• Title/Summary/Keyword: Red koji

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Present status of Kochujang, a fermented hot pepper soybean paste, and its globalization (고추장 산업의 현황과 세계화 제안)

  • Shin, Dong-Hwa
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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    • 2005.09a
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    • pp.1-23
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    • 2005
  • Kochujang, a fermented hot pepper soybean paste, is a spicy condiment mixed with red pepper, boiled rice and mold fermented soybean (as koji) which is then fermented for several months. It has unique taste of hot, sweet, salty and savory flavor by all mixed ingredients by fermentation, and is one of most famous Korean traditional foods. The scale of the kochujang industry is about 200 billion won in Korea, and 7.8 million dollars and 4,500 tons in exports. Although it is still not a large part of the food industry in Korea, the scale of soy products will increase because it is a major subsidiary food in our dietary life and has grown from a homemade to a mass produced product. Kochujang has the largest market in the scale of sales among fermented soybean products and has merit because of its domestic base and its ability to grow to an international market due to its unique fermented taste. In order to make kochujang an international food, it Is necessary to study the scientific development of kochujang and the diversity of products using kochujang that are fitted to the taste of people around the world. In addition, participation in various exhibitions and food fairs supported by the government should help to promote kochujang throughout the world. In addition, these should be actively supported by the related businesses. Red pepper, a major ingredient in kochujang, has been widely studied and shown to have a positive effect on the reduction of fat, on the strengthening of the immune system, and on active biological functions. A fermented spice like kochujang has been shown to be beneficial for the body due to the process of fermentation rather than from the red pepper itself. If we prove the various biological functions of kochujang with a particular taste and flavor, it will energize a new market. It is necessary for business to make a continuous effort supported fly the scientific world and by government policy, in order to introduce this traditional food to the world. In the present day, the kochujang market is now on a firm basis and has been activated in the field of its study. Now, it is possible to achieve the birth of a secondary international market by concentrating on these efforts.

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Brewing Method and Composition of Traditional Kochuzang (Red Pepper Paste) in Junrabook-do Area (전라북도지방(全羅北道地方) 전통(傳統)고추장의 제법조사(製法調査)와 성분(成分))

  • Cho, Han-Ok;Kim, Jong-Goon;Lee, Hyne-Ja;Kang, Joo-Hoon;Lee, Taik-Soo
    • Applied Biological Chemistry
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    • v.24 no.1
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    • pp.21-28
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    • 1981
  • Brewing method and quality of 15 samples of traditional Kochuzang in Junrabook-do area were investigated. Average combination ratio of glutinous rice: Meju (soybean Koji): red pepper powder was 2 : 0.7 : 1.1. In order to improve the taste of Kochuzang, some amount of natural soysauce was added in the Kochuzang at early stage of fermentation. Average content of sodium chloride was 7.32%; amino nitrogen, 123.3%; total sugar, 31.9%; reducing sugar, 19.4%; ethyl alcohol, 1.13% and the activity of acid protease was 0.07; liquefying amylase, 9.67 and saccharogenic amylase was 15.82. Five samples were selected as excellent Kochuzang through sensory evaluation. These samples were similarly strong in hot and sweet taste with alcoholic flavor, glossy surface and brownish red color.

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Microbiological and Enzymological Studies on Takju Brewing (탁주(濁酒) 양조(釀造)에 관(關)한 미생물학적(微生物學的) 및 효소학적(酵素學的) 연구(硏究))

