanidins, to amylose during the cooking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining high-carbohydrate food with polyphenol-rich food is a possible way of producing slowly digestible starch with beneficial health properties. In Japan, non-glutinous and glutinous rice are cooked with adzuki bean and the colour of the cooked rice is pale red. In this article, we show that (1) the red colour of rice could be attributed to the oxidation of adzuki bean procyanidins, (2) pancreatin-induced starch digestion of the red-coloured non-glutinous rice was slower than white rice and (3) the digestion of amylose and potato starch but not amylopectin became slower by heating with procyanidin B2. Furthermore, the rate of starch digestion of red-coloured rice was not affected by nitrite treatment under simulated gastric conditions. The above results show that procyanidins could bind to amylose independent of the starch source by heating and could suppress starch digestion by α-amylase in the intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the in situ dry matter degradability (ISDMD) and crude protein degradability (ISCPD) of high-moisture corn grain silage and dried corn grains produced in Japan (JHC and JDC, respectively) with corn grains imported from the United States (USC), Brazil (BRC), and South Africa (SAC). The ISDMD values of USC, BAC, and SAC were between those of JHC and JDC, but ISDMD did not differ significantly between USC and SAC. In contrast, ISDMD was lower for BAC than USC and SAC. Overall, our results indicate that ISDMD and ISCPD in the rumen differ between corn grains sources (domestic compared with imported and between production locations), primarily due to differences between the corn varieties represented. In particular, the ISDMD and ISCPD of JHC were greater than those of JDC, and this difference in degradability needs to be considered when using high-moisture corn grain silage as a substitute for dried corn grain as a feed for dairy cattle., (© 2024 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

Digestion time and feeding of the pelagic chaetognath Zonosagitta nagae, which occurs predominantly in warm waters around Japan, were investigated in the laboratory. Young individuals of Z. nagae ranging from 4.1-7.6 mm in body length were used for the experiments with adult females of the copepod Acartia steueri as prey. The mean digestion time of Z. nagae was 115±3 minutes at 20°C. Temporal change in individual's feeding intensity was observed every 1.5 h for 24 h to determine the diel feeding pattern, feeding interval, feeding rates and daily ration. Almost all individuals showed no clear diel rhythm within 24-h at 20°C under 12L:12D cycle; time interval between feeding was 4.5-6 h (mode) for individuals that ingested multiple copepods. The number of copepods ingested by a chaetognath ranged from 0 to 5 and on average 2.6 copepods were consumed a day per individual. Specific daily ration in most individuals corresponded to ca. 50% of its dry weight while some individuals showed the extremes of non-feeding or voracious feeding (>200% d-1), indicating that some of the young Z. nagae had an intermittent feeding mode, which would be adaptive to save energy expenditure at low prey densities and to reduce mortality by lowering the risk of predation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Masticatory function is significantly lower in individuals with malocclusion than in those with normal occlusion. Although several studies suggest that masticatory function influences gastrointestinal digestive function, the relationship between malocclusion and gastrointestinal symptoms has not been studied extensively. We hypothesised that insufficient masticatory function would increase the functional burden of the stomach and have some influence on the gastrointestinal system. The purpose of this study was to investigate masticatory function and gastric emptying rate in subjects with malocclusion. Eleven healthy dentate female volunteers and eleven female patients with maloc-clusion underwent a 13C-acetate breath test with a liquid meal. Maximum 13 CO2 exhalation time ( Tmax) was compared statistically between both groups. Masticatory function was assessed by colour-changeable chewing gum. In addition, the frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroeso-phageal reflux disease ( FSSG) and questionnaires on food intake were given to both groups. The mean Tmax of the malocclusion group was significantly longer than that of the normal occlusion group ( P = 0·007). Masticatory performance, measured by colour-changeable gum and questionnaires, was significantly lower in the malocclusion group than in the normal occlusion group ( P = 0·023, P = 0·003). There was no significant difference in the FSSG results between the two groups ( P = 0·262). This study suggested that there was a correlation between malocclusion and gastric emptying function in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This long-term 48-week study of acotiamide was carried out to investigate the efficacy, safety and administration pattern in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods: This was a multicenter, open-label, single-arm, long-term phase III study in which patients with FD were given acotiamide, 100 mg t.i.d., for 48 weeks. The two major efficacy endpoints were global overall treatment efficacy (OTE) and the elimination rate of three cardinal symptoms (i.e. postprandial fullness, early satiation and upper abdominal bloating), which were evaluated weekly and daily by the patients, respectively. The long-term administration patterns were investigated by following the patients based on cessation and readministration criteria. Results: Efficacy was analyzed in 405 patients. The OTE improvement rate was 26.1% at week 1 and increased with time. It was 60.6% at week 8 and subsequently maintained. Similarly, the symptom elimination rate increased up to week 8. Many patients who met the cessation criterion achieved remission of FD symptoms after experiencing dose interruption and readministration. The incidence rate of adverse drug reactions was 11.5% and most of the adverse drug reactions were mild in severity except increased ALT in 1 patient. Conclusion: FD symptoms were controlled by intermittent administration of acotiamide even in patients with relapsing FD. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study evaluating a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism( PCR-RFLP) assay for the molecular subtyping of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). It mentions an analysis of 200 STEC strains including O157, O111 and non-O26/O111/O157 serogroups isolated during 2005-2006 in Japan, by this assay compared to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). It also notes the classification of such strains into 41 (O157), 8 (O26), 4 (O111) and 17 (non-O26/O111/O157) groups based on the RFLP patterns obtained by subsequent restriction digestion, respectively. It is found that the PCR-RFLP assay is more convenient than PFGE for molecular subtyping of STEC strains, for O157 in particular.

Abstract: Highly-branched cyclic dextrin (HBCD), a dextrin food ingredient presently only used in Japan, was investigated for digestibility and potential toxicity. HBCD was readily hydrolyzed in vitro to maltose and maltotriose by human salivary and porcine pancreatic α-amylases. Incubation of HBCD with a rat intestinal homogenate, containing digestive enzymes, resulted in the formation of maltose, maltotriose, and maltotetraose, and with longer incubation times, resulted in the formation of glucose. In an acute toxicity study, Wistar rats orally administered a single-dose of 2000mg/kg body weight of HBCD did not display mortality or any signs or symptoms of toxicity or abnormalities upon necropsy. Transient loose stools were observed, but were resolved within 24h of HBCD administration, and therefore, were not considered as compound-specific adverse effects. In the Ames assay, HBCD was non-mutagenic with or without metabolic activation. Toxicity testing of the branching enzyme (BE) involved in the synthesis of HBCD showed that the BE also was not acutely toxic when orally administered to rats and was non-mutagenic in the mouse lymphoma assay. The results of this study demonstrate that HBCD is digested to normal and safe products of carbohydrate digestion, and therefore, support the safety of HBCD for human consumption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Information about several papers discussed at the 45th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society for Mucosal Immunology held at the Mielparque-Kyoto in Japan on July 3-4, 2008 is presented. Topics include the immunity of the digestive disease and liver, pancreatic disease. The featured speakers at the symposium include Professor Takanori Kanai of Keio University and Professor Matthew B. Grisham of LSU Health Science Center.

The article focuses on the study of the effects of heat-coagulated (H-C) foods in the body in Japan. H-C foods are rich in protein and ideas for its allergic reactions upon ingestion are checked whether it has scientific basis. The research used mice as sample which consumed ovalbumin and monitor digestion as well as absorption processes of the rodent. The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay is also used to defend immunoblotting findings.

