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Background: The annual administration of the influenza vaccine is the most effective method for preventing influenza. We have evaluated the effectiveness of the inactivated influenza vaccine in children aged 6 months to 15 years across the seasons from 2013/2014 to 2022/2023. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the inactivated influenza vaccine in the 2023/2024 season, the first year following the easing of strict COVID-19 measures, and possibly the last season when only the inactivated vaccine is available on the market., Methods: Adjusted vaccine effectiveness for the 2023/2024 season was assessed using a test-negative case-control design, with results based on polymerase chain reaction and rapid influenza diagnostic tests. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated by influenza type and patient hospitalization/outpatient status., Results: A total of 1832 children were recruited. The inactivated influenza vaccine was effective in preventing both symptomatic influenza A and B in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Overall vaccine effectiveness for influenza A was 51% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23%-69%, n = 930) in inpatient settings and 54% (95%CI, 27%-71%, n = 559) in outpatient settings. For influenza B, effectiveness was 60% (95%CI, 22%-79%, n = 859) in inpatient settings and 56% (95%CI, 26%-74%, n = 558) in outpatient settings. Analysis suggested that administering two doses enhanced effectiveness specifically against influenza B., Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate influenza vaccine effectiveness in children after the relaxation of strict COVID-19 measures in Japan (2023/2024). We recommend the current inactivated vaccine for preventing both influenza A and B in children, with consideration for the potential use of two doses to enhance effectiveness against influenza B., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Masayoshi Shinjoh (Shinjo) reports a relationship with MSD KK that includes: speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh (Shinjo) reports a relationship with Meiji Seika Pharma Co Ltd. that includes: speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh (Shinjo) reports a relationship with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation that includes: speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh (Shinjo) reports a relationship with KM Biologics Co Ltd. that includes: speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh (Shinjo) reports a relationship with Shionogi and Co Ltd. that includes: speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh (Shinjo) reports a relationship with DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED that includes: speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh (Shinjo) reports a relationship with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited that includes: consulting or advisory and speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh (Shinjo) reports a relationship with Pfizer Japan Inc. that includes: consulting or advisory. Masayoshi Shinjoh (Shinjo) reports a relationship with Janssen Pharmaceutical KK that includes: consulting or advisory. Masayoshi Shinjoh (Shinjo) reports a relationship with Astellas Pharma Inc. that includes: consulting or advisory. This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI, Japan (Grant Number JP20K10546). Outside this study, the corresponding author received Health Labour Sciences Research Grant, Japan (2024). If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: The two major storage proteins of soymilk are the globulins 7S and 11S. Freeze-thaw fractionation is a simple method for separating these proteins in raw soymilk. In this study, we assessed the freeze-thaw fractionation ability of raw soymilk under various pH (4.3-11.6) conditions and added salt (sodium chloride) concentrations (0.00-0.67 mol L -1 )., Results: We successfully achieved fractionation within a pH range of 5.8-6.7 and when the salt concentration was 0.22 mol L -1 or lower. Analysis of particle size distribution and microscopic examination of soymilk revealed no direct correlation between particle size and freeze-thaw fractionation ability. Interestingly, it was confirmed that the ranges of zeta potential values associated with successful freeze-thaw fractionation in raw soymilk remained consistent across different pH and salt concentration conditions. These ranges were between -23 and -28 mV at pH levels ranging from 5.8 to 6.7 and between -18 and -29 mV at added salt concentrations ranging from 0 to 0.22 mol L -1 ., Conclusion: The pH and salt concentration in raw soymilk markedly influence the freeze-thaw fractionation process. We confirmed that the range of zeta potential values where fractionation was possible remained consistent under various pH and salt concentration conditions. These findings suggest that the zeta potential value might serve as an indicator for evaluating the freeze-thaw fractionation ability of raw soymilk. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