  • Kim, Chan-Jo
    • Applied Biological Chemistry
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    • v.10
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    • pp.69-100
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    • 1968
  • 1. In order to investigate on the microflora and enzyme activity of mold wheat 'Nuruk' , the major source of microorganisms for the brewing of Takju (a Korean Sake), two samples of Nuruk, one prepared at the College of Agriculture, Chung Nam University (S) and the other perchased at a market (T), were taken for the study. The molds, aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts were examined and counted. The yeasts were classified by the treatment with TTC (2, 3, 5 triphenyltetrazolium chloride) agar that yields a varied shade of color. The amylase and protease activities of Nuruk were measured. The results were as the followings. a) In the Nuruk S found were: Aspergillus oryzae group, $204{\times}10^5$; Black Aspergilli, $163{\times}10^5$; Rhizogus, $20{\times}10^5$; Penicillia, $134{\times}10^5$; Areobic bacteria, $9{\times}10^6-2{\times}10^7$; Lactic acid bacteria, $3{\times}10^4$ In the Nuruk T found were: Aspergillus oryzae group, $836{\times}10^5$; Black Aspergilli, $286{\times}10^5$; Rhizopus, $623{\times}10^5$; Penicillia, $264{\times}10^5$; Aerobic bacteria, $5{\times}10^6-9{\times}10^6$; Lactic acid bacteria, $3{\times}10^4$ b) Eighty to ninety percent of the aerobic bacteria in Nuruk S appeared to belong to Bacillus subtilis while about 70% of those in Nuruk T seemed to be spherical bacteria. In both Nuruks about 80% of lactic acid bacteria were observed as spherical ones. c) The population of yeasts in 1g. of Nuruk S was about $6{\times}10^5$, 56.5% of which were TTC pink yeasts, 16% of which were TTC red pink yeasts, 8% of which were TTC red yeasts, 19.5% of which were TTC white yeasts. In Nuruk T(1g) the number of yeasts accounted for $14{\times}10^4$ and constituted of 42% TTC pink. 21% TTC red pink 28% TTC red and 9% TTC white. d) The enzyme activity of 1g Nuruk S was: Liquefying type Amylase, $D^{40}/_{30},=256$ W.V. Saccharifying type Amylase, 43.32 A.U. Acid protease, 181 C.F.U. Alkaline protease, 240C.F.U. The enzyme activity of 1g Nuruk T was: Liquefying type Amylase $D^{40}/_{30},=32$ W.V. Saccharifying type amylase $^{30}34.92$ A.U. Acid protease, 138 C.F.U. Alkaline protease 31 C.F.U. 2. During the fermentation of 'Takju' employing the Nuruks S and T the microflora and enzyme activity throughout the brewing were observed in 12 hour intervals. TTC pink and red yeasts considered to be the major yeasts were isolated and cultured. The strains ($1{\times}10^6/ml$) were added to the mashes S and T in which pH was adjusted to 4.2 and the change of microflora was examined during the fermentation. The results were: a) The molds disappeared from each sample plot since 2 to 3 days after mashing while the population of aerobic bacteria was found to be $10{\times}10^7-35{\times}10^7/ml$ inS plots and $8.2{\times}10^7-12{\times}10^7$ in plots. Among them the coccus propagated substantially until some 30 hours elasped in the S and T plots treated with lactic acid but decreased abruptly thereafter. In the plots of SP. SR. TP. and TR the coccus had not appeared from the beginning while the bacillus showed up and down changes in number and diminished by 1/5-1/10 the original at the end stage. b) The lactic acid bacteria observed in the S plot were about $7.4{\times}10^7$ in number per ml of the mash in 24 hours and increased up to around $2{\times}10^8$ until 3-4 days since. After this period the population decreased rapidly and reached about $4{\times}10^5$ at the end, In the plot T the lactic acid becteria found were about $3{\times}10^8$ at the period of 24 fours, about $3{\times}10$ in 3 days and about $2{\times}10^5$ at the end in number. In the plots SP. SR. TP, and TR the lactic acid bacteria observed were as less as $4{\times}10^5$ at the stage of 24 hours and after this period the organisms either remained unchanged in population or ceased to exist. c) The maiority of lactic acid bacteria found in each mash were spherical and the change in number displayed a tendency in accordance with the amount of lactic acid and alcohol produced in the mash. d) The yeasts had showed a marked propagation since the period of 24 hours when the number was about $2{\times}10^8$ ㎖ mash in the plot S. $4{\times}10^8$ in 48 hours and $5-7{\times}10^8$ in the end period were observed. In the plot T the number was $4{\times}10^8$ in 24 hours and thereafter changed up and down maintaining $2-5{\times}10^8$ in the range. e) Over 90% of the yeasts found in the mashes of S and T plots were