Usual dietary intakes of selected trace elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, I, Se, Cr, and Mo) and biotin revealed by a survey of four-season 7-consecutive day weighed dietary records in middle-aged Japanese dietitians.

We aimed to identify food sources of selected trace elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, I, Se, Cr, Mo) and biotin in the Japanese diet and to assess usual dietary intakes based on the ratios of within-person to between-person variance. Subjects were 98 middle-aged dietitians living in central Japan who participated in a survey of four-season 7 consecutive day weighed diet records. Based on the latest Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan published in 2010, food sources of selected nutrients were located according to a contribution analysis, and computed usual dietary intakes. Dietary intakes were checked with the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese 2010. Prevalence of inadequacy in a group was determined using the Estimated Average Requirement cut-point method. The major contributors to selected trace elements and biotin were not only meat and milk, but also traditional Japanese food items, including rice, tofu and tofu products, fish, seaweed, chicken eggs, fermented soy bean seasonings, and green tea. Medians of usual intakes were estimated for Zn (men 8.9 mg, women 8.4 mg), Cu (1.32 mg, 1.21 mg), Mn (3.73 mg, 3.76 mg), I (312 µg, 413 µg), Se (97 µg, 94 µg), Cr (10 µg, 9 µg), Mo (226 µg, 184 µg), and biotin (51.7 µg, 47.6 µg). The prevalence of inadequacy of dietary intakes was high for Zn, Cu and Cr. Regarding I, the proportion above the Tolerant Upper Level was overestimated based on the crude mean value. We first identified food sources of selected trace elements and biotin in the Japanese diet, and assessed the usual intakes.

Factors relating to doctors' desire to change hospitals in Japan.

PURPOSE: This study seeks to investigate doctors' desire to change the hospital where they work to sustain higher quality care. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Self-administered questionnaires were sent to doctors in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Data were analyzed using univariate and logistic regression analysis and recursive partitioning. FINDINGS: Factors related to doctors' desire to change hospitals, according to logistic regression, were interaction between working hours and satisfaction with the hospital, evaluation, local government hospitals versus private ones, small vs large hospitals, ophthalmology versus internal medicine, desire to continue working as a hospital doctor and age. Additionally, working hours were also found to be related, based on recursive partitioning. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The response rate was low and sampling bias was observed--therefore results need careful interpretation. Also, because this was a cross-sectional study, causal relationships could not be identified. Desire to change hospitals, but not actual behavior, was measured. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Efforts to prevent doctors from changing hospitals should include considering job satisfaction and workload, doctor evaluation methods, support for career progression and organizational management. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: As the hospital doctor shortage in rural areas becomes more serious, exploring doctors' desire to leave their current hospital is meaningful for Japanese hospital managers and hospitals worldwide aiming to provide sustainable and higher quality care.

[Updates on ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. Quality of life (QOL) of patients with OPLL].

Among the research conducted under the Health Labour Sciences Research Grant Program by the study group on ossification of spinal ligaments, we reviewed studies on patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) with regard to methods for assessing their QOL as well as the study results. Methods for assessing QOL included the use of a single question, health-related QOL scales such as the SF-36 and SF-8, and the QOL criteria used in the JOA Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ) . In patients with OPLL, which is a condition characterized by pain and numbness that primarily affects the patient's lifestyle rather than survival, the degree of pain was strongly related to QOL. Among activities of daily living, transferring and bathing were strongly related to QOL. Therefore, it is important to maintain appropriate rehabilitation.

Sex and seasonal variations of plasma retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and carotenoid concentrations in Japanese dietitians.

AIM: To clarify sex and seasonal variations of plasma antioxidant concentrations among middle-aged Japanese. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We investigated sex and seasonal variations of plasma antioxidant concentrations, including retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and lycopene), in 55 middle-aged dietitians (46 women and 9 men) in Aichi Prefecture, Central Japan, who took no supplements from autumn 1996 to summer 1997. Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography was used to measure plasma antioxidant concentrations in overnight-fasting blood samples. RESULTS: Plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol, alpha-/beta-carotene, b-cryptoxanthin and lutein were significantly influenced by sex, being significantly higher for women than men in each corresponding season; retinol and lycopene, however, showed no such difference. For women, winter values of alpha-tocopherol, alpha-/beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene were significantly lower than corresponding summer values, and had reached their annual lowest. Retinol failed to show any significant seasonal variation, whereas the winter value of beta-cryptoxanthin had reached its annual highest. For men, beta-cryptoxanthin exhibited significant seasonal changes and was also highest in winter. Winter values of alpha-tocopherol, alpha-/beta-carotene and lycopene were lower compared with other seasons, but not statistically significant, probably due to the small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that sex and seasonal variations of plasma antioxidant concentrations should be taken into account in nutritional epidemiologic studies.

