Rhabdomyolysis Complicated with Hyponatremia Due to Water Intoxication and Severe Aspiration Pneumonia: Description of a Patient with Chronic Schizophrenia and Literature Review.

Hyponatremia due to water intoxication is frequently observed in patients with chronic schizophrenia. We herein present a 49-year-old man who developed schizophrenia at the age of 23 and had been admitted to the closed ward of our hospital for 7 years. He was found by a round nurse standing at the bedside, covering both ears with his hands and making groaning noises. He was disoriented and immediately after being returned to bed, a general tonic-clonic seizure occurred. Severe hyponatremia (Na 104 mEq/L) was noted and intravenous sodium correction was started. A few hours later, due to glossoptosis and massive vomiting, ventilation got worse to the point where he had to be put on a ventilator. On the following day, he developed aspiration pneumonia and antimicrobial treatment was started. In addition, a blood sample taken 36 hours later revealed an extensive elevation of creatine kinase (41,286 U/L), pointing to a possibility of rhabdomyolysis as a complication. Subsequently, the general condition gradually improved with antimicrobial therapy and sodium correction. He eventually recovered without any complications including central pontine myelinolysis. He had no history of polydipsia before this event but it was later found that esophageal stricture triggered complusive fluid intake, resulting in acute hyponatremia, seizure, aspiration pneumonia and rhabdomyolysis. A brief discussion will be provided on the issues surrounding hyponatremia, rhabdomyolysis and schizophrenia.

Detection of Balenine in Mouse Plasma after Administration of Opah-Derived Balenine by HPLC with PITC Pre-Column Derivatization.

We examined the absorption of balenine (Bal) in mouse blood after the administration of a high-purity Bal prepared from opah muscle. Using HPLC with phenyl isothiocyanate pre-column derivatization, we successfully isolated imidazole peptides and their constituents. We detected Bal and 3-methylhistidine (3-Me-His) in mouse blood 1 h after the administration of opah-derived Bal. The concentrations of Bal and 3-Me-His significantly increased to 128.27 and 69.09 nmol/mL in plasma, respectively, but were undetectable in control and carnosine (Car)-administrated mice. In contrast, ß-alanine and histidine did not increase in mouse plasma 1 h after the administration of Car and opah-derived Bal. The present study is the first report on the absorption of food-derived Bal in mouse blood and serves as a pilot study for future clinical trials.

Comparison of gelatin and low-molecular weight gelatin hydrolysate ingestion on hydroxyproline (Hyp), Pro-Hyp and Hyp-Gly concentrations in human blood.

This study showed that gelatin ingestion significantly increased prolyl-hydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp) levels in plasma of 9 subjects, with maximum concentrations of 15.5 ± 3.0 nmol/mL 2 h post-ingestion. Hydroxyprolyl-glycine (Hyp-Gly) concentrations were significantly increased and reached a maximal level of 2.3 ± 0.5 nmol/mL 1 h post-ingestion of gelatin. A low molecular weight gelatin hydrolysate (LMW-GH) significantly enhanced concentrations of both peptides, while gelatin hydrolysate ingestion did not significantly enhance the maximum concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of Hyp-Gly relative to gelatin. The absorption of free Hyp following gelatin ingestion (94.4 ± 16.4 nmol/mL) was significantly lower relative to GH (150.9 ± 15.3 nmol/mL) and LMW-GH (169.1 ± 32.5 nmol/mL). The present study is the first report demonstrating that Hyp-containing peptides are elevated to µM levels in human plasma after gelatin ingestion. These results suggested that gelatin is useful as a functional food as effectively as GH.

[Study for Formation Root of Off-Flavor Substance 2-Iodo-4-methylphenol in Milk].

Food can sometimes contain odors not normally associated with that food. These odors are called off-flavors, and cow milk is known to contain off-flavors such as hexanal depending on the feed or physical condition of the cows. We previously discovered and revealed the structure of 2-Iodo-4-methylphenol (2I4MP), an off-flavor component in commercially available cow milk. We were the first group to discover 2I4MP is an off-flavor component in cow milk.This study investigated the following three questions. First, what compounds serve as the starting materials in generating 2I4MP? Organic synthesis techniques were used to identify p-cresol as a candidate starting material. Second, how is 2I4MP generated in the cowshed? Using cow dung, we confirmed that 2I4MP was generated by the effects of iodine on cow dung. Based on these findings, measures were proposed to prevent contamination of cow milk by 2I4MP. Third, how is 2I4MP transferred to raw milk? 2I4MP movement was estimated by creating a desiccator-based model that showed 2I4MP is potentially transferred to raw milk in the cowshed. These involve that the iodine-based disinfectants, used to disinfect teats during milking, should not be used excessively. Furthermore, ensuring the disinfectants do not fall onto cow dung or bedding. Adopting these measures is vital for preventing contamination of cow milk by 2I4MP.

[Identification and Quantification of 2-Iodo-4-methylphenol in Milk].

