Growth-Promoting Factors for Lactobacillus bifidus var. pennsylvanicus Produced by the Amino-Carbonyl Reaction of l-Lysine and d-Glucose

l-Lysine monohydrochloride and d-glucose were allowed to react in a bicarbonate buffer of pH 8.8 under refluxing. The reaction mixture was then chromatographed on a thin-layer plate of Kiesel Gel using n-propanol ethyl-acetate water 25% aqueous ammonia (6: 1: 2: 1 v/v) as a developing agent. Elson-Morgan-reactive spots on the chromatogram were eluted individually, and each of the eluates was incubated with L. bifidus var. pennsylvanicus in a defined medium. A certain fraction on the chromatogram showed remarkably promoting effect on both the acid productivity and the growth of the organism. And such effect of the fraction was much stronger than that of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine which had been known as a “Bifidus Factor”     

Changes in Flavor Components of Onion by γ-Irradiation

The effect of γ-irradiation on the flavor of Onions (Senshu Yellow) associated with sprout-inhibition has been investigated. The relative amounts of propionaldehyde, n-propyl mercaptan and di-n-propyl disulfide in onions stored for 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 days, respectively, after irradiation were estimated by measurement of peak areas of gas chromatograms. It was observed that the lachrymatory character and the pungent flavor had been decreased by γ-irradiation (remarkably at 70 and 700 Krads). In this connection, the amounts of propionaldehyde and di-n-propyl disulfide were decreased with increasing radiation dose and storage period at room temperature (20 to 25°C) and at low temperature (4°C). Moreover, it was observed that the sweetness had been decreased by γ-irradiation, but the amount of n-propyl mercaptan was increased with radiation dose and storage period. Therefore it seems that there is no correlation between the sweetness of onion and the amount of n-propyl mercaptan.     

l-Acylimidazoles with Broad-spectrum Fungicidal Activity

The membrane lipids of six higher plants that differ in salt tolerance were analyzed and compared. The root lipids increased in a ratio of glycolipid/phospholipid with increasing salt- tolerance. A similar increase in the ratio was observed with increasing external salinity when halophytic orach and salt-sensitive cucumber were exposed to varying salinity, although the latter plant was limited to only a little increase. Measurements of ion-transport rates with artificial lipid membranes revealed that the root lipids from a salt-resistant plant formed a more permeable membrane than those from a salt-sensitive species. It was found that the membrane permeability was related to the glycolipid/phospholipid ratio in the membrane lipids, where the glycolipids were stimulative and the phospholipids were repressive for ion-flow. These different effects of the two lipid classes may be attributed to their molecular species and head groups.     

The Release of Carbohydrate Rich Component from Ovomucin Gel during Storage

The fractionation pattern of OMG₀, ovomucin gel(B) in fresh egg white, by density gradient column electrophoresis showed two peaks. Each peak was shown to migrate as a single component, with a mobility of either the fast or slow moving component of ovomucin gel(B). Each peak was named as F-component and S-component.

Carbohydrate and sulfate contents of F-component were much higher than these of S-component. The carbohydrate content of F-component and S-component was found to be about 50 and 15 percents of dry matter, respectively. Serine and threonine contents in F-component were much higher than those in S-component.

The fractionation pattern of OMG₂₀, ovomucin gel(B) in egg white stored for 20 days at 30°C, by density gradient electrophoresis showed only one peak which corresponded to S-component, and that of OMS₂₀, ovomucin sol (B) in egg white stored for 20 days at 30°C, showed two peaks which corresponded to F- and S-component.

Ability of F-component to interact with lysozyme was greater than that of S-component.     

Syntheses of Unsaturated Lactones

6-Pentyl-α-pyrone, 6-propyl-α-pyrone and 4-decenoic acid-δ-lactone were prepared, and the nature of their flavors was investigated. Unsaturated lactones having the best flavorous nature as a butter or butter cake flavor among the lactones having double bond at various site, were 2-ene-δ-lactones which have a double bond at the α-position of the lactone ring and α-pyrones which have two double bonds at the α- and γ-positions. The flavor of 4-deceno-δ-lactone which has a double bond at the γ-position was the worst of them.     

Phenological traits of the mangrove Rhizophora stylosa Griff. at the northern limit of its biogeographical distribution

The vegetative and reproductive phenology of the subtropical mangrove species Rhizophora stylosa was investigated at Manko Wetland, Okinawa Island, Japan. We assessed phenology using litterfall data over four years. Leaf and stipule litterfall occurred throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, W, revealed that the monthly changes in leaf and stipule litterfall were strongly and significantly concordant among years. Leaf litterfall was significantly correlated with monthly maximum wind speed and monthly day length, and stipule litterfall was significantly correlated with monthly mean air temperature and relative humidity. Branch litterfall showed no clear monthly pattern and correlated well with monthly maximum wind speed. Mean total litterfall was 11.2 Mg ha^?1 year^?1, with the largest component being vegetative organs (78.7 %). Flower, fruit, and propagule litterfall were all highest in summer and lowest in winter. The W values revealed that most reproductive organs in litterfall had significant monthly trends. Flower and fruit litterfall were significantly correlated with monthly day length and monthly mean air temperature, respectively. The average development periods from flower buds to flowers, fruits, and mature propagules were approximately 2–3 months, 4–5 months, and 11–12 months, respectively. Except for branches, all vegetative and reproductive components of litterfall had approximately one year cycles.     

Normal Lung Quantification in Usual Interstitial Pneumonia Pattern: The Impact of Threshold-based Volumetric CT Analysis for the Staging of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

BackgroundAlthough several computer-aided computed tomography (CT) analysis methods have been reported to objectively assess the disease severity and progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), it is unclear which method is most practical. A universal severity classification system has not yet been adopted for IPF.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to test the correlation between quantitative-CT indices and lung physiology variables and to determine the ability of such indices to predict disease severity in IPF.MethodsA total of 27 IPF patients showing radiological UIP pattern on high-resolution (HR) CT were retrospectively enrolled. Staging of IPF was performed according to two classification systems: the Japanese and GAP (gender, age, and physiology) staging systems. CT images were assessed using a commercially available CT imaging analysis workstation, and the whole-lung mean CT value (MCT), the normally attenuated lung volume as defined from −950 HU to −701 Hounsfield unit (NL), the volume of the whole lung (WL), and the percentage of NL to WL (NL%), were calculated.ResultsCT indices (MCT, WL, and NL) closely correlated with lung physiology variables. Among them, NL strongly correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = 0.92, P <0.0001). NL% showed a large area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting patients in the moderate or advanced stages of IPF. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that NL% is significantly more useful than the percentages of predicted FVC and predicted diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (Japanese stage II/III/IV [odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.48 to 0.92; P < 0.01]; III/IV [odds ratio. 0.80; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.96; P < 0.01]; GAP stage II/III [odds ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.97; P < 0.05]).ConclusionThe measurement of NL% by threshold-based volumetric CT analysis may help improve IPF staging.