We have analyzed the inactivated vaccine effectiveness (VE)for preventing influenza hospitalization by test-negative design in the 2022/23 season. This is the first season of co-circulation of influenza and COVID-19, and a unique period because all inpatients received COVID-19 screening. Among 536 children hospitalized with fever, none were positive for both influenza and SARS-CoV-2. The adjusted VE for preventing influenza A for all children, the 6-12-year-old group, and those with underlying diseases was 34 % (95 ％CI, -16 %-61 %, n = 474), 76 % (95 ％ CI, 21 %-92 %, n = 81), and 92 % (95 ％ CI, 30 %-99 %, n = 86), respectively. Only 1 out of 35 hospitalized cases with COVID-19, and 42 out of 429 controls, had been immunized with COVID-19 vaccine. This is the first report showing influenza VE by age group in children in this limited season. We still recommend the inactivated influenza vaccine for children based on the significant VE in subgroup analysis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Masayoshi Shinjoh and Shinya Tsuzuki report that financial support was provided by JSPS KAKENHI, Japan (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan). Masayoshi Shinjoh reports a relationship with Meiji Seika Pharma Co. Ltd. that includes speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh reports a relationship with Astellas Pharma Inc. that includes speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh reports a relationship with Shionogi and Co. Ltd. that includes speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh reports a relationship with Janssen Pharmaceutical KK that includes speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh reports a relationship with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation that includes speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh reports a relationship with Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. that includes speaking and lecture fees. Masayoshi Shinjoh reports a relationship with Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. that includes speaking and lecture fees., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Soymilk is utilized not only as a beverage but also as an alternative to bovine milk, including products such as yoghurt and cream. Evaporated soymilk is expected to be utilized as condensed milk. Raw and heated soymilk samples prepared in our laboratory were evaporated and then subjected to viscosity measurement. The soymilk samples were made from two different varieties: Fukuyutaka, which contains 7S and 11S globulin proteins; and an 11S-lacking soybean (Nanahomare)., Results: Raw Fukuyutaka soymilk had a lower viscosity and could be concentrated to a solids content of over 300 g kg -1 compared to heated soymilk (around 250 g kg -1 ), but the viscosity changes of Nanahomare soymilk showed an opposite trend. Only 7S globulin was denatured during evaporation at 75 °C and likely affected the interaction between proteins and oil bodies. This tendency was remarkable in the Nanahomare soymilk. The strange viscosity change behavior of evaporated Nanahomare soymilk, number of protein particles, intrinsic fluorescence and flow behavior suggest that thermally denatured 7S globulin accelerates the interactions between oil bodies, whereas 11S globulin, which is probably in its native state, suppresses the acceleration by denatured 7S globulin., Conclusion: Raw soymilk containing native globulins shows a slower increase in viscosity during evaporation. However, denatured 7S globulin accelerates the increase in viscosity during evaporation through interactions between oil bodies. The effect of the denatured state of individual proteins on interactions is expected to be useful in understanding the interaction between proteins and in controlling their properties and functions. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: We have reported the vaccine effectiveness of inactivated influenza vaccine in children aged 6 months to 15 years between the 2013/14 and 2018/19 seasons. Younger (6-11 months) and older (6-15 years old) children tended to have lower vaccine effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the recent vaccine can be recommended to all age groups., Methods: The overall adjusted vaccine effectiveness was assessed from the 2013/14 until the 2020/21 season using a test-negative case-control design based on rapid influenza diagnostic test results. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated by influenza type and by age group (6-11 months, 1-2, 3-5, 6-12, and 13-15 years old) with adjustments including influenza seasons., Results: A total of 29,400 children (9347, 4435, and 15,618 for influenza A and B, and test-negatives, respectively) were enrolled. The overall vaccine effectiveness against influenza A, A(H1N1)pdm09, and B was significant (44% [95% confidence interval (CI), 41-47], 63% [95 %CI, 51-72], and 37% [95 %CI, 32-42], respectively). The vaccine was significantly effective against influenza A and B, except among children 6 to 11 months against influenza B. The age group with the highest vaccine effectiveness was 1 to 2 years old with both influenza A and B (60% [95 %CI, 55-65] and 52% [95 %CI, 41-61], respectively). Analysis for the 2020/21 season was not performed because no cases were reported., Conclusions: This is the first report showing influenza vaccine effectiveness by age group in children for several seasons, including immediately before the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) era. The fact that significant vaccine effectiveness was observed in nearly every age group and every season shows that the recent vaccine can still be recommended to children for the upcoming influenza seasons, during and after the COVID-19 era., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

