Protection of Kyo-yasai (heirloom vegetables in Kyoto) from extinction: a case of Sabaka-daikon (Japan's heirloom white radish, Raphanus sativus) in Maizuru, Japan

As a general background, Sabaka-daikon, one of the heirloom vegetables in Kyoto, ceased its commercial cultivation in the late 1960s at north Kyoto, leading to an extinction crisis. We review the activities of the local residents to revive the commercial cultivation of Sabaka-daikon from 2010. We also discuss the significance of the information on the health benefits of local foods in motivating local residents to protect local foods from extinction. For methodology, through field interviews of administrative members, venders, and farmers in Maizuru city, we explore reasons for the success in reviving a local heirloom vegetable, Sabaka-daikon. We also apply chemical analysis to determine individual differences in the anticarcinogenic (cancer preventive) compound, 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate, in Sabaka-daikon to guarantee its added health benefits. As a result, the primary factors for the revival of Sabaka-daikon in Maizuru city include the passion of farmers, measures undertaken by the local administration, and the marketing strategies of venders. The secondary factor is the fact that one primary factor (passion of farmers) coincides on a time axis with the other two factors (administrative measures and marketing strategies of venders). Wide individual differences in the anticarcinogenic compound, 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate, were observed, likely due to the variable genome of Sabaka-daikon. In conclusion, the results imply that the information on the health benefits of daikon contribute to motivating the local residents (i.e., passion of farmers) in protecting Sabaka-daikon from extinction. Revival of this heirloom vegetable would contribute to the diversification of local foods, and to the preservation of those foods and the cooking knowledge for future generations. As Sabaka-daikon variety has some races in variation of 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate production, a race with a fixed amount of 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate should be established to guarantee added health benefits of Sabaka-daikon

The effect of Katsura-uri (Japanese pickling melon, Cucumis melo var. conomon) and its derived ingredient methylthioacetic acid on energy metabolism during aerobic exercise

[Purpose] We investigated the effect of Katsura-uri (Japanese pickling melon; Cucumis melo var. conomon) on energy metabolism during exercise in human and animal studies. Methods Eight healthy men (mean age, 21.4 ± 0.7 years) participated in a single-blind, crossover study. Thirty minutes after ingesting the Katsura-uri drink or placebo drink, they exercised on a cycle ergometer at 40% maximal heart rate for 30 min. Respiratory gas analysis was performed during exercise to examine oxygen consumption and substrate utilization. Blood biochemical parameters were evaluated during exercise. In the animal study, the effect of methylthioacetic acid (MTA), a Katsura-uri derived component was examined in mice. Immediately after running at 25 m/min for 30 min, biochemical parameters in the hind limb muscle and blood of mice were measured. [Results] Oxygen consumption during exercise was higher in the Katsura-uri condition (19.8 ± 3.5 mL/kg/min) than the placebo condition (18.6 ± 3.0 mL/kg/min) (P < 0.05). The elevation of blood lactate was lower in the Katsura-uri condition (1.7 ± 0.4 mM) than the placebo condition (2.2 ± 0.6 mM) 15 min after beginning exercise (P < 0.05). There was a higher positive correlation between lactate concentration and carbohydrate oxidation during exercise in the Katsura-uri condition (R2 = 0.86) compared to the placebo condition (R2 = 0.47). The decrease in intermuscular pH and the increase in blood lactate following exercise were prevented by MTA supplementation (250 ppm) with significant differences in the MTA-supplemented group compared to the control group. [Conclusions] These results suggest that the ingestion of Katsura-uri and/or MTA improves glucose metabolism and acidification in skeletal muscles during exercise in human and animal studies

Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty for Takayasu Arteritis and Peripheral Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Mimicking Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) has been reported to be effective and safe to an acceptable level in patients with distal-type, inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), resulting in improved long-term survival. However, evidenced treatment options and strategy including medical therapy of antithrombotic therapy, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and pulmonary hypertension (PH)-specific therapies are scarce in patients with significant PH and right heart failure associated with Takayasu arteritis and peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis, both of which mimic CTEPH. Moreover, there has been still concern on safety and lack of established methodology in performing BPA for these conditions. In this report, we would like to review recent publications including several case reports and discuss the efficacy, safety, and suitable methods of BPA in this population