The apparent digestibility of diets based on timothy hay harvested in Hidaka in Hokkaido (HT) and Italian ryegrass hay harvested in Miyazaki in Kyushu (MI) were compared in Thoroughbreds undergoing exercise. The nitrogen retention and plasma-free amino acid (AA) concentrations were also examined to evaluate the quality of the protein contained in the two types of hay. Four male Thoroughbreds (aged 34.4 ± 0.9 months (mean ± standard deviation) and weighing 506.3 ± 30.4 kg) undergoing exercise training at 80% of maximal heart rate were used for the study, and the apparent digestibility of the diets based on HT and MI was assessed. The net nitrogen balance was also measured by subtracting the amount of nitrogen excreted in the feces and urine from the total nitrogen intake. The apparent digestibilities of dry matter, energy, neutral detergent fiber and ether extract were all higher in the MI group than in the HT group ( P < 0.05). The larger energy digestibility in the MI group (56.8 ± 3.3%) compared with that in the HT group (51.6 ± 2.4%) was attributed to the relatively easy digestibility of hemicellulose. The net nitrogen balance and plasma AA concentrations did not differ significantly between the two forage groups. We concluded that the nutritive value of MI is adequate for exercising horses, even though the timothy and Italian ryegrass used in this study were second cuttings, and their nutrient values were not easily comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ingestion of shrimps and fish in the Japanese pygmy squid Idiosepius paradoxus was examined. Idiosepius paradoxus paralysed shrimps within 1 min of seizure, extended the buccal mass into the exoskeleton of the shrimp without any biting action, and ingested the flesh. During ingestion of the shrimp flesh, the squids moved their beaks inside the buccal mass, but did not bite into the internal flesh. Idiosepius paradoxus appears to use external digestion by injecting digestive enzymes into the flesh and sucking up semi‐digested flesh. The exoskeleton of the shrimp was never chipped or eaten, and the discarded remains of the shrimp contained virtually no flesh, resembling a moult with completely empty appendages. Idiosepius paradoxus was unable to paralyse captured fish. In the case of large fish, the squids left them or only partly ingested them. In the case of small fish, I. paradoxus held them within the arm crown after seizure. From a close inspection of discarded remains after feeding, it appeared that the bones of fish were not destroyed, but only the muscle had disappeared. When I. paradoxus fed on small fish, the discarded remains were intact body skeletons. The outer lip of I. paradoxus possesses a unique organ, the ‘lip gland’ that consists of goblet glandular cells. It seems likely that this organ produces a mucous secretion and appears to assist in external digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 32 wild Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) were shot (13 in summer, nine in autumn and 10 in winter) in the Syari district, Shiretoko Peninsula of Hokkaido Island, Japan.The ingested foods, rumen fermentation parameters and microbes were determined to evaluate digestive strategy and food availability in each season. Ingested foods and ruminal characteristics greatly varied by season. Rumen digesta mainly comprised of graminoids in summer, graminoids and agricultural products in autumn, and bark and twigs in winter. Rumen pH showed seasonal differences (P < 0.05) and was lowest in summer, highest in winter, and intermediate in autumn, reflecting the seasonal differences in ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids which were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in winter than in summer and autumn. Acetate proportions were significantly higher in winter than in other seasons (P < 0.05), while the opposite trend was seen in proportions of propionate and butyrate. Rumen ammonia levels showed significant seasonal differences (P < 0.05), decreasing from summer to autumn to winter. Rumen protozoa levels in autumn and winter decreased to 28 and 10% of the levels observed in summer, respectively (P < 0.05 for both). The rumen bacteria level in winter was lower (P < 0.05) than that in autumn, but no difference was seen for the other seasonal comparisons. Gram negative cocci were present in significantly higher proportions in winter than in other seasons (P < 0.05), while Gram negative curved rods were less frequently observed in winter (P < 0.05). Based on these results, wild sika deer in this area are shown to survive with rumen microbial populations altered with the dietary conditions that vary greatly by season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although tooth loss causes a decrease in masticatory ability, which may influence nutritional status, and impair an individual's general health including physical activity, little is known whether a decrease in chewing ability could result in deterioration in physical fitness in a very elderly population. Thus, the present study evaluated the relationship of chewing ability or teeth number with measures of physical fitness in a sample of 80-years-old in