[The differences in young and elderly adults on false memory: examination on the effect of retention interval].

False recognition can occur at high levels after participants study lists of associated words and are tested with semantically related lures. The present study attempted to determine the differences of young and elderly adults in retention interval on false recognition and remember-know judgments of critical lure. Young participants' mean age was 21.6 years (range 21-23 years). Elderly participants' mean age was 69.7 years (range 65-74 years). Participants engaged in estimating the frequency of usage of visually presented words, and they were tested both immediately and one week later after the study phase. We found that elderly adults were relatively more susceptible than young adults to this false recognition effect. Moreover, a reliable increase of false recognition for critical lures was observed across retention interval in young adults but not in elderly adults.

Plasma concentrations of (n-3) highly unsaturated fatty acids are good biomarkers of relative dietary fatty acid intakes: a cross-sectional study.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to clarify the associations of lifestyle factors (habitual exercise, alcohol intake and smoking habit) and plasma fatty acid (FA) concentrations as biomarkers of dietary FA intakes. We collected 7-d weighed diet records, lifestyle information and blood samples from 15 male and 79 female Japanese dietitians, and estimated dietary FA intakes and analyzed plasma FA concentrations. Plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and (n-3) highly unsaturated FA (HUFA) derived from marine foods, but not linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid from plant origins, demonstrated positive correlations with dietary intakes (r = 0.303-0.602, P < 0.05) in both genders. Multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for age, BMI, total energy intake, fat (or respective FA) consumption and lifestyle factors showed that dietary intakes of EPA, DHA and (n-3) HUFA were positively associated with age in men (P < 0.05) and negatively associated with BMI in women [P < 0.01 for DHA and (n-3) HUFA]. The plasma concentrations of EPA, DHA and (n-3) HUFA in women were found to be positively associated with age and marine oil (or respective FA) intake (P < 0.01), and negatively associated with total energy intake [P < 0.05 for EPA and (n-3) HUFA]. Lifestyle factors were not associated with dietary FA intakes and plasma FA concentrations. These findings suggest that the plasma concentrations of EPA, DHA and (n-3) HUFA might be useful biomarkers for the assessment of relative FA intakes without considering associations with habitual exercise, alcohol intake and smoking habit.

Seasonal variation in consumption and plasma concentrations of fatty acids in Japanese female dietitians.

OBJECTIVE: To study seasonal variation in intake and plasma concentrations of fatty acids (FAs) in Japanese female dietitians. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We assessed consumption of FAs based on four season 7 consecutive day weighed diet records from 71 Japanese female dietitians in 1996-1997. Using overnight fasting venous blood, plasma concentrations of FAs were analyzed by gas chromatography. Seasonal variation in consumption and plasma concentrations was examined by ANOVA for repeated values, followed by Tukey's multiple t-test. We calculated Spearman's partial rank correlation coefficients (CCs) between intake and plasma concentrations of FAs. Furthermore, we computed inter-seasonal Spearman's partial rank CCs for consumption and plasma concentrations of FAs. RESULTS: Statistically significant seasonal differences were observed in consumption for most FAs, except for myristic acid, monounsaturated FAs, oleic acid, n-6 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs), linoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, PUFAs/saturated FAs, and n-6 PUFAs/n-3 PUFAs, and for most plasma concentrations, except for stearic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, n-3 PUFAs, alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and n-3 highly unsaturated FAs (HUFAs). However, statistically significant Spearman's partial rank CCs between intake and plasma concentrations were observed for EPA, DHA, n-3 HUFAs, n-6 PUFAs/n-3 PUFAs and n-6 PUFAs/n-3 HUFAs for almost all seasons. CONCLUSIONS: Seasonal variation exists in consumption and plasma concentrations of FAs, so that this should be taken into account in epidemiological analyses, including case-control and cohort studies.

[Comparison of the literature on medical accidents from a medical database and articles in daily newspapers in Japan].

