Supplement effects of ions, sugars, and amino acids on the thermostability of liquefying type alpha-amylase from Bacillus subtilis were examined. The addition of 1 mmol/L Ca2+ or about 50 mmol/L Na+ remarkably stimulated the thermostability of this enzyme among ions examined. The thermostability of the enzyme was enhanced and reduced by the extrinsic addition of 50 mmol/L acidic amino acid such as glutamic acid and alkaline amino acid of the concentrations of sugars from 0 to 1000 mmol/L the thermostability of alpha-amylase increased almost such as arginine, respectively. With the increases linearly. By the co-existence of Na+ or K+ with some amino acids or sugars the thermostability of this enzyme was fairly increased. The changes in the fluorescence intensity of alpha-amylase were examined as a function of the incubation temperature on the enzyme, which showed a good agreement with those of residual activities.
Amino Acids ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; pharmacology ; Carbohydrates ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Stability ; Protein Conformation ; Sodium ; pharmacology ; Temperature ; alpha-Amylases ; chemistry ; metabolism

Some simulation-based education tools have been introduced in Kampo medicine. However, there are only a few brief simulation tools to learn qi-blood-fluid (QBF) patterns of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In this study, we developed a self-diagnostic questionnaire that allows students learn TCM interviews and QBF patterns by answering the questionnaire and evaluated its reliability and validity. We extracted questionnaire items to classify six QBF patterns (qi deficiency, blood deficiency, yin deficiency, qi stagnation, blood stasis, and phlegm-fluid retention) based on some textbooks of TCM and Kampo medicine. Then we developed an initial questionnaire comprising 35 items. Fifth year medical students at Tohoku University School of Medicine answered the questionnaire of small group teaching during 2017-2020. We evaluated the accuracy of the questionnaire if compared with the diagnosis of academic supervisors. To improve the accuracy, we adjusted the questionnaire’s thresholds and created a predictive model of the patterns using logistic regression analysis. The questionnaire’s sensitivity improved by adjusting the thresholds. Logistic regression analysis resulted in a predictive model that could determine QBF patterns with the same level of accuracy as the original for 20 items overall. The results suggest that the use of a simple questionnaire with ensured accuracy may contribute to better pre-graduate education by making it easier for students to understand their own Kampo medicine patterns.