Japan. Cross-sectional survey. A total of 1282 people who were 80-years old and resided in the Fukuoka Prefecture were approached. A total of 697 individuals (277 male, 420 female) agreed to participate. Chewing food number and teeth number were related positively with physical fitness measurements of hand grip strength, leg extensor strength, leg extensor power, stepping rate, and one-leg standing time. However, the significant relationship between the number of teeth and physical ability disappeared after adjustment for various confounders, using multiple regression analysis or logistic regression analysis. On the other hand, the relationship of chewing ability with physical fitness measurements of leg extensor strength, one-leg standing time, or isokinetic leg extensor power remained significant even after adjustment for these confounders. There is a relationship between perceived chewing ability (number of foods considered chewable) and physical fitness in this 80-year-old population. Chewing ability may be an independent predictor of physical fitness, thus preventative dental care aimed at preserving chewing ability may be able to enhance activities of daily life and quality of life in very elderly individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate pediatric foreign body cases in the aerodigestive tract, and to elucidate the characteristic problems in Japan.Methods: A total of 310 pediatric patients (age 15 or below), gathered from two medical university hospitals (University of Tokyo and Jichi Medical School), were included in this study. Data were collected by retrospective chart review and were statistically analyzed.Results: Two-year-olds were the most common patients, and the range from age 1 to age 4 included 67.7% of all the patients. The most involved sites were the nose (39.4%) and the pharynx (38.4%), followed by the esophagus (12.9%) and the trachea-bronchi (6.5%). Fish bones and toys were the representative foreign bodies (30.7 and 13.6%, respectively). Other foreign bodies often encountered included coins, food, candy, peanuts and nuts, and batteries. The type of foreign body was closely related to the site in which foreign bodies were lodged: 77.3% of foreign bodies in the pharynx were fish bones, and toys were the most common impacted foreign body in the nose. In the esophagus, representative impacted foreign bodies were coins (35.7%), but disk-type battery ingestion has been increasing in recent years. Although most foreign bodies in the esophagus were safely removed, one case of a disk-type battery had a serious sequela. In the trachea-bronchi, peanuts, food, cotton, and coins were impacted. A rigid bronchoscope was basically used to remove foreign bodies, but in some cases, a fine flexible endoscope, with a channel for fiber forceps, was useful, because it could be inserted into narrow bronchi. Advance of a flexible endoscope will make it an excellent tool for diagnosis and management of the trachea-bronchial foreign body.Conclusions: Fish bones in the pharynx, which were closely related to Japanese eating habits, and toys in the nose, were the typical foreign bodies encountered in this study. In the esophagus, an increased incidence of disk-type battery ingestion has become a serious problem in recent years. Since prevention is the most essential way to manage foreign body cases, feedback from studies to public education should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sewage sludge recycling strategy in Japan is shifting to a phase focusing on energy utilization. At present, the treatment of dewatered sludge depends on high-temperature incineration at 850 °C, and it is necessary to switch to energy conversion technologies to recover energy. Sewage treatment plants equipped with digestion tanks can recover energy by decomposing some of the volatile solids in the sludge, but decreasing the volatile solid content of the dewatered sludge in the solid matter also decreases the efficiency of the dewatered sludge conversion process. Therefore, in this study, we developed a tool for evaluating sewage sludge energy conversion systems based on a precise heat balance analysis. We also focused on how the presence or absence of digestion affects each energy conversion technology. The targeted sewage sludge energy conversion technologies were three incineration systems that included waste heat power generation (power generation from low-pressure steam and high-temperature water, power generation from high-pressure steam, and power generation from low-pressure steam and sludge drying) and two solid fuel conversion systems (dry granulation and low-temperature carbonization). The evaluation indices were energy balance, greenhouse gas emissions, and total project cost. The results showed that 1) not using digestion is a superior option in the incineration with waste heat power generation systems, and 2) using digestion is superior in the solid fuel conversion systems. • We studied five sewage sludge energy conversion technologies. • We established energy balance analysis models for each energy conversion technology. • Energy balance, GHG emissions, and project cost were used as evaluation indicators. • Not