Simultaneous Content Determination of Mono-, Di-, and Fructo-oligosaccharides in Citrus Fruit Juices Using an FTIR-PLS Method Based on Selected Absorption Bands.

A quantification method was developed to determine the sugar components, either following addition or enzymatic treatment, in citrus fruit juices containing additional fructo-oligosaccharides using midinfrared spectroscopy. For the quantification, we compared the results obtained by applying the simultaneous equation method, which uses very little wavenumber information, and the partial least squares (PLS) regression method, which requires a lot of wavenumber information. In order to prevent overfitting in the PLS method, we concentrated on reducing the amount of spectral data used in the analysis. The corresponding FTIR-PLS method led to an accurate quantification of the sugar contents, even in enzymatically treated orange juices with complicated compositions. The spectral data used for model calibration were significantly reduced by focusing on the absorption and assignment information of the sugar components. The RMSEs of Glc, Fru, Suc, GF2, and GF3 in enzyme-treated orange juice before and after spectral data reduction were 0.50, 0.46, 0.61, 0.74, and 0.61 g/L and 0.51, 0.49, 0.73, 0.86, and 0.61 g/L, respectively. The developed method could be easily implemented for practical applications, using a simple measuring instrument since only absorption information at the limited absorption bands is required.

Bubble cascade may form not only in stout beers.

In a glass of stout beer, a very large number of small dispersed bubbles form a texture motion of a bubble swarm moving downwards. Such a cascading motion is caused by a gravity-driven hydrodynamic instability and depends on the interbubble distance. To estimate these two corresponding indicators, an experimentally measured velocity profile is required and, thus, is obtained a posteriori. However, it is unknown why the bubble cascade is observed only in stout beer with nitrogen, such as Guinness beer. To address this question via a priori estimation, here, we develop a mathematical continuum model of film flow in bubbly liquid, uncovering the essential dynamics among many physical processes occurring simultaneously in a glass. To validate the proposed model, we perform a numerical simulation of the distribution of massless Lagrangian particles in an inclined container. We investigate the effects of particle concentration, inclination angle, particle diameter, and container size on the cascading film flow. The results reveal that the motion and waviness of clear-fluid film can be successfully estimated a priori to experiments or simulations. Moreover, it is found that the continuum behavior of particles in the film flow is analogous to the continuum description of rarefied gas dynamics. These findings explain how the cascading bubbles in a pint glass of stout beer satisfy the continuum assumption and suggest a general condition for the onset of the cascade, for instance, a 200-l drum for carbonated water.

A rare case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach and a review of the 56 cases reported in Japan.

We report an extremely rare case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach. A 69-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a 2-month history of dysphagia and tarry stools. Endoscopic examination revealed a cauliflower-shaped protruding mass along the lesser curvature of the gastric cardia. Biopsy of the lesion revealed squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach. Computed tomography revealed a thickened stomach wall and a mass protruding into the gastric lumen. Total gastrectomy with splenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, and Roux-en-Y reconstruction was performed, together with a lower thoracic esophagectomy via a left thoracotomy. Histopathological examination of the specimen revealed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach. Postoperative follow-up was uneventful for the first 18 months. However, multiple liver metastases and para-aortic lymph node metastasis developed subsequently. Despite systemic combination chemotherapy, the patient died because of progression of the recurrent tumors. Here, we review the characteristics of 56 cases of gastric squamous cell carcinoma reported in Japan.

Quercetin-3-O-glucuronide induces ABCA1 expression by LXRα activation in murine macrophages.

Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) removes excess cholesterol from macrophages to prevent atherosclerosis. ATP-binding cassette, subfamily A, member 1 (ABCA1) is a crucial cholesterol transporter involved in RCT to produce high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLC), and is transcriptionally regulated by liver X receptor alpha (LXRα), a nuclear receptor. Quercetin is a widely distributed flavonoid in edible plants which prevented atherosclerosis in an animal model. We found that quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (Q3GA), a major quercetin metabolite after absorption from the digestive tract, enhanced ABCA1 expression, in vitro, via LXRα in macrophages. In addition, leaf extracts of a traditional Asian edible plant, Nelumbo nucifera (NNE), which contained abundant amounts of quercetin glycosides, significantly elevated plasma HDLC in mice. We are the first to present experimental evidence that Q3GA induced ABCA1 in macrophages, and to provide an alternative explanation to previous studies on arteriosclerosis prevention by quercetin.

