The high correlation was observed between the swelling power of rice flour at 80°C and the viscosity at 85°C in amylographic characteristics or the soluble solids at 70°C in cooking qualities. On the other hand, it was recognized that amylose and nitrogen contents of rice restrained the viscosity at 85°C in amylographic characteristics, the soluble solids from rice grain and the swelling of rice flour, and also recognized that amylase of rice let the gelatinization temperature fall and promoted the viscosity at 85°C in amylographic characteristics and the soluble solids from rice grain.In addition, it was suggested that the viscosity at 85°C in amylograpic characteristics and the soluble solids at 70°C in cooking qualities which were related to the rice palatability were influenced by amylose, nitrogen and amylase activity of rice.

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Physical properties of mochi cake are reviewed from the perspective viewpoints of microphotometry, linear and nonlinear viscoelastometry. Former two methods may be used for characterization of mochi cake, but they give fairly limited information. The results in sensory evaluation agreed well with the data obtained with nonlinear transient viscorlastomery, suggesting texture may be based on transition from equilibrium to nonequilibrium structure due to large strain.

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To evaluate the activities of clinical hemorheology in time course we searched the number of references including hemorheological subjects heading such as blood viscosity, red and white cell deformability and blood viscoelasticity by Medline for 56 years from 1950 till 2005.We analyzed here the number of references in every 4 years. References of applicable disease were diabetes mellitus, hematological disease, hepatic disease, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and collagen disease. Through the movement of number of references had been found during time passed, a decrease is brought about in peak 1990-1993 which will suggest some activities of clinical hemorheology in nowadays. We considered that the development of the publication of the journal and holding of the conference and the new research and so on will become stimuli on rising production of hemorheological references.

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We reported previously that human coagulation factor IX (F-IX), when activated by normal human red blood cells (RBCs). causes coagulation. We also identified and characterized the F-IX-activating enzyme in the normal RBC membrane. In the present study, the coagulation of blood in experimental animals, including swine, dogs, rabbits, cattle and sheep, was compared to that in humans, with special reference to the procoagulant activity of RBCs. Rheological measurement showed that coagulation of platelet-free plasma (PFP) in a polypropylene tube did not occur in any of the species. In swine as in humans, coagulation of PFP supplemented with RBCs (RBCs/PFP) occurred. However, in dogs, rabbits, sheep or cattle coagulation of RBCs/PFP did not occur. Fluorescence assays of RBC membranes using a synthetic fluorogenic substrate suggested that F-IX-activating enzyme may be present in swine, dog and rabbit as well as human RBC membranes, but its level may be very low in sheep and bovine membranes. Our data suggest that there is a significant difference in procoagulant activity of RBCs among animal species. In addition, they suggest that appropriate selection of animal species would be important for studying venous thrombus formation, including the evaluation of anticoagulability of materials under stagnant flow conditions.

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Deaths which occur in the bathtub are common in Japan, amounting to approximately 14000 per year. To clarify the risk of sudden death while taking a bath, we analyzed the physiological changes induced by bathing. Thirty volunteers participated in our study, and hemorheological factors such as whole blood and plasma viscosity, hematocrit, total protein and fibrinogen, etc, were measured before and after taking a bath at 42°C for 20minutes. A body weight reduction was observed after bathing (mean 550g) and whole blood viscosity levels were significantly increased for all the cases with a mean of 0.46 cP (p<0.0001). Whole blood viscosity reached over 5.5 cP in four cases. This viscosity value corresponds to the highly elevated levels seen in cerebral ischemic disease patients, and could be explained by their increased hematocrit. We also investigated the hemoglobin levels by analyzing the postmortem blood of 10 deaths during bathing and 11 acute deaths stemming from traffic accidents. These results suggest that the dehydration induced by bathing can cause serious hyperviscosity, which may sometimes be fatal for the elderly people with less compensative ability.

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