incorporating digestion is superior in some incineration systems. • Incorporating digestion is superior in the solid fuel conversion systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that tea and coffee consumption have a protective effect against development of digestive tract cancers.Methods: A comparative case-referent study was conducted using Hospital-based Epidemiologic Research Program at Aichi Cancer Center (HERPACC) data from 1990 to 1995 in Nagoya, Japan. This study comprised 1,706 histologically diagnosed cases of digestive tract cancers (185 esophagus, 893 stomach, 362 colon, 266 rectum) and a total of 21,128 non-cancer outpatients aged 40 years and over. Logistic regression was used to analyze the data, adjusting for gender; age; year and season at hospital-visit; habitual smoking and alcohol drinking; regular physical exercise; fruit, rice, and beef intake; and beverage intake.Results: The odds ratio (OR) of stomach cancer decreased to 0.69 (95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 0.48-1.00) with high intake of green tea (seven cups or more per day). A decreased risk was also observed for rectal cancer with three cups or more daily intake of coffee (OR = 0.46, CI = 0.26-0.81).Conclusions: The results suggest the potential for protective effect against site-specific digestive tract cancer by consumption of green tea and coffee, although most associations are limited only to the upper category of intake and have no clear explanation for site-specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One male and three female captive proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) were used as test animals to compare fecal nutrients after being fed seasonal foliage. Foliage and fecal samples were collected during three seasons (spring, summer, and winter). We analyzed crude ash (CA), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL). In addition to the above components, for the fecal samples, we examined total fecal nitrogen (TFN), nitrogen in fecal NDF (NDF-N), metabolic fecal nitrogen (MFN), and particle size distribution (MPS). Seasonal differences in foliage components were observed, with NDF and ADF being lowest in spring (p < 0.05). Fecal NDF and ADF also tended to be lowest in spring. Further, the distribution of fecal particle size indicated that MPS tended to increase in winter. The mean fecal NDF content (47.4%) for all three seasons measured in this study was as much as 1.3 times lower than previously reported values in free-ranging specimens. These data provide useful information that can be used to find some suitable food items for the endangered highly folivorous monkeys in captivity., (© 2021 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

Interspecific New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties have been recently developed and used in Sub-Saharan Africa but herbivore resistance properties of these plants remain poorly understood. Here we report that, compared to a local Japanese cultivar Nipponbare, NERICA 1, 4 and 10 are significantly more damaged by insect herbivores in the paddy fields. In contrast to high levels of leaf damage from rice skippers and grasshoppers, constitutive and induced volatile organic compounds for indirect plant defense were higher or similar in NERICAs and Nipponbare. Accumulation of direct defense secondary metabolites, momilactones A and B, and p-coumaroylputrescine (CoP) was reduced in NERICAs, while feruloylputrescine accumulated at similar levels in all varieties. Finally, we found that Nipponbare leaves were covered with sharp nonglandular trichomes impregnated with silicon but comparable defense structures were virtually absent in herbivory-prone NERICA plants. As damage to the larval gut membranes by Nipponbare silicified trichomes that pass intact through the insect digestive system, occurs, and larval performance is enhanced by trichome removal from otherwise chemically defended Nipponbare plants, we propose that silicified trichomes work as an important defense mechanism of rice against chewing insect herbivores., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Adzuki bean is often cooked with non-glutinous rice in Japan, and the dish is called adzuki-meshi. By the cooking, flavonoids in adzuki bean are transferred to rice, and the color of the rice becomes pale red. However, it has not been reported on starch digestion of the rice of adzuki-meshi. The purpose of this study is to elucidate that the transferred flavonoids, especially procyanidins could slow down the digestion of rice starch. The principal results obtained are (1) that pancreatin-induced starch digestion, which was observed as the liberation of reducing sugars and starch fragments from the rice, was slower in the pale red rice of adzuki-meshi than the rice cooked without adzuki bean, (2) that the starch fragments liberated from the rice of adzuki-meshi were digested slowly, and (3) that procyanidins and the oxidation products, which were not extracted by methanol, were present in the pale red rice. From the results, it was concluded that adzuki bean procyanidins and the oxidation products, which bound to rice starch during cooking, could contribute to