During influenza epidemics, Japanese clinicians routinely conduct rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) in patients with influenza-like illness, and patients with positive test results are treated with anti-influenza drugs within 48 h after the onset of illness. We assessed the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) in children (6 months-15 years old, N = 4243), using a test-negative case-control design based on the results of RIDTs in the 2018/19 season. The VE against influenza A(H1N1)pdm and A(H3N2) was analyzed separately using an RIDT kit specifically for detecting A(H1N1)pdm09. The adjusted VE against combined influenza A (H1N1pdm and H3N2) and against A(H1N1)pdm09 was 39% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30%-46%) and 74% (95% CI, 39%-89%), respectively. By contrast, the VE against non-A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza A (presumed to be H3N2) was very low at 7%. The adjusted VE for preventing hospitalization was 56% (95% CI, 16%-77%) against influenza A. The VE against A(H1N1)pdm09 was consistently high in our studies. By contrast, the VE against A(H3N2) was low not only in adults but also in children in the 2018/19 season., Competing Interests: We have read the journal’s policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: within 36 months, Dr. Norio Sugaya has received speakers’ honoraria from Chugai, Shionogi, Daiichi Sankyo, Astellas, Merck, and Denka Seiken. Dr. Masayoshi Shinjoh has received speakers’ honoraria from Shionogi, Meiji Seika, Merck, Sumitomo Dainippon, Japan Vaccine, Maruho, Astellas, Daiichi Sankyo, and grant support from Janssen. Dr. Keiko Mitamura has received speakers’ honoraria from Shionogi, Meiji Seika, and manuscript fee from Astellas. Dr. Takao Takahashi has received speakers’ honoraria from Daiichi Sankyo, GlaxoSmithKline, Japan Vaccine, Pfizer, Merck, and grant support from Daiichi Sankyo, Japan Vaccine, Pfizer, Merck, Takeda, and Astellas. Other authors have no competing interests regarding this study. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

About 1000 species of bacteria are present in the human intestine. Some Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli or Salmonella spp. among intestinal bacteria have lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which might induce inflammation of human intestines. Actually, LPS, especially its lipid A constituent, is toxic. Small amounts of LPS in bacteria cause inflammation of mucosa and other tissues in humans. Such bacteria may be regulated by beneficial lactic acid bacteria to maintain human health. Many lactic acid bacteria show cancer prevention activity and anti-inflammatory activity in intestines. Recently, Pediococcus pentosaceus AK-23 was isolated from fermentative vegetable pickles for neutralization of LPS. For this study, a protein for LPS neutralization was purified partly from P. pentosaceus AK-23. For this study, a protein for LPS neutralization was purified partly from P. pentosaceus AK-23, by ultrafiltration using a 300 kDa membrane and a 100 kDa membrane after cell wall digestion by lysozyme. Gel running blue native electrophoresis revealed the existence of a 217 kDa protein. The band of the protein having the ability to bind LPS on the gel was analyzed for amino acid homology. As the result, it is revealed as part of a subunit of heat shock protein (HSP). Furthermore, it displayed LPS binding or hydrophobic motifs. The protein neutralized LPS to release fatty acid as myristic acid and glucose from polysaccharide. These findings suggest that HSP in P. pentosaceus AK-23 neutralizes LPS to decompose it compising fatty acid and polysaccharide., (© 2017 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