It is well-known that a strange flavor, known as off-flavor, might be found in various food products. Even though these substances do not affect our body directly, they can cause a significant change in food flavor and smell, thereby lowering the quality of food products. A well-known example of off-flavor is the transfer of smell from one food product to another. We have previously studied how the smell of limonene, a flavor component of orange juice in paper cartons, is transferred from unopened packages to milk stored in paper cartons, and have confirmed cases where the milk develops a smell completely different from that of limonene. This smell was also confirmed to not have originated from orange juice, and was found to be similar to that of a halogenated phenol. This study aimed to identify this odor component, and our findings indicate the off-flavor component to be 2-iodo-4-methylphenol.

A Pilot Study for the Detection of Cyclic Prolyl-Hydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp) in Human Blood after Ingestion of Collagen Hydrolysate.

Levels of short linear hydroxyproline (Hyp)-containing peptides, such as prolyl-hydroxyproline (Pro-Hyp), increase in human blood after the ingestion of collagen hydrolysate, which has been associated with beneficial effects for human skin and joints. The present study demonstrates the presence of a novel food-derived collagen peptide, cyclic Pro-Hyp, in human blood after the ingestion of collagen hydrolysate. The cyclic Pro-Hyp levels in plasma samples were estimated by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Cyclic Pro-Hyp levels significantly increased in the plasma after ingestion of collagen hydrolysate, reaching a maximum level after 2 h and then decreasing. The maximum level of cyclic Pro-Hyp in plasma ranged from 0.1413 to 0.3443 nmol/mL, representing approximately 5% of linear Pro-Hyp in plasma after ingestion of collagen hydrolysate. Addition of cyclic Pro-Hyp in medium at 7 nmol/mL significantly enhanced the growth rate of mouse skin fibroblasts on collagen gel more extensively compared to linear Pro-Hyp.

Changes in composition and content of food-derived peptide in human blood after daily ingestion of collagen hydrolysate for 4 weeks.

BACKGROUND: Daily ingestion of collagen hydrolysate for a long period improves skin and joint conditions. It has been speculated that the beneficial effects are exerted by food-derived hydroxyproline (Hyp) peptides, which are detected in human blood after single ingestions. In the present study, to investigate the effect of long-term ingestion of collagen hydrolysate on Hyp peptides profile in blood, the concentrations of Hyp-peptides in human blood before and after daily ingestion for a long period were examined. RESULTS: Hyp-peptides increased to a maximum level at 1 h after ingestion and reverted to their initial levels within 24 h during experimental period. Pro-Gly and Hyp-peptides such as Pro-Hyp-Gly, Pro-Hyp, Ile-Hyp, Leu-Hyp, Hyp-Gly, Glu-Hyp and Ala-Hyp were identified in the blood after ingestion of collagen hydrolysate at 4.5 g day-1 for 4 weeks. For the whole period, Pro-Hyp was the leading compound. The compositional rate of Hyp-Gly showed a tendency to increase, while that of Pro-Hyp tended to decrease after daily ingestion. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that daily ingestion of collagen hydrolysate for a long period can change compositional rate of Hyp peptides in human blood. This fact suggests that long-term ingestion of collagen hydrolysate might change exo- or endo-type protease activity in the digestive tract, which may consequently promote beneficial effects. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Aroma Leakage from Orange Juice Packed in Gable-Top Paper Containers for Chilled Distribution.

We conducted a study to examine aroma leakage from orange juice packed in gable-top paper containers for chilled distribution. Limonene, an aromatic component of orange juice, was considered as an index compound of aroma leakage, and its seepage on the surface of the container and concentration in the orange juice were measured by GC-MS for 12 commercial samples. After 3 days of storage, limonene was detected on the surface of 8 orange juice containers, and the concentration of limonene in the orange juice was found to have decreased. Thus, limonene leaked through the container within a few days, and the extent of leakage differed between containers, presumably depending upon their barrier properties. In addition, limonene was detected in green tea and milk that was stored together with the unopened orange juice containers at 4℃. The transference of orange aroma into milk was significant, because the contamination of the milk was confirmed by subjective sensory evaluation. This study suggests the possibility of transfer of aroma compounds through paper containers to other beverages.

Dose-dependent changes in the levels of free and peptide forms of hydroxyproline in human plasma after collagen hydrolysate ingestion.

The presence of hydroxyproline (Hyp)-containing peptides in human blood after collagen hydrolysate ingestion is believed to exert beneficial effects on human health. To estimate the effective beneficial dose of these peptides, we examined the relationship between ingested dose and food-derived Hyp levels in human plasma. Healthy volunteers (n=4) ingested 30.8, 153.8 and 384.6 mg per kg body weight of collagen hydrolysate. The average plasma concentration of Hyp-containing peptides was dose-dependent, reaching maximum levels of 6.43, 20.17 and 32.84 nmol/ml following ingestion of 30.8, 153.8 and 384.6-mg doses of collagen hydrolysate, respectively. Ingesting over 153.8 mg of collagen hydrolysate significantly increased the average concentrations of the free and peptide forms of Hyp in plasma. The Hyp absorption limit was not reached with ingestion of as much as 384.6 mg of collagen hydrolysate. These finding suggest that ingestion of less than 30.8 mg of collagen hydrolysate is not effective for health benefits.