slow down the starch digestion., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Nitrogen (N) digestion and urea-N metabolism in Hokkaido native horses fed roughage-based diets containing different types and levels of protein sources were studied. Horses (173 ± 4.8 kg) fitted with an ileum cannula were fed four diets consisting of 100% timothy hay (TH), 88% TH and 12% soybean meal (SBM), 79% TH and 21% SBM, and 51% TH and 49% alfalfa hay at 2.2% of body weight. Dietary protein content varied from 5% to 15% of dry matter. Apparent N digestibilities in the pre-cecum and total tract for the TH diet were lower than those for other diets. However, the proportion of post-ileum N digestion to N intake was not affected by the diets. Urea-N production was linearly related to N intake, but gut urea-N entry was not affected by the diets. The proportion of gut urea-N entry to urea-N production tended to be higher for the TH diet (57%) than the two SBM diets (39%). Anabolic use of urea-N entering the gut was not affected by the diets (20-36% of gut urea-N entry). These results indicate that urea-N recycling provides additional N sources for microbial fermentation in the hindgut of Hokkaido native horses fed low-quality roughages., (© 2014 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

Viewed from a global perspective, Japan is often considered a country where the progression towards a low birthrate and longevity has been prominent. In 2007, the ratio of the aged population reached 21.5%, propelling Japan into the classification of a super aging society. The long-term care insurance system in Japan was initiated in the year 2000, as a general long-term care service system for the whole society, covering the nutrition, medical care, and welfare fields. The goal of nutrition in an aged society is the extension of healthy life expectancy. The ratio of elderly citizens with malnutrition is high. Due to the loss of teeth, and a decrease in digestive and physical functions, there is often a decrease in appetite, and the inability to obtain enough nutrition for physical homeostasis is related to such conditions as frailty and the partial loss of physical functions due to sarcopenia, as well as a decrease in the quality of life (QOL). The elderly can easily fall into a state of protein and energy malnutrition (PEM), due to a variety of causes. Accordingly, it is important to adopt an appropriate approach that ensures a correct understanding of the causes of malnutrition and the special characteristics of malnutrition in the elderly.

Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is one of the most common groundwater contaminants in Japan. PCE can be completely dechlorinated to ethylene (ETY) and ethane (ETA) by anaerobic microorganisms in the presence of asuitable electron donor. This study was conducted to examine the feasibility of using an anaerobic filter for the degradation of PCE in abioremediation process. Laboratory-scale anaerobic filters were operated at 25 deg. C using ethanol as the electron donor. Rapid start-upof the reactors was achieved by using anaerobic completely PCE-dechlorinating enrichment cultures as the inoculum. During the continuous operating periods, low concentrations (2.8 mg/L) of PCE were almost completely dechlorinated to ETY and ETA at hydraulic retention times of 49-15 hours with 100 mgCOD/L of ethanol. PCE concentrations as highas 80 mg/L was dechlorinated to ETY with a relatively low supply (200 mgCOD/L) of ethanol. Results of this study suggest that the anaerobic filter system is a feasible bioremediation process for the cleanupof groundwater which is contaminated by chlorinated ethylenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims: We compared functional outcomes between different types of reconstruction following open or laparoscopic 1/2- or 2/3-proximal gastrectomy for gastric cancer., Methodology: Resection and reconstruction were performed by one of the following 6 methods, depending on the depth of cancer invasion and the date of the procedure relative to introduction of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy: open proximal 2/3-gastrectomy with jejunal interposition (2/3 PG-int, n=7), open proximal 1/2-gastrectomy with jejunal interposition (1/2 PG-int, n=5), laparoscopic proximal 1/2-gastrectomy followed by double tract reconstructions with small (3 cm) jejunogastrostomy (L1/2 PG-DT(S), n=19) and laparoscopic proximal 1/2-gastrectomy followed by double tract reconstructions with large (6 cm) jejunogastrostomy (L1/2PG-DT(L), n=10). Open total gastrectomy with jejunal interposition (TG, n=12) and laparoscopic total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (LTG, n=14) represented control procedures., Results: Comparison of postoperative/preoperative body weight ratios and food intake ratios revealed better preservation among patients with a larger remnant stomach and with easy flow of food into the remnant stomach (the 1/2PG-int and L1/2PG-DT(L) groups)., Conclusions: Better functional outcomes were observed in patients with a large remnant stomach and with easy flow of food into the remnant stomach regardless of whether they underwent open or laparoscopic procedures.