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty under awake veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a patient with class III obesity with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension complicated with multiple serious comorbidities

Abstract Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a chronic disease that can rapidly deteriorate into circulatory collapse when complicated by comorbidities. We herein describe a case involving a 43‐year‐old woman with class III obesity (body mass index of 63 kg/m2) and severe CTEPH associated with total occlusion of the left main pulmonary artery who subsequently developed circulatory collapse along with multiple comorbidities, including acute kidney injury, pulmonary tuberculosis, and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome. The patient was successfully treated with two sessions of rescue balloon pulmonary angioplasty with veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V‐A ECMO) support under local anesthesia without sedation, at cannulation and during the V‐A ECMO run, to avoid invasive mechanical ventilation. This case suggests the potential usefulness of rescue balloon pulmonary angioplasty under awake V‐A ECMO support for rapidly deteriorating, inoperable CTEPH in a patient with class III obesity complicated with multiple comorbidities

A new strategy to protect Katsura-uri (Japan's heirloom pickling melon, Cucumis melo var. conomon) from extinction

Background: Katsura-uri (Cucumis melo var. conomon), an heirloom vegetable cultivated in Kyoto, Japan is at the risk of extinction. Japanese food culture has traditionally used immature and midripened fruit in the preparation of pickles, the consumer demand of which has markedly decreased. A new strategy was adopted for Katsura-uri, aimed at increasing its inclusion in the present diet habit (e.g., Katsura-uri juice as a functional drink to prevent obesity and diabetes). Methods: Chemical analysis was performed to determine sugar profiles of fully ripened Katsura-uri fruits that uniquely possess muskmelon-like fragrance. In the questionnaire-based sensory evaluation, palatability was compared among the fruit juices without sweeteners and those with sugar or zero-calorie sweetener. Results: Chemical analysis results showed that the fully ripened Katsura-uri fruit had significantly lower levels of fructose, glucose, and sucrose (low-calories and lack of sweetness) than muskmelon fruits. In the questionnaire-based sensory evaluation, zero-calorie sweetener dramatically improved the palatability of the unprocessed fruit juice without altering its low-calorie properties and muskmelon-like fragrance. Conclusion: This demonstrated a new strategy to protect this heirloom vegetable from extinction by adding a new function that could increase its demand as a low-calorie fruit in the present diet habit for human health

Preparation of contemporary dishes and a functional drink using Japan's heirloom vegetable, Katsura-uri

Background: The fruit of Katsura-uri, traditionally used in the preparation of pickles in Japan, is facing an extinction crisis. In addition to the traditional dishes prepared from Katsura-uri, alternative dishes using the fruit should be devised to increase consumer demands for the protection of the heirloom vegetable. We attempted designing new Katsura-uri contemporary dishes and assessed the application of Katsura-uri juice as a functional drink without raising blood glucose levels. Methods: Cooking experiments were conducted with Katsura-uri in its ripening stages, based on the advice from a licensed chef and a registered dietitian in Japan. In the questionnaire-based sensory evaluation, consumer acceptability of Katsura-uri juice was assessed. The blood glucose levels were measured after healthy volunteers consumed the juice. Results: We demonstrated six new Katsura-uri dishes. In the questionnaire-based sensory evaluation of Katsura-uri juice, the assessment values for taste and fragrance were high. In human trials, the levels of incremental area under the curve and glucose spike were significantly lower after consumption of Katsura-uri juice, as compared to those after consumption of muskmelon juice. Conclusion: Katsura-uri-containing contemporary dishes and juice would help continue the consumption of the vegetable. Based on the results of the questionnaire, we also concluded that the use of Katsura-uri as a functional drink without raising blood glucose levels is superior to its use as contemporary dishes. These findings provide useful strategies to protect Katsura-uri from extinction