[A case of advanced esophageal carcinoma with nephrotic syndrome completely responding to chemotherapy of docetaxel, nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil].

A 78-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of dysphagia. He had been diagnosed as nephritic syndrome at 30 years of age and had been treated with prednisolone 10 mg/day. Blood examination revealed renal dysfunction; BUN 25 mg/dL, Cr 1. 9 mg/dL, and glomerular filtration rate(GFR)47. 4 mL/min. Endoscopy showed a type 2 tumor at the middle thoracic esophagus, and the biopsy specimen revealed moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma pathologically. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen showed no metastases at distant regions and lymph nodes. Clinical staging was Stage II (cT2cN0cM0). Because of old age and renal function, we chose chemotherapy using docetaxel, nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil. The adverse event was grade 2 in leucopenia and grade 1 in inappetence, but the renal function did not progress. Repeated endoscopic examinations after chemotherapy revealed that the esophageal cancer was significantly reduced in size, and no cancer cells were pathologically detected by endoscopic biopsy, resulting in a complete response(CR). This chemotherapy of docetaxel, nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil might be effective and tolerable for patients with renal dys- function due to nephritic syndrome.

[A successful resected case of far-advanced cancer at the esophagogastric junction by chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel, nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil].

The patient, a 73-year-old male, was admitted to our hospital because of dysphagia. A far-advanced cancer was diagnosed at the esophagogastric junction by upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination. Pathological biopsy examinations revealed poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen showed invasion to the diaphragm. Clinical Stage was IV in an unresectable far-advanced tumor. He received radiation therapy (40 Gy/total, 2 Gy/day×20 times) in combination with chemotherapy using docetaxel (40 mg/m², day 1), nedaplatin (10mg/body, days 1-5) and 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/body, days 1-5). After this combination chemoradiation therapy (CRT), macroscopic examinations showed significant reductions in the size of tumor, leading a partial response according to the RECIST guidelines. He underwent total gastrectomy, partial resection of the lower esophagus via left thoracotomy, and Roux-en Y reconstruction with jejunostomy. Pathological examination of the resected specimens revealed Stage IV (T3N2P1CY0). The postoperative course was uneventful. He was treated on an outpatient basis without adjuvant therapy, and died 6 months after the operation by liver, spleen and lymph node metastases.

[A case of double advanced cancer with esophageal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma responding completely to combination chemotherapy of docetaxel/5-fluorouracil and nedaplatin with radiation].

A 69-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of dysphagia. The diagnosis was double cancer with hypopharyngeal and esophageal carcinoma from upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination. Pathological examinations of the double cancer revealed moderately-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Computed tomography(CT)of the neck and abdomen showed metastases of the right neck and cardiac lymph nodes. Clinical stagings of the double cancer were Stage III (T1, N1, M0)in hypopharyngeal carcinoma and Stage III (T3, N1, M0)in esophageal carcinoma, respectively. He received radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy using docetaxel(DOC), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)and nedaplatin(CDGP). After this combination chemoradiation therapy(CRT), the adverse event was grade 2 in leucopenia and grade 2 in gastrointestinal toxicity. Repeated macroscopic and histological examinations after CRT revealed disappearance of the hypopharyngeal and advanced esophageal carcinoma with lymph node metastasis, leading to a complete response(CR). He had maintained CR for the 20 months since undergoing CRT. This combination chemotherapy of DOC, 5-FU and CDGP with radiation may well be effective and tolerable for patients with double cancer of hypopharyngeal and esophageal carcinoma.

[A case of ascending colon cancer with local recurrence responding completely to alternating modified-FOLFOX6 and FOLFIRI regimens(modified-FIREFOX regimen)].