It has been found that alpha-D-glucosylglycerol (GG) is contained in such traditional Japanese foods brewed by using koji as sake, miso and mirin, and that GG is formed by transglucosylation to glycerol that is produced by yeast with alpha-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) from koji in the sake mash. GG has also been found to consist of three components, 2-O-alpha-D-glucosylglycerol (GG-II), (2R)-1-O-alpha-D-glucosylglycerol (R-GG-I) and (2S)-1-O-alpha-D-glucosylglycerol (S-GG-I). GG was synthesized from a mixture of maltose and glycerol by the batch method, using alpha-glucosidase (transglucosidase L-AMANO). alpha-Glucosidase seemed to be so stable that the amount of GG increased about 5-fold compared with that in the first reaction by the daily addition of maltose for 10 d. Syrupy GG obtained was found to have the following characteristics: about 0.55-fold sweetness compared with sucrose, high thermo-stability, low heat-colorability, low Maillard reactivity, low hygroscopicity, high water-holding capacity, non-cariogenicity and low digestibility.

This article reviews the evolution of functional testing of the pancreas in Japan for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis (CP), contrasting the pre- with the postsecretin test (S test) era. In the pre-S test era, the diagnosis was based on symptoms, clinical findings, fasting serum diastase levels, and the vagostigmin- and ether-stimulation test unless morphologic evidence was available. The S test and CCK-pancreozymin (PZ) test (PS test) were introduced into Japan around 1963 and have been used as the gold standard of the exocrine pancreatic-function test. Through a series of attempts at standardization in 1971, 1985, and 1987, the method was standardized to collect duodenal juice for 60 min through a double- or triple-lumen tube after a bolus or during a continuous i.v. injection of secretin (100 U). The S test, however, is an invasive and cumbersome procedure. As a result, N-benzoyl-L-tyrosal-p-aminobenzoic acid (BT-PABA) testing and fecal chymotrypsin testing were introduced into Japan in the middle and late 1970s, respectively. Although simple and noninvasive, these two methods were found have lower sensitivity and specificity than the conventional S test. These two methods, therefore, are presently used more often for monitoring the course of disease and therapeutic effects. Additionally, the glucose tolerance test can be performed to detect endocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

The digestibilities of nutrients and energy in Wakame were measured in healthy adult males. A test diet was given for 5 days after 5 days on a basal diet which supplied 40 g/day of protein and 45 kcal/kg/day of energy. The test diet was identical with the basal diet except that Wakame was incorporated. Digestibility was calculated by the difference of fecal output between the test period and the basal period. However the digestibility of its nutrient component was found to be different at each intake level. Therefore the present study simply lists the calculated figures. The results obtained were follows: 1) Composition of Wakame was protein: 20.5%, fat: 1.7%,. Total carbohydrate: 45.1%, gross energy content: 322 kcal/100g. 2) Digestibility of protein was 70.1 +/- 14.0%. 3) Digestibility of fat was 97.5 +/- 59.0%. 4) Digestibility of carbohydrate was 55.8 +/- 14.6%. 5) The ratio of the total available energy to intake energy (Net Energy Availability) was 62.4 +/- 19.4%. Wakame contains proteins and available carbohydrates, and may be consumed as a protein source as well as a good source of vitamins and minerals.

