Gel-Forming Ability of Rohu as Affected by Egg White Powder Addition

The gel-forming ability of rohu (Labeo rohita) mince with and without egg white powder (EW) was investigated. Gel from washed mince (washed gel) was prepared under two setting conditions: kamaboko (40°C) and modori (60°C). The gel-forming ability of kamaboko and modori gels was improved by the addition of EW at 2%. The autolytic inhibition of kamaboko gel was obtained in gel added with 2% EW, and 1% EW of modori gel. No marked change was observed in the TCA-soluble peptide content of either gel with the addition of EW above 1%. No effect on the whiteness of both gels was shown after the addition of EW. The addition of EW exhibited smaller cavities and a more compact fibrous network in microstructure.

Switching Study of Tafluprost/Timolol Fixed-Combination Ophthalmic Solution, Following Unfixed Combination of Tafluprost Ophthalmic Solution 0.0015% and Timolol Ophthalmic Gel-Forming Solution 0.5%

Purpose: Fixed-combination medication to treat glaucoma can reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) without negative effects of concomitant medication. Tafluprost/timolol fixed-combination ophthalmic solution (TTFC) has been reported to show similar effectiveness in lowering IOP, compared with concomitant use of its component drugs, tafluprost and timolol. However, the difference in IOP-lowering effects between TTFC and concomitant use of tafluprost and gel-forming timolol is unknown. Hence, we conducted this switching study from tafluprost and gel-forming timolol to TTFC in glaucoma patients undergoing multi-drug therapy. Design: Multi-center, open-label, interventional clinical study. Methods: Twenty-eight patients (28 eyes;safety analysis set) with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, who had completed the 4-week-concomitant phase of tafluprost and gel-forming timolol, were treated for 8 weeks with TTFC. IOP, adherence, ocular surface safety, and the usability of ophthalmic solution were compared before and after switching. This study was approved by the ethics committees of Kitasato University Hospital and all other study sites. All patients provided written informed consent to participate. Results: IOP at 8 weeks after switching was significantly lower than before switching (P = 0.0001) in the efficacy analysis set (n = 24). The self-reported adherence rate remained high after switching;moreover, there was no meaningful change in ocular surface safety. Patient questionnaires regarding usability of medication revealed that 85.7% of patients preferred their instillation prescription after switching, including TTFC. Among the safety analysis set (n = 28), no adverse events were reported in relation to the study drug. Conclusion: TTFC showed greater IOP reduction than concomitant therapy. Thus, TTFC may be a better option in glaucoma patients than concomitant therapy.

Relationships between mucinous gastric carcinoma, MUC2 expression and survival

AIM:To investigate the expression of the four secreted gel-forming mucins(MUC2,MUCSAC,MUCSB and MUC6)in a series of gastric carcinomas,classified according Laurén's,Mulligan's,WHO and Goseki's classifications,with special attention to all the different components(major and minor)present in tumors and to follow up clinical data.METHODS:Expression of MUC2,MUC5AC,MUC5B and MUC6 was investigated using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.RESULTS:Expression of secreted gel-forming mucins in gastric carcinoma was particularly complex,each mucin being not restricted to any histopathological type even considering all components(major and minor)present in a given tumor.There was a worst survival in patients with a higher content of mucus(GosekiⅡorⅣ)and high positive MUC2 expression.CONCLUSION:Complexity of mucin gene expression patterns in gastric cancer may reflect a precise state of differentiation at the cell level not recognized in used morphologic classification systems.High expression of MUC2 was nevertheless associated with mucinous subtype of the WHO classification and with groupⅡof Goseki's classification identified by the major component of a particular tumor.The quantity and quality of mucus were related to survival.

Development of Intermediate Foodstuff Derived from Freshwater Fish in China

According to the three-dimensional contour maps showing the gel-forming properties of surimi derived from freshwater fish, 8 species of surimi were classified into two types. The-valley type surimi （silver carp, big-head carp, Chinese snake head and blunt snout bream） shows easy setting, low resistance to gel collapse, high enhancement ability with two-step heating, and narrow optimum heating temperature and time area, which are of the same characteristics as the walleye pollack surimi. In contrast, the Plateau type surimi （tilapia, grass carp, mud carp and common carp） exhibits difficult setting, high resistance to gel collapse, no enhancement ability with two-step heating, and wide optimum heating temperature and time area. There are seasonal changes of gelling properties of silver carp surimi, and the setting ability of surimi gel is higher in winter and lower in summer. The marine fish meat gels and the freshwater fish meat gels have the same acceptability for inland Chinese according to the sensory evaluation results. A slight increase in sensory scorings of kamaboko gels occurred when the extract from walleye pollack muscle was added, especially in the odor scoring of silver carp kamaboko gels.