Listeria monocytogenes only occasionally causes bacterial meningitis in immunocompetent children. We report a case of L. monocytogenes meningitis associated with rotavirus gastroenteritis. The patient was a previously healthy 20-month-old girl who was admitted because of sustained fever and lethargy after suffering from gastroenteritis for 6 days. The patient's peripheral white blood cell count was 18,600/µL and the C-reactive protein level was 2.44 mg/dL. A stool sample tested positive for rotavirus antigen. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample showed pleocytosis. Cultures of the CSF and stool samples revealed the presence of L. monocytogenes. The patient was successfully treated with ampicillin and gentamicin. We speculate that translocation of enteric flora across the intestinal epithelium that had been damaged by rotavirus gastroenteritis might have caused bacteremia that disseminated into the CSF. Both listeriosis and secondary systemic infection after rotavirus gastroenteritis are rare but not unknown. Initiation of appropriate treatment as soon as possible is important for all types of bacterial meningitis. This rare but serious complication should be taken into consideration even if the patient does not have any medical history of immune-related problems.

In food industries, enzymatic starch hydrolysis is an important process that consists of two steps: gelatinization and saccharification. One of the major difficulties in designing the starch hydrolysis process is the sharp change in its rheological properties. In this study, Taylor-Couette flow reactor was applied to continuous starch hydrolysis process. The concentration of reducing sugar produced via enzymatic hydrolysis was evaluated by varying operational variables: rotational speed of the inner cylinder, axial velocity (reaction time), amount of enzyme, and initial starch content in the slurry. When Taylor vortices were formed in the annular space, efficient hydrolysis occurred because Taylor vortices improved the mixing of gelatinized starch with enzyme. Furthermore, a modified inner cylinder was proposed, and its mixing performance was numerically investigated. The modified inner cylinder showed higher potential for enhanced mixing of gelatinized starch and the enzyme than the conventional cylinder.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between reactive swelling of regional lymph node (LN) and survival in colorectal carcinoma. We retrospectively studied 170 patients with surgically resected colorectal carcinoma histopathologically diagnosed as stage II (pStage II). These patients were classified into two groups:a) a "reactive LN swelling" group (clinically diagnosed as positive for LN metastasis, but pathologically negative) and b) a "no LN swelling" group. Survival analyses of the two groups showed that overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were longer in the reactive LN swelling group than in the no LN swelling group in patients with total colorectal and right-sided colon cancer. Multivariate analyses revealed that reactive LN swelling was an independent prognostic factor in OS and DSS in patients with right-sided colon cancer. Reactive swelling of regional LN is regarded as an expression of local immune responses, which could explain the present results.

Recently, many scholars have reported lactic acid bacteria (LAB) functions, such as anticancer activity and anti-inflammatory activity for intestines. To decrease inflammatory substances such as endotoxins, LAB consumed safely with meals were isolated from food and food ingredients. First, LAB were isolated as 168 strains of bacillus LAB (49 strain) and coccus LAB (119 strains) from food ingredients and fermented foods such as rice, rice bran, malt, grains, miso soy paste, and some pickles. Their LAB (168 strains) were cultivated in medium containing endotoxin from Escherichia coli O18 LPS at 15 and 30 °C for 64 h to identify endotoxin-eliminating LAB. Consequently, the AK-23 strain was screened as an endotoxin-eliminating LAB strain. The strain decreased endotoxin in YP medium without sugar at 30 °C for 64 h until 9% of endotoxin. The strain was identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus according to morphological characteristics such as its cell shape, physiological characteristics related to its fermentation type, assimilation of sugars, pH tolerance, optimum growth temperature, and molecular biological characteristics as its homology to 16S rRNA. To investigate the location of the endotoxin-eliminating substance, 4 fractions were separated from AK-23 cells as extracellular, cell wall digestion, cytoplasm, and cell membrane fractions. The endotoxin-decreasing substance, located on a cell wall, was identified as a 217 kDa protein., (© 2016 Institute of Food Technologists®)