TTC pink type while both TTC red pink and TTC red types held range of $2{\times}10-3{\times}10^7$ throughout the entire fermentation. f) The population of TTC pink yeasts in the plot SP was as $5{\times}10^8$ much as that is, twice of that of S plot at the period of 24 hours. The predominance in number continued until the middle and later stages but the order of number became about the same at the end. g) Total number of the yeasts observed in the plot SR showed little difference from that of the plot SP. The TTC red yeasts added appeared considerably in the early stage but days after the change in number was about the same as that of the plot S. In the plot TR the population of TTC red yeasts was predominant over the T plot in the early stage which there was no difference between two plots there after. For this reason even in the plot w hers TTC red yeasts were added TTC pink yeasts were predominant. TTC red yeasts observed in the present experiment showed continuing growth until the later stage but the rate was low. h) In the plot TP TTC pink yeasts were found to be about $5{\times}10^8$ in number at the period of 2 days and inclined to decrease thereafter. Compared with the plot T the number of TTC pink yeasts in the plot TP was predominant until the middle stage but became at the later stage. i) The productivity of alcohol in the mash was measured. The plot where TTC pink yeasts were added showed somewhat better yield in the earely stage but at and after the middle stage the difference between the yeast-added and the intact mashes was not recognizable. And the production of alcohol was not proportional to the total number of yeasts present. j) Activity of the liquefying amylase was the highest until 12 hours after mashing, somewhat lowered once after that, and again increased around 36-48 hours after mashing. Then the activity had decreased continuously. Activity of saccharifying amylase also decreased at the period of 24 hours and then increased until 48 hours when it reached the maximum. Since, the activity had gradually decreased until 72 hours and rapidly so did thereafter. k) Activity of alkaline protease during the fermentation of mash showed a tendency to decrease continusously although somewhat irregular. Activity of acid protease increased until hours at the maximum, then decreased rapidly, and again increased, the vigor of acid protease showed better shape than that of alkaline protease throughout. 3. TTC pink yeasts that were predominant in number, two strains of TTC red pink yeasts that appeared throughout the brewing, and TTC red yeasts were identified and the physiological characters examined. The results were as described below. a) TTC pinkyeasts (B-50P) and two strains of TTC red pink yeasts (B-54 RP & B-60 RP) w ere identified as the type of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and TTC pink red yeasts CB-53 R) were as the type of Hansenula subpelliculosa. b) The fermentability of four strains above mentioned were measured as follows. Two strains of TTC red pink yeasts were the highest, TTC pink yeasts were the lowest in the fermantability. The former three strains were active in the early stage of fermentation and found to be suitable for manufacturing 'Takju' TTC red yeasts were found to play an important role in Takju brewing due to its strong ability to produce esters although its fermentability was low. c) The tolerance against nitrous acid of strains of yeast was marked. That against lactic acid was only 3% in Koji extract, and TTC red yeasts showed somewhat stronger resistance. The tolerance against alcohol of TTC pink and red pink yeasts in the Hayduck solution was 7% while that in the malt extract was 13%. However, that of TTC red yeasts was much weaker than others. Liguefying activity of gelatin by those four strains of yeast was not recognized even in 40 days. 4. Fermentability during Takju brewing was shown in the first two days as much as 70-80% of total fermentation and around 90% of fermentation proceeded in 3-4 days. The main fermentation appeared to be completed during :his period. Productivity of alcohol during Takju brewing was found to be apporximately 65% of the total amount of starch put in mashing. 5. The reason that Saccharomyces coreanuss found be Saito in the mash of Takju was not detected in the present experiment is considered due to the facts that Aspergillus oryzae has been inoculated in the mold wheat (Nuruk) since around 1930 and also that Koji has been used in Takju brewing, consequently causing they complete change in microflora in the Takju brewing. This consideration will be supported by the fact that the original flavor and taste have now been remarkably changed.

