No abstract

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter with beneficial effects including antihypertension and antistress properties. In this study, we examined the effects of GABA-enriched white rice (GABA rice) on blood pressure (BP) in 39 mildly hypertensive adults in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The participants were divided into a test group (n = 22) who consumed rice with 11.2 mg GABA/100 g of rice and a placebo group (n = 17) who consumed rice with 2.7 mg GABA/100 g of rice. For 8 weeks, the participants took 150 g of either the GABA rice or the placebo rice. Hematological examinations were performed on both groups at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after the start of rice consumption. Home BP was self-measured two times daily, morning and evening, from 1 weeks before to 2 weeks after the intervention. Although the hospital BP and evening BP measurements of the participants showed no significant change, consumption of the GABA rice improved the morning BP compared with the placebo rice after the 1st week and during the 6th and 8th weeks. These results showed the possibility that the GABA rice improves morning hypertension.

To identify optimal conditions of GABA Enriching Equipment for making GABA enriched high eating quality whiterice (GABA rice), we measured the GABA contents in whiterice and performed sensory evaluation and volatile compounds analysis of cooked rice, using the Hokkaido rice cultivar Yumepirika. Quantity of GABA included in GABA rice following a 3-hours enrichment had much about 10 times of normal whiterice at 11. 4 mg/100 g of whiterice. Sensory and volatile analysis of cooked rice showed that GABA rice following a >4-hours enrichment process had distinctive grassy and raw smells. Therefore, we concluded that a 3-hours enrichment process was the most suitable for GABA rice. The stress relief effects of GABA rice in humans were investigated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial.Thirty-nine adult subjects were enrolled in this study and were divided into the following two groups : GABA rice or placebo whiterice; 150 g of whiterice was fed daily for eight weeks. VAS tests revealed that the mental condition and quality of sleep tended to improve by the intake of GABA rice. In addition, blood cortisol and adiponectin levels indicated that stress load tended to be lighten by GABA rice. In conclusion, the intake of GABA rice with a 3-hours enrichment process is effective for gently lightening the stress load.

No abstract

To detect infant hearing disorders at the earliest stage , we use an ABR screener with natus-ALGO2e (AABR). We evaluated AABR efficancy and it with conventional ABR .Materials and Methods: We examined 1450 ears of 725 infants at the perinatal center of Toho University Hospital risk for hearing disorders in 75 cases. AABR detection was "normal" (PASS) or "uncertain" (REFER) .Results: 1. AABR screening tests were used in all cases sleeping without the use of narcotics . A test took only and 3(0.4%) in bilateral REFER. 2. In low-risk hearing impairment of 1300 ears of 650 infants , bilateral PASS was seen for 646 infants (99.4%) and unilateral REFER for 4(0.6%). Reexamination was done for 4 infants with unilateral REFER after a week, but PASS was indicated in all cases. 3. In the comparative study with conventional ABR in high-risk hearing disorder for 60 ears of 30 infants, examination showed abnormalities in 2 of 53 ears passed by AABR. These 2 infants had marked low weight at delivery and abnormal chromosomes and are being followed up carefully as outpatients .4. Seven ears of 4 infants with unilateral REFER and bilateral REFER by AABR were abnormal in all cases in conventional ABR examination. These cases had severe risk factors such as marked low weight at delivery, asphyxia neonatorum, and long-term respiratory control problems. Two ears of 1 infant gave no response bilaterally in conventional ABR at the age of 1 year and 2 months.Conclusion: AABR screening is compact, speedy, and more risk-free than conventional ABR, but discrepancies in results suggest the need for careful reexamination.