Background: To develop a triplet regimen containing gemcitabine, cisplatin, and S-1 (GPS), we assessed the recommended dose for patients with untreated advanced biliary tract cancer in this phase I study., Methods: Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were evaluated for the following two dose levels: gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2) for level 1 and 1200 mg/m(2) for level 2 on day 1), cisplatin (30 mg/m(2) fixed dose on day 1), and S-1 (40-60 mg/day fixed dose twice a day for 7 days), every 2 weeks until progression. DLTs for each level were evaluated in six or more patients during the first two cycles., Results: A total of 18 patients were enrolled and 16 patients were evaluated. DLTs at level 1 were observed in two of 10 patients. At level 2, a DLT was observed in one of six patients. The main grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were neutropenia and leukopenia, and a few non-hematological toxicities were observed. Among 14 patients with measurable lesions, the best response rate was 50%., Conclusions: GPS with a relative dose intensity corresponding to 90% of the standard gemcitabine plus cisplatin regimen could be administered safely, and showed preliminary antitumor activity. Survival benefits will be studied subsequently., (© 2015 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

The mechanism underlying the freeze-thaw fractionation of 7S and 11S globulins in soymilk was investigated. Freeze-thawed soymilk demonstrated an increased particle size compared with raw soymilk. Further, when defatted raw soymilk was freeze-thawed, it was fractionated into 7S (supernatant) and 11S (precipitate) globulins, similar to what is found with freeze-thaw of raw soymilk. When raw soymilk samples with different ratios of 11S/7S were freeze-thawed, the 11S-deficient variety showed no precipitate. The addition of sodium sulphite or sodium dodecyl sulphate also inhibited precipitate formation after freeze-thawing, resulting in no fractionation. These results suggest that the fractionation is due to selective precipitation of aggregates of 11S globulins and/or 11S globulins and lipid complexes, in which the protein molecules interact through disulphide bonds and/or hydrophobic interactions., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Antioxidative compounds were isolated from the 50% methanol extract of dried leaves of Celastrus hindsii. Eight phenolic compounds (1-8) were finally obtained by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and mass spectrometry analyses. They were the five known compounds, rutin (1), kaempferol 3-rutinoside (2), rosmarinic acid (3), lithospermic acid (4), and lithospermic acid B (6), and three novel oligomers of rosmarinic acid, a dimer (5) and two trimers (7 and 8). The major components in the extract were rosmarinic acid (3) and lithospermic acid B (6). These phenolic compounds were shown to have antioxidative activities against the autoxidation of methyl linoleate in bulk phase and the radical-initiated peroxidation of soybean phosphatidylcholine in liposomes. In the liposomal peroxidation, the number of phenolic hydroxyl group in each molecule was correlated with the effectiveness of antioxidative activity.

Antioxidative compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of dry outer scales of onion (Allium cepa L.). Nine phenolic compounds (1-9) were finally obtained by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by NMR and mass spectrometry analyses. They were the six known compounds, protocatechuic acid (1), 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-2,4,6-trihydroxy-3(2H)-benzofuranone (2), quercetin 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), quercetin (5), 4'-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside of quercetin dimer (7), and quercetin dimer (8), and three novel compounds, condensation products of quercetin with protocatechuic acid (4), adduct of quercetin with quercetin 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), and quercetin trimer (9). These phenolic compounds were tested for their antioxidant properties using autoxidation of methyl linoleate in bulk phase or free radical initiated peroxidation of soybean phosphatidylcholine in liposomes. The flavonoid compounds having o-dihydroxy substituent in the B-ring were shown to be effective antioxidants against nonenzymic lipid peroxidation.

Bovine milk alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-La) was mixed with soybean saponin, and the resulting mixture was hydrolyzed by trypsin. Saponin increased the tryptic-hydrolysis level of alpha-La only at relatively high phosphate buffer concentrations (> or = 0.05 M). T(1) experiments with acetylated soybean saponin demonstrated that there were some interactions between alpha-La and saponin not only at high concentrations of phosphate buffers but even at low concentrations as well. Circular dichroism spectra of alpha-La showed that the tertiary structure of alpha-La was changed through interactions with saponin only at high buffer concentrations. Furthermore, by analyzing the tryptic peptides from an alpha-La/saponin mixture, hydrolyzing rates at all or some of K5, R10, and K16 of alpha-La were accelerated by saponin interactions. The increase in the tryptic hydrolysis of alpha-La by saponin addition was considered due to modification of the tertiary structure of alpha-La by saponin.

