Physicochemical properties as indicators of sensory characteristics of jidori and broiler chicken meat

To improve the eating quality of chicken, the physicochemical properties were examined, which serve as indicators for breeding. Thigh meat was collected from 384 chickens from seven and nine types of the jidori (free-range local traditional pedigree chickens) or broiler chickens, respectively. The principal component analysis of the physicochemical values of the jidori and broilers were arranged as different groups in the score plot. The results of multiple regression analysis of the sensory characteristics and physicochemical properties of thigh meat indicated that the tenderness decreased with the higher crude protein content and cooking loss in the jidori and increased with lower cooking loss and higher moisture and ether extract content in the broiler. The juiciness of the jidori decreased as the moisture content decreased, and that of the broiler decreased as the cooking loss and crude protein content increased. The umami of both the jidori and broiler was improved by increasing the 5'-inosinic acid content. Therefore, it was suggested that the physicochemical properties, which serve as indicators of the eating quality of chicken, differed between the jidori and broiler, and that the general biochemical components, cooking loss and 5'-inosinic acid content may serve as breeding indicators.

Alcanivorax borkumensis biofilms enhance oil degradation by interfacial tubulation

During the consumption of alkanes, Alcanivorax borkumensis will form a biofilm around an oil droplet, but the role this plays during degradation remains unclear. We identified a shift in biofilm morphology that depends on adaptation to oil consumption: Longer exposure leads to the appearance of dendritic biofilms optimized for oil consumption effected through tubulation of the interface. In situ microfluidic tracking enabled us to correlate tubulation to localized defects in the interfacial cell ordering. We demonstrate control over droplet deformation by using confinement to position defects, inducing dimpling in the droplets. We developed a model that elucidates biofilm morphology, linking tubulation to decreased interfacial tension and increased cell hydrophobicity.

Relationship between refractive index and fatty acid composition by gas chromatography and near-infrared fiber-optic method in bovine fat

The causes of the difference in fatty acid composition between gas chromatography (GC) and near-infrared fiber-optic method (NIR) in bovine fat and their countermeasures were studied using absolute values of refractive index. Using intermuscular fat from 45 crossbreeds, refractive index was measured by using a refractometer, and saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were measured by NIR and GC. The correlation coefficients between GC and NIR in SFA and MUFA, as well as those between refractive index and GC or NIR (in SFA and MUFA), were all greater than or equal to 0.8 (p < 0.01). In samples with 3% or more difference between GC and NIR in SFA and MUFA, GC and NIR values were often located in opposite directions to the regression lines with regard to refractive index. GC reanalysis on these samples slightly increased the correlation coefficient between GC and refractive index and reduced the difference between GC and NIR by 1%-2%. Results indicate that measurement errors in GC and NIR are related to their more than 3% difference, and GC reanalysis based on refractive index may improve its accuracy.

Ulcerative colitis is associated with a promoter polymorphism of lipopolysaccharide receptor gene, CD14

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial disease with a significant genetic background. Evidence is accumulating that molecules such as CD14, which interact with luminal bacterial constituents, are involved in the pathogenesis. It has recently been shown that the T allele of the 5'-flanking region of the CD14 gene at position -159 is related to high expression of CD14. In further exploring the genetic background of IBD, we investigated this novel polymorphism of CD14 gene in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease.

METHODS

DNA was obtained from 101 patients with ulcerative colitis, 82 with Crohn disease and 123 healthy controls. All were typed for the promoter polymorphism of the CD14 gene at position -159 by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Serum samples were obtained from 105 healthy controls and serum sCD14 levels were measured.

RESULTS

T allele frequencies were 57.4%, 48.2% and 44.7% in ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease and healthy controls, respectively. The T allele and T/T genotype frequencies were significantly higher in ulcerative colitis patients than in healthy controls (P = 0.0074, OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.15-2.42, P = 0.022, OR= 1.96 95% CI: 1.10-3.48, respectively). The sCD14 level was significantly higher in TT genotype populations than CC (P = 0.0205).

CONCLUSIONS

The promoter polymorphism of the CD14 gene at -159T plays a significant role in regulating the CD14 expression and is positively associated with ulcerative colitis, and this polymorphism may confer a genetic predisposition to ulcerative colitis. The results also support the concept that bacterial constituents may be involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

[The anesthetic management of tracheal T-tube exchange using Patil-Syracuse mask]

We exchanged the tracheal T-tube inserted to a 17-year-old female, who wanted to be able to enunciate again, with relapsing polychondritis and difficulty in enunciation which the proximal end of tracheal T-tube above the false vocal cords was causing. The procedure was performed using Patil-Syracuse mask, without tracheal intubation, under-general anesthesia. This method will ensure precise length adjustment and correct placement of the T-tube under fiberoptic bronchoscope.

Design of new inhibitors for cdc2 kinase based on a multiple pseudosubstrate structure

New inhibitors have been designed for cdc2 kinase based on a multiple pseudosubstrate structure. The new inhibitors have three different structural components: 3,4-bis(indol-3-yl)maleimide, Ac-Cys-(Ser)-Pro-Lys-Lys-NHMe, and ethyloxy group between the two components. Inhibitory activities toward cdc2 and other protein kinases were investigated, and the compound (21) with Ac-Cys-Pro-Lys-Lys-NHMe connected with the triethylene glycol spacer exhibited the most potent inhibition with relatively high selectivity.