PURPOSE: We analyzed the frequency and content of journal reports on medical accidents over the past 15 years, and compared these findings with related articles in daily newspapers as a means of assessing medical professionals' awareness of current public opinion reflected in daily newspaper coverage. METHODS: A search of medical accident reports was conducted using CD-ROM versions of the medical literature database Japana Centra Revuo Medicina (1987-2001), with the key words "medical accident" and "medical error." The numbers of medical accident articles in newspapers and medical lawsuits were taken as indicators of public opinion. Relationships were investigated using correlation and time series analyses. RESULTS: 1) The total number of reports on medical accidents (including medical errors; hereinafter, medical accident reports) in the database was 2,858, equaling 0.78 medical accident reports for each 1,000 reports in the CD-ROM database. 2) The number of medical accident reports was 174 in 1987, gradually increasing to 333 in 2000 and 618 in 2001. 3) The proportion of the reports from the nursing field increased from 8.9% (1989) to 31.7% (1999). In contrast, the proportion concerning the medical field decreased from 68.8% to 50.2%. 4) The number of medical accident articles in two newspapers was investigated. The yearly trends were similar in both of these newspapers, showing an increase in 1999 and a peak in 2000. 5) A review of Supreme Court records revealed that the number of medical lawsuits each year increased gradually from 352 in 1990 to 805 in 2001. 6) There were significant correlations between the number of medical accident reports and the numbers of newspaper articles or medical lawsuits. A time series analysis of these trends showed that the trend in number of medical accident reports was closely linked with those for numbers of newspaper articles and medical lawsuits, with a time lag. CONCLUSION: Research trends in papers on medical accidents from a database of scientific papers were found to correspond with trend curves for medical lawsuits and articles on medical accidents in daily newspapers. It was thus demonstrated that awareness of medical accidents among medical professionals reflects social emphasis.

Pharmacological characteristics of bombesin receptor mediating hypothermia in the central nervous system of rats.

Bombesin (BN) and structurally related peptides, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and neuromedin B (NMB), injected into the lateral ventricle produce multiple effects such as hypothermia, anorexia and hormone release. In this study, the pharmacological characteristics of BN receptors mediating hypothermia in the central nervous system (CNS) were investigated using free-moving male Wistar rats. Intracerebroventricular injections of BN, GRP and NMB produced hypothermia in a dose-dependent manner. The BN (0.3 microg)-induced effect showed a short latency and a 4-h duration with a potency increased by more than 100 times compared to the NMB-induced effect. Pretreatment with [D-Tyr(6)]BN(6-13)methylester, a GRP receptor antagonist, inhibited the BN (0.3 microg)- and NMB (7 microg)-induced hypothermia. On the other hand, BIM23127, an NMB receptor antagonist, did not influence the hypothermia. Of the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, chelerythrine, Go6983, staurosporine and GF109203X, the first two partially blocked the BN-induced hypothermia. A PKC activator, phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate, decreased the rectal temperature. Genistein (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor), Y-27632 (a Rho kinase inhibitor) and PD98059 (a MAPK inhibitor) tended to suppress the BN-induced hypothermia, however, these were not significant. The inhibitory effect of a mixture of the three inhibitors, chelerythrine, genistein and Y-27632, on the BN-induced hypothermia was of a similar degree to that of chelerythrine alone. The BN receptor mediating the hypothermia seem to be the GRP subtype, and the effect involves activation of PKC.

Daily, weekly, seasonal, within- and between-individual variation in nutrient intake according to four season consecutive 7 day weighed diet records in Japanese female dietitians.

OBJECTIVE: To study daily, weekly, seasonal, within- and between-individual variance in intake of selected nutrients and minimal days necessary for assessing true intake with a specified degree of error based on four season consecutive 7 day weighed diet records (WDRs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We evaluated consumption of energy and 30 nutrients based on four season consecutive 7 day WDRs from 80 Japanese female dietitians in 1996-1997. We examined daily, weekly, seasonal, within- and between-individual variation in nutrient intake, relative contributions of their variances to total variance, and minimal days required to estimate a person's nutrient intake within 10% and 20% of their true mean with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The relative contributions of variation for all nutrients by person were larger than those by day, week and season. Within-individual variances were greater than the between-individual variances. The ratios of within- vs. between-individual variances thus ranged from 1.3-26.9. Minimal days necessary for estimating nutrient consumption per person within 10% (20%) of the true mean with 95% confidence intervals ranged from 10-35 (3-9) days for energy and major nutrients and 15-640 (4-160) days for micro-nutrients. CONCLUSIONS: The relative contributions of variability by person were largest for all nutrients, followed by those due to sequence of days, season and day of week. Within-individual variation was greater than between-individual variation. Minimal days necessary for ascertaining major nutrients were in general fewer than micro-nutrients.