Obligatory urinary and fecal N losses in young Japanese women were evaluated and the effect of energy intake on the utilization of rice and egg mixed protein was investigated in subjects receiving a low protein diet. Seven female students were given a protein-free diet for ten days. Feces and 24-h urine samples were collected throughout the period and their nitrogen contents were analyzed. Basal metabolism was measured and the lean body mass was calculated from urinary creatinine excretion by the equation of Forbes. The mean weight loss of the 7 subjects during the ten days was 1.5 kg, the mean obligatory urinary N loss was 32.3 +/- 5.9 mg/kg body weight, 1.67 +/- 0.45 mg/kcal basal metabolism, or 1.68 +/- 0.32 g/g creatinine, and the mean obligatory fecal N loss was 10.1 +/- 2.0 mg/kg body weight, or 0.51 +/- 0.08 mg/kcal basal metabolism. In a second experiment, 17 female subjects were divided into three groups with an energy intake of about 35, 42, 46 kcal/kg BW, respectively. During the 7-day experimental period, they were given a low protein diet containing 250 g of rice and 125 g of whole egg. The nitrogen contents of the 24-h urine samples and feces collected were analyzed and the nitrogen balance was calculated as the difference between N intake and urinary and fecal N excretion. Subjects with an energy intake of 35 kcal/kg BW had a negative N balance, while subjects with an intake of 46 kcal/kg BW achieved an apparent positive N balance. The NPU values of rice and egg mixed protein with energy intake of 35, 42, 46 kcal/kg BW were calculated from the N balance data and the values for obligatory urinary and fecal N losses in the first experiment as 25, 37 and 54, respectively.

Four male Japanese students were fed a semisynthetic diet including rice and whole egg as protein for seven days (basal-diet period), and in the following seven days milk and then, for seven days, horse mackerel were added at the expense of part of the corn starch and sugar in the basal diet (test-diet period). Urine and feces were collected throughout all periods and the contents of protein, fat and energy in these extra were determined. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Digestibility of protein was 97.3 +/- 4.1% for milk and 96.8 +/- 2.8% for horse mackerel. 2) Digestibility of fat was 96.7 +/- 1.9% for milk and 98.6 +/- 2.6% for horse mackerel. 3) The ratio of the total available energy to intake energy (Net Energy Availability) was 92.5 +/- 2.9% for milk and 88.4 +/- 5.2% for horse mackerel.

Utilization and requirement of egg protein in Japanese women with two levels of energy intake were estimated. In experiment 1, fifteen female students were given semi-purified diet containing whole egg as the sole nitrogen source for 12 days. Nitrogen intakes were 50 for five, 75 for two and 100 mg N/kg for eight subjects. Habitual energy intake was determined individually by detailed inquiry about the foods consumed before the experiment was started. Mean energy intake was 33 kcal/kg. In experiment 2, eighteen other subjects were given the same diet containing four intake levels of egg protein (30, 50, 75, 100 mg N/kg) with an energy intake of about 100 kcal/day added to that calculated by the food intake inquiry. The mean energy intake was 37 kcal/kg. The total nitrogen contents of the experimental diet, urine and feces were analyzed and the nitrogen balance was estimated from these figures. Significant rectilinear relations were found between nitrogen intake (X, mg N/kg) and balance (Y, mg N/kg). The regression equations were: Experiment 1: Y = 0.256X - 34.4 (n = 15, r = 0.742) Experiment 2: Y = 0.326X - 29.7 (n = 18, r = 0.645) The maintenance intakes of whole egg protein for apparent nitrogen equilibrium were calculated to be 134 and 91 mg N/kg with energy intakes of 33 and 37 kcal/kg, respectively. Net protein utilization (NPU) and digestibility of egg protein were calculated using the obligatory N losses previously determined in Japanese women. The NPUs at the maintenance level of egg protein with energy intakes of 33 and 37 kcal/kg were estimated as 31 and 47, respectively. The mean digestibility of egg protein was 96%.