Effects of aliphatic aldehydes on the growth and patulin production of Penicillium expansum in apple juice.

The effects of 16 aliphatic aldehydes with 3-10 carbons on the growth and patulin production of Penicillium expansum were examined. When P. expansum spores were inoculated into apple juice broth, some alkenals, including 2-propenal, (E)-2-butenal, (E)-2-pentenal, and (E)-2-hexenal, inhibited fungal growth and patulin production. Their minimal inhibitory concentrations were 5, 50, 80, and 80 µg/mL respectively. Vital staining indicated that these alkenals killed mycelia within 4 h. Treatment of the spores with these aldehydes also resulted in rapid loss of germination ability, within 0.5-2 d. On the other hand, aliphatic aldehydes with 8-10 carbons significantly enhanced patulin production without affecting fungal growth: 300 µg/mL of octanal and 100 µg/mL of (E)-2-octenal increased the patulin concentrations in the culture broth by as much as 8.6- and 7.8-fold as compared to that of the control culture respectively. The expression of the genes involved in patulin biosynthesis in P. expansum was investigated in mycelia cultured in apple juice broth containing 300 µg/mL of octanal for 3.5, 5, and 7 d. Transcription of the msas gene, encoding 6-methylsalicylic acid synthase, which catalyzed the first step in the patulin biosynthetic pathway was remarkably high in the 3.5-d and 5-d-old cultures as compared with the control. However, octanal did not any increase the transcription of the msas in the 7-d-old culture or that of the other two genes, IDH and the peab1, in culture. Thus the enhanced patulin accumulation with supplementation with these aldehydes is attributable to the increased amount of the msas transcript.

[Multiresidue method for pesticides and veterinary drugs in bovine milk using GC/MS and LC/MS/MS].

A simple, sensitive and selective method with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) has been developed to detect 342 pesticides and veterinary drugs contaminating bovine milk at the maximum residue limits (MRLs) defined in the "positive list system". Sample preparation was performed by extracting the analytes with acetonitrile, followed by salting-out with sodium chloride. For some pesticides, the extract was further cleaned up by n-hexane partitioning and PSA cartridge column chromatography. GC/MS-EI or -NCI was used to determine pesticide residues, while LC/MS/MS-ESI was applicable to the determination of pesticide and veterinary drug residues. The variation of the recoveries of these drugs at MRL was relatively wide; however the relative standard deviations of the recovery of each drug were within 28%, suggesting that the present method is good enough for use as a screening test for contaminants at the MRLs. These results show that this method is useful for multiresidue analysis of numerous pesticides and veterinary drugs in bovine milk.

Effect of organic suspended solids and their sedimentation on the surrounding sea area.

A study of sediment contamination was made in one of the 23 specific designated important ports in Japan, the inner part of which had been used as wood pool. The study focused on the relationship between contaminants and organic matter in terms of ignition loss and the impact of the wood pool on the port area. Organic matter exists in the form of suspended solids and deposits. Sediment samples were taken from the mouths of the rivers feeding into Shimizu Port, from the wood pool and from Shimizu Port. Samples within Shimizu Port showed that as the ignition loss decreased with distance from the wood pool, other properties including the concentrations of trace metals, ignition loss and sulfide content also decreased with the distance. In conclusion, Shimizu Port seems to function as a buffer area between the wood pool and Suruga Bay.

Synthesis and anti-tumor activity of a fluorinated analog of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), 9alpha-fluoromedroxyprogesterone acetate (FMPA).

We synthesized 9alpha-fluoromedroxyprogesterone acetate (FMPA) in order to test whether it is a more potent anti-angiogenic agent than medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), which has been widely used as a therapeutic agent for breast and endometrium cancers. FMPA was previously synthesized in 10 steps (total yield: 1%). An efficient synthesis of FMPA has been achieved in 6 steps (total yield: 12%). We examined the anti-tumor effect of FMPA, complexed with dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CyD), on rat mammary carcinomas induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). FMPA showed great anti-tumor effect on DMBA-induced rat mammary carcinomas.

Isolation and identification of a new bifidogenic growth stimulator produced by Propionibacterium freudenreichii ET-3.

We have found a new growth stimulator for bifidobacteria in the culture broth of Propionibacterium freudenreichii ET-3. The bifidogenic growth stimulator (BGS) was purified by Diaion HP-20 column chromatography and preparative HPLC. Spectroscopic methods including 1H-NMR, UV, and LC-ESI-MS experiments indicated that the chemical structure of the bifidogenic growth stimulator was 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (DHNA). Approximately 10 mg/L of DHNA was found to be produced in the culture broth of P. freudenreichii ET-3.