Inhibition of hair growth by testosterone in the presence of dermal papilla cells from the frontal bald scalp of the postpubertal stumptailed macaque

Hair-follicle regression in the bald scalps of stumptailed macaques develops after puberty, which corresponds to an elevation of serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Using the cultured cells from the pre- and postpubertal macaques, we examined the role of dermal papilla cells in testosterone-induced inhibition of outer root sheath cell proliferation. Testosterone showed no effects on proliferation of either dermal papilla cells or outer root sheath cells cultured alone. Testosterone-induced inhibition of outer root sheath cell proliferation occurred only in coculture with dermal papilla cells derived from the bald scalps of adult macaques but not with dermal papilla cells from the hairy occipital scalps of adult macaques or the prebald frontal scalps of juvenile macaques. Furthermore, RU 58841, an androgen receptor blocker, antagonized this testosterone-elicited inhibition. Together our data indicate that the inhibitory effect of testosterone on proliferation of epithelial cells is age dependent, and androgen may play an essential role in hair growth either by inducing repressor(s) from dermal papilla cells, which may then inhibit the growth of epithelial cells of the hair follicle, or by inducing growth factor(s) from dermal papilla cells, which, in turn, may trigger the induction of some repressors in epithelial cells, thereby inhibiting the epithelial cell growth. Our animal studies also showed that RU 58841 has a dramatic effect on hair regrowth in the bald frontal scalp of the stumptailed macaque, which may further support our in vitro culture studies showing that antiandrogens can antagonize testosterone-elicited hair growth. In summary, our studies may provide a model for further isolation of androgen-regulated repressor(s)/growth factors, which may help control hair growth and baldness.

Collagenolytic activities with differentiation of the cultured cells from the murine hair apparatus

Immature hair apparatus cells were cultured for 3 days to allow to proliferate and differentiate into several subpopulations including hair-shaft type cells on day 6. Zymographic and immunocytochemical studies of the culture media were performed to examine whether the differentiated and/or immature cells from the murine hair apparatus can secrete type IV collagenases. Zymography showed the presence of 72 and 92 kDa type IV collagenases in media, in which hair apparatus cells had been cultured for 3 and 6 days. Most of the cells cultured for 3 and 6 days showed positive reactions with the mouse anti-gelatinase monoclonal antibody in the perinuclear cytoplasm. These data suggest that the differentiated cells as well as immature cells in the hair apparatus may retain the ability to produce and secrete 72 and 92 kDa collagenases.

New fluorinated dopamine D2 ligands with benzofuran skeleton. The synthesis and in vitro evaluation

New fluorinated ligands with N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl]-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-7-carboxamide skeleton, which are useful as a prototype to develop 18F labelled in vivo radiotracer for positron emission tomography (PET), were synthesized, and their binding affinities for the dopamine D2 receptors were investigated. Fluorine atom was introduced at C-4 of the pyrrolidine ring (10) or at ethyl substituent at C-5 of the dihydrobenzofuran moiety (20). The in vitro IC50 values of these ligands for the dopamine D2 receptors which were determined by their ability to inhibit the binding of [3H]spiperone binding in rat striatal membrane were 17 and 36 nM, respectively. Thus, the fluorinated compounds 10 and 20 may be possible candidates for further in vivo investigation.

Involvement of adrenergic and serotonergic nervous mechanisms in allethrin-induced tremors in mice

Oral or intravenous administration of allethrin, a synthetic derivative of the pirethrin-based insecticides, produces neurotoxic symptoms consisting of mild salivation, hyperexcitability, tremors and convulsions which result in death. Intracerebroventricular injection of allethrin to mouse at about one-nineth the dose of intravenous administration, produced qualitatively identical but less prominent symptoms, indicating that at least some of the symptoms may be originated in the central nervous system. To investigate the mechanism of action of the compound, we studied the ability of agents which alter neurotransmission to prevent or potentiate the effect of convulsive doses of technical grade (15.5% cis, 84.5% trans) allethrin. Intraperitoneal pretreatment with drugs which block noradrenergic receptors or norepinephrine synthesis, such as pentobarbital, chlorpromazine, phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine and reserpine, depressed the tremor induced by allethrin. The inhibitory effect of reserpine was reversed by phenylephrine. Both the serotonergic blocker, methysergide, and the serotonin depletor, rho-chlorphenylalanine, potentiated the effect of allethrin. The potentiating effect of methysergide was antagonized by 5-hydroxytryptamine. However, intracerebroventricular administration of methysergide was ineffective in potentiating the effect of allethrin. alpha 2- and beta-adrenoceptor blockers, muscarinic antagonists, GABA mimenergics and morphine had no effect. These results suggest that allethrin produces its neurotoxic responses in mice by acting on the brain and spinal levels. Furthermore, adrenergic excitatory and serotonergic inhibitory mechanisms may be involved in the neural pathway through which the allethrin-induced tremor is evoked.