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Studies on the Processing Conditions and the Taste Compounds of the Sardine Sauce Extracts (속성 정어리간장 엑스분의 가공조건 및 정미함분에 관한 연구)

  • LEE Eung-Ho;JEE Seung-Kil;AHN Chang-Bum;KIM Jin-Soo
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.21 no.1
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    • pp.57-66
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    • 1988
  • As a method of utilization of sardine, the processing conditions of the sardine sauce extracts and the taste compounds of products were investigated. To prepare the sardine sauce extracts, chopped sardine was mixed with $1\%$, onion powder, $1\%$ garlic powder, $1\%$ red pepper powder, loft koji and $50\%$ water, and then hydrolyzed under different conditions of hydrolysis. The optimum conditions for hydrolysis were $55^{\circ}C$, 6 hours, pH 6.5-7.0. After hydrolysis, the hydrolysates were heated at $100^{\circ}C$ for 20 minutes with $5\%$ soybean protein isolate for inactivation of enzymes and improvement of bitter taste of the hydrolysates. Finally, $10\%$ salt was added to develop the characteristic taste of sauce extracts. The major taste compounds of the products were free amino acids, non-volatile organic acids and nucleotides and their related compounds. The major free amino acids in the products were arginine, histidine, lysine, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, leucine and alanine. The contents of these free amino acids were in the range of $68.2\%\;to\;69.9\%$ of the total free amino acids of products. The major non-volatile organic acids ill the products were lactic acid and $\alpha-ketoglutaric$ acid which occupied more than $95\%$ of total non-volatile organic acids. The contents of free amino acids, non-volatile organic acids and nucleotides and their related compounds were not changed during storage. Total creatinine, betaine and TMAO were seemed to act an auxiliary role in taste of the products. Judging from the results of chemical experiments and sensory evaluation, the product prepared with koji and soybean protein isolate was excellent as seasoning materials.

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miniTAO/ANIR Paα SURVEY OF LOCAL LIRGs

  • Tateuchi, Ken;Motohara, Kentaro;Konishi, Masahiro;Takahashi, Hidenori;Kato, Natsuko;Uchimoto, Yuka K.;Toshikawa, Koji;Ohsawa, Ryou;Kitagawa, Yutaro;Yoshii, Yuzuru;Doi, Mamoru;Kohno, Kotaro;Kawara, Kimiaki;Tanaka, Masuo;Miyata, Takashi;Tanabe, Toshihiko;Minezaki, Takeo;Sako, Shigeyuki;Morokuma, Tomoki;Tamura, Yoichi;Aoki, Tsutomu;Soyano, Takeo;Tarusawa, Kenfichi;Koshida, Shintaro;Kamizuka, Takafumi;Nakamura, Tomohiko;Asano, Kentaro;Uchiyama, Mizuho;Okada, Kazushi;Ita, Yoshifusa
    • Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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    • v.27 no.4
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    • pp.297-298
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    • 2012
  • ANIR (Atacama Near InfraRed camera) is a near infrared camera for the University of Tokyo Atacama 1m telescope, installed at the summit of Co. Chajnantor (5,640 m altitude) in northern Chile. The high altitude and extremely low water vapor (PWV = 0.5 mm) of the site enable us to perform observation of hydrogen $Pa{\alpha}$ emission line at $1.8751{\mu}m$. Since its first light observation in June 2009, we have been carrying out a $Pa{\alpha}$ narrow-band imaging survey of nearby luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs), and have obtained $Pa{\alpha}$ for 38 nearby LIRGs listed in AKARI/FIS-PSC at the velocity of recession between 2,800 km/s and 8,100 km/s. LIRGs are affected by a large amount of dust extinction ($A_V$~ 3 mag), produced by their active star formation activities. Because $Pa{\alpha}$ is the strongest hydrogen recombination line in the infrared wavelength ranges, it is a good and direct tracer of dust-enshrouded star forming regions, and enables us to probe the star formation activities in LIRGs. We find that LIRGs have two star-forming modes. The origin of the two modes probably come from differences between merging stage and/or star-forming process.