The primary amino acid sequence of alpha-subunit in ovomucin (OVM) from hen thick egg white was determined. The 2087 amino acid residues with a relative molecular mass of 230.9 kDa along the full length of the alpha-subunit were represented. The alpha-subunit contains domains, arranged from the N- to C-terminals in the following order: D1-D2-D'-D3-R (central region)-D4-C1-CK (Cystine-knot), in a manner similar to the arrangement of D, C and CK domains in human pre-pro-von Willebrand factor (hpp-vWF) and hMUC2. The alpha-subunit showed identities on amino acid sequences with hpp-vWF and hMUC2 at 33 and 41% in the N-terminal region and 30 and 38% in the C-terminal region, respectively. The numbers and positions of cysteine residues were highly conserved among alpha-subunit, hpp-vWF and hMUC2. However, R showed no virtual sequence homology with the corresponding regions in two proteins. It was estimated that alpha-subunit was not part of a large peptide of OVM, but was independently synthesized from beta-subunit.

Antioxidative compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of fresh rhizome of smaller galanga (Alpinia officinarum Hance). Seven phenylpropanoids (1-7) were obtained and their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR analyses. They comprised the two known compounds, (E)-p-coumaryl alcohol gamma-O-methyl ether (1) and (E)-p-coumaryl alcohol (6); and the five novel compounds, stereoisomers of (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-1-methoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-pentene (2a and 2b), stereoisomers of (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-ethoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-pentene (3a and 3b), (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-1-[(2E)-3-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-2-propenoxy]-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-pentene (4), (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-penten-1-ol (5), and (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-penten-1-ol (7). Compounds 1-7 were detected for the first time as constituents of galanga rhizomes and exhibited antioxidative activities against the autoxidation of methyl linoleate in bulk phase.

Antioxidative compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of fresh rhizome of smaller galanga (Alpinia officinarum Hance). Seven phenylpropanoids (1-7) were finally obtained by reversed-phase HPLC, and their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR analyses. They comprised the two known compounds, (E)-p-coumaryl alcohol gamma-O-methyl ether (1) and (E)-p-coumaryl alcohol (6), and the five novel compounds, stereoisomers of (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-pentene (2a and 2b), stereoisomers of (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-ethoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-pentene (3a and 3b), (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-[(2E)-3-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-2-propenoxy]-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-pentene (4), (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(methoxymethyl)-4-penten-1-ol (5), and (4E)-1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-penten-1-ol (7). Compounds 1-7 were detected for the first time as constituents of galanga rhizomes and exhibited antioxidative activities against the autoxidation of methyl linoleate in bulk phase.

Glycosidically bound compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of fresh rhizomes of smaller galanga (Alpinia officinarum Hance). Nine glycosides (1-9) were finally obtained by reversed-phase HPLC and their structures were elucidated by MS and NMR analyses. They were the three known glycosides, (1R,3S,4S)-trans-3-hydroxy-1,8-cineole beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), benzyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), and 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4-allylbenzene (chavicol beta-D-glucopyranoside, 4); and the six novel glycosides, 3-methyl-but-2-en-1-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 1-hydroxy-2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4-allylbenzene (5), 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2-hydroxy-4-allylbenzene (demethyleugenol beta-D-glucopyranoside, 6), 1-O-(6-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2-hydroxy-4-allylbenzene (demethyleugenol beta-rutinoside, 7), 1-O-(6-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-allylbenzene (chavicol beta-rutinoside, 8), and 1,2-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4-allylbenzene (9). Compounds 2-9 were detected for the first time as constituents of galanga rhizomes.