A 58-year-old woman underwent right hemicolectomy with lymph node dissection(D2)for advanced ascending colon cancer which pathological examinations revealed to be moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma. CEA and CA19-9 levels increased 6 months after the operation. She started adjuvant chemotherapy with oral administration of UFT-E(400 mg/day), but CEA and CA19-9 levels continued to elevate. However, a recurrent tumor was not detected by computed tomography(CT)and endoscopic examinations. A local recurrence in the right lateral abdominal wall was confirmed by PET-CT examination. We then conducted modified-FOLFOX6/FOLFIRI alternating regimen(modified- FIREFOX regimen). After this therapy, repeated PET-CT showed that the abnormal FDG-uptake concentration had disappeared, leading to a complete response(CR). The adverse event was grade 3 in leucopenia and grade 2 in gastrointestinal toxicity. She had maintained CR for the 12 months since undergoing chemotherapy. CEA and CA19-9 levels reduced to the normal range. We report this case with some review of the literature.

Dietary supplementation with lactic acid bacteria attenuates the development of atopic-dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice in a strain-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND: Dietary supplementation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is a potential approach to the prevention and manipulation of allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the influence of different bacterial strains and their immunomodulating capacities is still largely unknown. METHODS: AD-like skin lesions were induced by sensitization to and repeated challenges with picrylchloride in the Th2-skewed NC/Nga mouse strain. The effects of LAB supplementation were assessed over time by monitoring clinical scores and plasma IgE levels. In some cases, mast cell infiltration, cutaneous hypersensitivity responses and cytokine mRNA expression in auricles were also examined. Additionally, cytokine production in vitro and cytokine mRNA accumulation in major lymphoid tissues were measured, comparing Lactobacillus paracasei KW3110 with L. rhamnosus GG (LGG). RESULTS: Supplementation with KW3110 significantly reduced the development of AD-like skin lesions, accompanied by less mast cell infiltration and lower plasma IgE levels. KW3110 also suppressed immediate hypersensitivity reactions and IL-4 mRNA expression in the auricles. These preventive effects sustained when supplementation was terminated; moreover, inhibitory effects were also observed even when supplementation was initiated after the onset of symptoms. In accordance with its effects on IL-12 and IL-4 production in vitro, KW3110 prevented the emergence of clinical symptoms more effectively than LGG in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with KW3110 significantly attenuated the onset and exacerbation of AD-like symptoms in NC/Nga mice. The effects were more prominent than those obtained with LGG, suggesting the importance of differences between LAB strains and their immunomodulating capacity.

The anti-allergic effects of lactic acid bacteria are strain dependent and mediated by effects on both Th1/Th2 cytokine expression and balance.

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in the immune-stimulating effect and in particular, the anti-allergic effect, of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). However, no comprehensive studies have been done that compare the immune-stimulating potential of LAB strains. METHODS: The in vitro immune-stimulating effects on Th1/Th2 balance of more than 100 LAB strains were compared in splenocytes from ovalbumin-sensitized Th2-polarized mice. The in vivo anti-allergic ability of strain KW3110 was studied in the Th2-polarized model by detecting serum IgE concentration, Th1/Th2 cytokine secretion from splenocytes, and the expression of co-stimulatory molecules on macrophages. RESULTS: In vitro studies from Th2-polarized splenocytes, using IL-12 as a Th1 parameter and IL-4 secretion as a Th2 parameter revealed a wide variety of IL-12-inducing and IL-4-repressing activities, depending on the strain of LAB, not depending on the species. However, evaluation of individual strains in vivo revealed that after exposure to Lactobacillus paracasei KW3110 strain, the serum IgE elevation elicited by repeated OVA injection of mice was strongly inhibited. Cytokine secretion from splenocytes 20 weeks after KW3110 administration showed increased IL-12 and decreased IL-4 expression. Both CD40 and B7-1 expression on macrophages was upregulated by administration of KW3110. CONCLUSIONS: Improving the consequences of the Th1/Th2 imbalance by administration of LAB was dependent upon the LAB strain rather than the LAB species. Oral KW3110 administration in the mouse allergy model directed the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1 through the maturation of APCs and inhibition of serum IgE elevation.