Reproducibility of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire in Japanese female dietitians.

OBJECTIVE: To examine reproducibility of assessed intake of foods and nutrients according to a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) in Japanese female dietitians. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An SQFFQ was self-administered to 106 (21 male and 85 female) Japanese dietitians in Aichi prefecture in autumn 1996 and the same questionnaire was repeated in autumn 1997. Reproducibility was evaluated in terms of consumption of 15 foods and energy and 30 macro- and micro-nutrients based on the SQFFQ from 84 Japanese female dietitians. RESULTS: For intake of foods, Pearson's correlation coefficients (CCs) with log-transformation and energy adjustment (minimum-median-maximum) ranged from 0.35 (beverages)-0.61-0.71 (dairy products). ANOVA intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with log-transformation and energy adjustment ranged from 0.49 (beverages)-0.74-0.82 (dairy products). Spearman's rank CCs with energy adjustment ranged from 0.43 (confectionery)-0.57-0.76 (dairy products). Weighted kappa statistics with energy adjustment ranged from 0.34 (confectionery)-0.49-0.71 (dairy products). For consumption of nutrients, Pearson's CCs with log-transformation and energy adjustment ranged from 0.23 (zinc)-0.55-0.74 (insoluble dietary fiber). ANOVA ICCs with log-transformation and energy adjustment ranged from 0.37 (zinc)-0.70-0.84 (insoluble dietary fiber). Spearman's rank CCs with energy adjustment ranged from 0.25 (zinc)-0.56-0.74 (magnesium). Weighted kappa statistics with energy adjustment ranged from 0.25 (zinc)-0.50-0.68 (insoluble dietary fiber). CONCLUSIONS: Substantially high reproducibility of consumption of foods and nutrients was attained from an SOFFQ self-administered to Japanese female dietitians.

Associations between physical strength, cerebral function and mental health in independent-living elderly Japanese women.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the physical strength, cerebral function, and mental health conditions in elderly persons, and to examine the correlation between these functions. METHODS: The subjects were 151 independent-living elderly Japanese women, mean age 70 +/-5 years (+/-SD; range, 60 to 80 years), with normal abilities in daily life. The health check-up was conducted from April to May 1997. Physical strength was estimated by measuring seven activities. Cerebral functions were assessed by six sub-tests of the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). Their mental health status was measured by four sub-scales of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-28. RESULTS: The physical strenght and almost all of the cerebral functions decreased with age. Social dysfunction and severe depression on the GHQ sub-scales also worsened with age. Physical strength was strongly correlated with cerebral functions after adjusting for the confounding effect of aging. There were also interrelations between physical strength and mental health. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided important information on the correlation between physical and mental status in elderly women. Future longitudinal studies with the intervention of physical training are required to determine whether a causal relationship exists between these factors.

Japanese versus Mediterranean Diets and Cancer.

Morbidity and mortality statistics, including incidences of fat-related cancers (FRCs), and dietary intake and sources of fats and oils were compared for Japanese, Mediterranean and American people. Incidences of FRCs, except for steeply increasing colon cancer, have remained low in Japan. Similarly, Mediterranean people enjoy relatively low risks of FRCs compared with American people. The low risks of FRCs in Japanese may be explained by limited intake of fats and oils as a whole, and a low ratio of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) versus n-3 PUFAs through consumption of the latter from marine foods. They also frequently consume vegetables and fruit, and dietary fiber. Mediterranean people moderately consume fats and oils from a large amount of olive oil, containing not only oleic acid but also polyphenols (including flavonoids), &mgr;-tocopherol and carotenoids (including &mgr;-carotene), which are antioxidants and anti-carcinogenic as in red wine, vegetables (including herbs) and fruit. The diet also features medium intake of fish and shellfish along with cereals/pasta/bread. From the standpoint of intake of total fat, the low risks of FRCs in Japanese seem "plausible," while the low risks in Mediterranean people may be termed "paradoxical." In summary, limited consumption of fats and oils, moderate intakes of marine foods, and vegetables and fruit, in line with a modest intake of energy may be advocated for promoting health, prolonging life and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases including FRCs.