A sensitive HPLC procedure with postcolumn reduction and electrochemical detection was developed for the analysis of vitamin E and its oxidation products, alpha-tocopherylquinone, epoxy-alpha-tocopherylquinones, and 8a-(lipid-dioxy)-alpha-tocopherones. After the separation on a reversed-phase column, on-line zinc-catalyzed reduction allowed the detection of alpha-tocopherylquinone and epoxy-alpha-tocopheryl-quinones, whereas platinum-catalyzed reduction allowed the detection of 8a-(lipid-dioxy)-alpha-tocopherones. The lowest detectable level of each compound was about 0.2 pmol at the signal-to-noise ratio of 3. This method was applied to the detection of alpha-tocopherol products in peroxidized human plasma. When the plasma was peroxidized by the addition of a free radical initiator, peaks corresponding to alpha-tocopherylquinone, epoxy-alpha-tocopherylquinones, and the addition products of alpha-tocopherol with peroxyl radicals derived from cholesteryl ester hydroperoxides and PC hydroperoxides were observed. The amount of these oxidation products in the plasma increased with the depletion of endogenous alpha-tocopherol. The results indicate that the method is useful to detect the oxidation products formed by the peroxyl radical-trapping reactions of alpha-tocopherol in biological systems.

a-Tocopherol was reacted with cholesteryl linoleate hydroperoxides (Ch18:2-OOH) in the presence of an iron-chelate, Fe(III) acetylacetonate, at 37 degrees C in benzene. The reaction products were isolated and identified as four positional isomers of cholesteryl (8a-dioxy-alpha-tocopherone)-epoxyoctadecenoates and two positional isomers of cholesteryl (8a-dioxy-alpha-tocopherone)-octadecadienoates. The result indicates that the peroxyl radicals from Ch18:2-OOH react with the 8a-carbon radical of alpha-tocopherol to form the addition products.

Alpha-tocopherol was reacted with 1-palmitoyl-2-[(9Z,11E)-(S)-13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoyl]-3-sn-phosphatidylcholine (13-PLPC-OOH) in the presence of a lipid-soluble iron chelate, Fe(III) acetylacetonate, in methanol at 37 degrees C. The reaction product was isolated and identified as a mixture of 1-palmitoyl-2-[(10E)-(12S,13S)-9-(8a-dioxy-alpha-tocopherone)-12,13-epoxy-10-octadecenoyl]-3-sn-phosphatidylcholine and 1-palmitoyl-2-[(9Z)-(12S,13S)-11-(8a-dioxy-alpha-tocopherone)-12,13-epoxy-9-octadecenoyl]-3-sn-phosphatidylcholine (TOO-epoxyPLPC), in which the 12,13-epoxyperoxyl radicals derived from 13-PLPC-OOH attacked the 8a-position of the alpha-tocopheroxyl radical. The iron and ascorbate-catalyzed reaction of 13-PLPC-OOH with alpha-tocopherol in phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes was assessed by measuring the reaction products of alpha-tocopherol. When 13-PLPC-OOH and alpha-tocopherol were added in saturated dimyristoyl-PC liposomes, the products were TOO-epoxyPLPC, alpha-tocopherylquinone, and epoxy-alpha-tocopherylquinones. In 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-PC (PLPC) liposomes, alpha-tocopherol could react with both the 13-PLPC-OOH derived 12,13-epoxyperoxyl radicals and the PLPC-derived peroxyl radicals and formed the addition products together with alpha-tocopherylquinone and epoxy-alpha-tocopherylquinones. Therefore, the iron-catalyzed decomposition of phospholipid hydroperoxides primarily produces epoxyperoxyl radicals, which react with the 8a-carbon centered radical of alpha-tocopherol in liposomal systems.

1CF11 (Kanamaru, Y. et al.; Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 249, 618-623, 1998) is a monoclonal antibody obtained after being raised in a mouse by injection of human milk MUC1 mucin as the antigen. Its reactivity was found to be unique in that it only reacts with a carbohydrate epitope shared by glycoproteins in human secretions, while its chemical nature is still unknown. Since a glycoprotein of Mr 135,000 (135K) in human milk was found to react extremely strongly with this antibody, we intended in this study to isolate the glycoprotein by a combination of various chromatographic techniques and identify it. It is a human milk bile-salt-stimulated lipase. By comparison of its immunoreactivity and glycan structures so far reported with those of lactoferrin from human milk, it is suggested that the epitope recognized by mAb ICF11 could be a human-specific novel glycan.