Associations between Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Gene Polymorphisms and Colorectal Cancer Risk and Effect Modifications of Dietary Calcium and Vitamin D in a Japanese Population

  • Takeshige, Nobuyuki;Yin, Guang;Ohnaka, Keizo;Kono, Suminori;Ueki, Takashi;Tanaka, Masao;Maehara, Yoshihiko;Okamura, Takeshi;Ikejiri, Koji;Maekawa, Takafumi;Yasunami, Yohichi;Takenaka, Kenji;Ichimiya, Hitoshi;Terasaka, Reiji
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.5
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    • pp.2019-2026
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    • 2015
  • Much interest has been drawn to possible associations between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and colorectal cancer risk in conjunction with potentially protective effects of calcium and vitamin D. In a study of 685 cases of colorectal cancer and 778 community controls in Japan, we examined the associations of the FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI polymorphisms with colorectal cancer risk and effect modification by dietary calcium and vitamin D. Genotypes were determined by the PCR-RFLP method. The ApaI polymorphism seemed to be associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer, particularly of rectal cancer. The adjusted odds ratio of colorectal cancer for the ApaI AA and Aa genotypes combined versus the aa genotype was 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-1.02), and the corresponding value for rectal cancer was 0.75 (95%CI 0.56-0.99). A decreased risk of colorectal cancer for the ApaI AA and Aa genotypes combined was more evident in individuals with high calcium intake (interaction p=0.055). The FokI polymorphism seemed to be associated with a decreased risk of colon cancer among those with high vitamin D intake (interaction p=0.09). The BsmI and TaqI polymorphisms were unrelated to colorectal cancer risk, and the null associations were not modified by calcium or vitamin D intake. In conclusion, the ApaI polymorphism may be associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer in Japanese, dependent on dietary calcium intake.

Effects of Cellulolytic Enzyme on the Geep-Jang Processing (즙장제조(汁醬製造)에 있어서 섬유소류(纖維素類) 분해효소(分解酵素)의 첨가효과(添加效果))

  • Im, Kook-Ee
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.7 no.3
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    • pp.45-50
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    • 1974
  • Geep-Jang, a kind of soybean paste, was made from vegetables such as egg-plant, green cucumber and green red pepper besides grains, which was fermented at $55{\sim}60^{\circ}C$ incubator or room temperature for a week. In order to determine the effect of cellulolytic enzymes addition on the Geep-Jang processing, samples were taken by 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 hours interval after first stage, chemical composition were measured and its results obtained as follows: 1. Reducing sugar was rapidly increased from twenty to forty hours after first stage. 2. Large contents of reducing sugar at G-5 group might originated from the much quantity of carbohydrate sources and speed up the decomposition of raw materials by cellulolytic enzymes. 3. The different content of reducing sugars between G-1 and G-3 group should stemed from the addition of enzymes solution and it's differences were very remarkable id the case of classic soybean koji power 4. The contents of amino-nitrogen was generally more increased than the classic one(G-2, G-4). 5. Fermentation period of Geep-Jang may reduce by addition of cellulolytic enzymes.

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Conversion of Ginseng Saponin with the Enzyme Produced by Rhizopus sp. (Part 1) Confirmation of Conversion of Ginsenoside- Rb$_1$to Ginsenoside-Rd (Rhizopus sp.가 생산하는 효소에 의한 인삼 Saponin의 전환 (제1보) Ginsenoside-Rb$_1$에서 Ginsenoside-Rd로의 전환확인)

  • 김상달;서정훈
    • Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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    • v.10 no.4
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    • pp.267-273
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    • 1982
  • Among 12 kinds of ginsenosides in ginseng saponin, ginsenoside-Rb$_1$was contained the most abundantly. But ginsenoside-Rd which is similar to ginsenoside-Rb$_1$in structure, was known to be superior to ginsenoside-Rb$_1$pharmaceutically. In order to convert ginsenoside-Rb$_1$into ginsenoside-Rd by microbial enzyme treatment, a Rhizopus sp. was selected among various strais of molds found in rotten ginseng roots. Enzyme was prepared from the extract of wheat bran koji culture by ammonium sulfate precipitation (1.0 sat'd) and succeeding ammonium sulfate fractionation method (0.6-0.9 sat'd). For the purpose of use as substrate, saponins were purified by the several purification steps from alcohol extract of red ginseng roots. We obtained the total saponin which was composed of 36.5% of ginsenoside Rb$_1$, 12.2% of ginsenoside-Rd and other ginsenosides. For increase of ginsenoside-Rb$_1$ component ratio, we also obtained further purified ginsenoside-Rb group saponin containing 54.5% of ginsenoside-Rb$_1$, 1.1% of ginsenoside- Rd and other ginsenosides from purified the total saponin. In the enzymatic reaction system including the total saponin or the ginsenoside-Rb group saponin, we confirmed the specific conversion of ginsenoside-Rb$_1$to ginsenoside-Rd proportionally and no change of any other ginsenoside patterns by thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography.