Ovalbumin (OVA) was aggregated stepwise by dry heating at 120 degrees C with a gradual increase in its heating times (10 min-6 h). The inhibiting effects of DHOVAs (OVAs dry-heated for various times up to 6 h) on the heat coagulation of ovotransferrin (OT) were studied. DHOVAs and OT were solubilized at 5% (w/w) concentration with 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Their solutions were mixed at the volume ratio of 1:1 and reheated at 60 degrees C for 3. 5 min. Some remarkable differences according to dry-heating time were observed: coagulum formations were greatly inhibited in the solutions mixed with DHOVAs treated for more than around 2.0 h, with decreasing turbidity as dry-heating time increased. In addition, the effects of reheating time and temperature, as well as those of pH and ionic strength, were also examined on coagulum formation and turbidity development in connection with dry-heating time. Thus, the inhibiting effects of dry-heated egg white on the heat coagulation of fresh egg white previously described were confirmed on the molecular level of OVA and OT.

To estimate the interactions forming in soymilk freeze-gel, lyophilized gel was extracted successively with various solvents. A mixture of urea, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) dissolved the proteins effectively. The thiol-disulfide exchange reactions and hydrophobic interactions were shown to have a complex relation with a three-dimensional network. The addition of SDS or 2-ME resulted in an incomplete gel or no precipitation of soymilk. In our previous paper (Shimoyamada et al. Food Sci. Technol. Res. 1999, 5, 284-288), the significance of precooling to form small, homogeneously distributed ice crystals in soymilk was reported. In this study, precooling was shown to maintain the partially denatured structures of soybean proteins in soymilk that had unfolded due to heat treatment. These phenomena were considered to be other important functions of precooling in freeze-gelation.

Effects of Soybean Saponin on Protease Hydrolyses of beta-Lactoglobulin and alpha-Lactalbumin The effects of soybean saponin on tryptic and chymotryptic hydrolyses of whey proteins were evaluated. beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin became more sensitive to both trypsin and chymotrypsin by interacting with saponin in contrast to serum albumin. Soybean saponin was shown to have different effects on various proteins according to their nature.

Dialyzed and freeze-dried egg white (FDEW) was dry-heated at 120 degrees C for up to 6 h. The inhibiting effects of the dry-heated egg white (DHEW) on the heat aggregation and coagulation of egg white (as 10% FDEW solution) and characteristics of the DHEW were examined. From the changes in turbidities and soluble protein contents of supernatant in various mixtures of 10% FDEW and DHEW solutions induced by heating (60 degrees C, 5 min), it was found that the inhibiting capacity increased with increases in the dry-heating time (DHT). The FDEW proteins were denatured with a mild conformational change (not secondary but tertiary structure) with the increase in DHT and aggregated partially. However, the more transparent solutions of DHEW containing soluble aggregates according to DHT were also obtained after heating. The transparency according to DHT came to be scarcely affected by the NaCl concentration and the dilution with diluents containing SDS, urea, and 2-mercaptoethanol. These findings suggest that the heat aggregations and coagulations of ovotransferrin and lysozyme in the FDEW were inhibited by their bindings with the soluble aggregates in DHEW.

The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) activity of ovomucin (OM) subunits, and the effects of alkylation before and after reduction and protease treatments on the HI activity of OM to bovine rotavirus (RV) and hen newcastle disease virus (NDV) were investigated. The appearance of the HI activity of Om against RV was accomplished by a macromolecule composed of alpha- and beta-subunits, while that against NDV required the beta-subunit moiety only.

The binding of some egg white proteins to bovine rotavirus, hen new castle disease virus (NDV), and human influenza virus (IV) was investigated by using the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and supplemented by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In comparison with other egg white proteins, ovomucin showed the highest affinity for the three viruses, while ovomucoid showed only slight affinity for NDV in the HI test and ELISA.

On the basis of the literature the results of experimental investigations on hypocholesterolemic action of saponins are demonstrated. Also the theories explaining the mechanism of this action are discussed.