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Folate-Related Nutrients, Genetic Polymorphisms, and Colorectal Cancer Risk: the Fukuoka Colorectal Cancer Study

  • Morita, Makiko;Yin, Guang;Yoshimitsu, Shin-Ichiro;Ohnaka, Keizo;Toyomura, Kengo;Kono, Suminori;Ueki, Takashi;Tanaka, Masao;Kakeji, Yoshihiro;Maehara, Yoshihiko;Okamura, Takeshi;Ikejiri, Koji;Futami, Kitaroh;Maekawa, Takafumi;Yasunami, Yohichi;Takenaka, Kenji;Ichimiya, Hitoshi;Terasaka, Reiji
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.14 no.11
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    • pp.6249-6256
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    • 2013
  • One-carbon metabolism plays an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Meta-analyses have suggested protective associations of folate and vitamin $B_6$ intakes with colorectal cancer primarily based on studies in Caucasians, and genetic polymorphisms pertaining to the folate metabolism have been a matter of interest. Less investigated are the roles of methionine synthase (MTR) and thymidylate synthetase (TS) polymorphisms in colorectal carcinogenesis. In a study of 816 cases and 815 community controls in Japan, we investigated associations of dietary intakes of folate, methionine, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, and vitamin $B_{12}$ with colorectal cancer risk. The associations with MTR 2756A>G, MTRR 66A>G, and TSER repeat polymorphism were examined in 685 cases and 778 controls. Methionine and vitamin $B_{12}$ intakes were inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk, but the associations were totally confounded by dietary calcium and n-3 fatty acids. The other nutrients showed no association with the risk even without adjustment for calcium and n-3 fatty acids. The TSER 2R allele was dose-dependently associated with an increased risk. The MTR and MTRR polymorphisms were unrelated to colorectal cancer risk. There was no measurable gene-gene or gene-nutrient interaction, but increased risk associated with the TSER 2R allele seemed to be confined to individuals with high folate status. This study does not support protective associations for folate and vitamin $B_6$. The TSER 2R allele may confer an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The role of the TSER polymorphism in colorectal carcinogenesis may differ by ethnicity.

Risk Factors for Upper and Lower Urinary Tract Cancer Death in a Japanese Population: Findings from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk (JACC Study)

  • Washio, Masakazu;Mori, Mitsuru;Mikami, Kazuya;Miki, Tsuneharu;Watanabe, Yoshiyuki;Nakao, Masahiro;Kubo, Tatsuhiko;Suzuki, Koji;Ozasa, Kotaro;Wakai, Kenji;Tamakoshi, Akiko
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.17 no.7
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    • pp.3545-3549
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    • 2016
  • Background: The incidence of bladder cancer is lower in Asian than in Western countries. However, the crude incidence and mortality of bladder cancer have recently increased in Japan because of the increased number of senior citizens. We have already reported risk factors for urothelial cancer in a large population-based cohort study in Japan (JACC study). However, we did not evaluate the cancer risk in the upper and lower urinary tract separately in our previous study. Materials and Methods: Here we evaluated the risk of cancer death in the upper and lower urinary tracts, separately, using the database of the JACC study. The analytic cohort included 46,395 males and 64,190 females aged 40 to 79 years old. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine hazard ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. Results: Current smoking increased the risk of both upper and lower urinary tract cancer deaths. A history of kidney disease was associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer death, even after controlling for age, sex and smoking status. Conclusions: The present study confirmed that current smoking increases the risk of both upper and lower urinary tract cancer deaths and indicated the possibility that a history of kidney disease may be a risk factor for bladder cancer death in the Japanese population.