Relationship between food group-specific intake and depression among local government employees in Japan

BACKGROUND

We aimed to examine the relationship between food group-specific intake and depression among workers in Japan.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was administered to 568 workers in 2020; 503 workers responded and 423 were included in the study. Information on sex, age, body mass index, overtime hours, sleep duration, marital status, employment position, exercise habits, smoking status, incidence of depression, and intake of energy, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, alcohol, and specific food groups were collected. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to assess the presence and severity of depression. Food group-specific intake was adjusted for energy intake using the residual method and classified into low, moderate, and high by sex. Logistic regression was used to examine the odds ratios (ORs) and trends according to sex, with the presence/absence of depression as the dependent variable and food group-specific intake as the independent variable.

RESULTS

Men in the eggs low-intake, and women in the other vegetables low- and moderate-intake and eggs moderate-intake groups had significantly higher adjusted ORs (aORs) for depression. Additionally, a dose-response relationship was observed, where the OR for depression was significantly higher in men when the intake of eggs was low (p for trend = 0.024) and in women when the intakes of other vegetables (p for trend = 0.011) and eggs (p for trend = 0.032) were low.

CONCLUSIONS

The intake of eggs in men and eggs and vegetables in women may be related to depression.

Exposure to prolonged sedentary behavior on weekdays rather than weekends in white-collar workers in comparison with blue-collar workers

OBJECTIVES

Objectively measured sedentary behavior (SB) on weekdays and weekends has been mainly assessed in white-collar workers, while data in blue-collar workers are sparse. Therefore, this study presented the difference in accelerometer-measured SB levels between weekdays and weekends, stratified by white- and blue-collar occupations.

METHODS

This study was a sub-analysis of accelerometer data from 73 workers (31 blue-collar and 42 white-collar) at a Japanese manufacturing plant. SB was defined as ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents estimated using an accelerometer, and compared between weekdays and weekends by using mixed models adjusted for confounders. The proportion of workers who sat for ≤8 h/day on weekdays and weekends were compared using McNemar's test.

RESULTS

In white-collar workers, SB time on weekdays was significantly longer than that on weekends (598 vs 479 min/day, P < .001). In blue-collar workers, there was no significant difference in SB time between weekdays and weekends (462 vs 485 min/day, P = .43). The proportion of workers who achieved the recommended SB levels (≤8 h) was only 4.8% for white-collar workers on weekdays and 54.8% on weekends (P = .04), while that of blue-collar workers was 45.2% and 58.1% respectively (P > .99).

CONCLUSIONS

White-collar workers were exposed to significantly longer SB time on weekdays than on weekends, which was not the case in blue-collar workers. It may be rather challenging for white-collar workers to limit their SB time to the level recommended by the latest guidelines for better health, especially on weekdays.

[Validity and reliability of the Work-related Physical Activity Questionnaire for assessing intensity-specific physical activity and sedentary behavior in the workplace]

OBJECTIVE

We developed the Work-related Physical Activity Questionnaire (WPAQ) to measure occupational physical activity, including sedentary behavior and sedentary breaks (interruptions of prolonged sedentary behavior), during work. This study aimed to examine the WPAQ's reliability and criterion validity using an accelerometer.

METHODS

To examine criterion validity, 97 full-time factory workers (male: 89.7%) wore a triaxial accelerometer while working and completed the WPAQ. The questionnaire inquired about participants' normal work activities and the proportion of sitting, standing, walking, and heavy labor engaged in during work. In calculating time spent in each behavior, the proportion of each occupational activity was multiplied by the total minutes of work. Duration of uninterrupted sitting time was also measured. For reliability, the same questionnaire was administered twice (median test-retest interval: 9 days) to another convenient sample of 54 participants. Spearman's ρ was used to assess validity and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Cohen's kappa with quadratic weighing were used to assess reliability.

RESULTS

The criterion validity of occupational sitting time measured by the WPAQ was moderate (Spearman's ρ for sedentary behavior: 0.69) based on comparison with accelerometer data. Significant positive correlations were found for standing (ρ = 0.66) and walking (ρ = 0.39) between the WPAQ and accelerometer data, though not for heavy labor. A moderate but significant correlation (ρ = 0.27) was found for sedentary breaks. Test-retest reliability for all items was adequate (ICC = 0.59-0.79 for occupational sedentary behavior and physical activities, and Cohen's kappa with quadratic weighting = 0.84 for sedentary breaks).

CONCLUSIONS

The WPAQ has acceptable properties for measuring workers' activities, including sedentary breaks. Reduced physical activity, increased time spent in sedentary behaviors, and fewer sedentary breaks during working time are all associated with adverse health outcomes. Though some occupational exposure to these activities might be unavoidable, the WPAQ may be a practical tool for assessing them.

Bout Length-Specific Physical Activity and Adherence to Physical Activity Recommendations among Japanese Adults

We aimed to clarify the patterns of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in the Japanese adult population, and the proportion of people meeting the recommendations of the Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) for Americans, second edition (2nd PAG; ≥150 min/week of total MVPA including bouts of any length) and those meeting the previously recommended PAG (2008-PAG; of ≥150 min/week of total MVPA lasting 10 min or longer [long-bout MVPA]). A total of 204 adults (aged 18 to 64 years) from two workplaces were asked to wear an accelerometer. MVPA was classified by bout length, and the proportion of long-bout MVPA was clarified. The proportion of participants adhering to the 2008-PAG and the 2nd PAG recommendations was calculated. Valid data was obtained from 184 adults. Long-bout MVPA accounted for 13.4% of total MVPA. Our results showed that 12.5% of individuals performed MVPA as recommended by the 2008-PAG whereas 92.4% performed MVPA as recommended by the 2nd PAG. Our results, hence, showed that long-bout MVPA comprised only a small proportion of total MVPA, and the proportion of individuals who satisfied the criteria stated in the guidelines (≥150 min/week) significantly changed by whether or not bout length of MVPA was taken into account.

Comparison of accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior, and light- and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity in white- and blue-collar workers in a Japanese manufacturing plant

OBJECTIVE

The times spent in sedentary behavior (SB) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are independently associated with health outcomes; however, objective data on physical activity levels including SB among different occupations is limited. We compared accelerometer-measured times spent in SB, light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and MVPA, and the patterns associated with prolonged bouts of SB between white- and blue-collar workers.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 102 full-time plant workers (54 white-collar and 48 blue-collar) who wore a triaxial accelerometer during waking hours for 5 working days. Accelerometer-measured activity levels were categorized as SB (≤1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs)), LPA (1.6-2.9 METs), and MVPA (≥3.0 METs). A sedentary bout was defined as consecutive minutes during which the accelerometer registered less than ≤1.5 METs. Accelerometer variables were compared between white- and blue-collar workers through analysis of covariance.

RESULTS

During working hours, white-collar workers spent significantly more time in SB and less time in LPA than blue-collar workers (SB: 6.4 h vs. 4.8 h, 73% vs. 55% of total work time; LPA: 1.9 h vs. 3.5 h, 22% vs. 40% of total work time, p<.001), whereas the MVPA time was similar between the groups. White-collar workers spent significantly more SB time in prolonged sedentary bouts (≥30 min) compared to blue-collar workers. During leisure time, the SB, LPA, and MVPA times were similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

White-collar workers have significantly longer SB times than blue-collar workers during work hours, and do not compensate for their excess SB during work by reducing SB during leisure time.

[Parent-child relationships and mindfulness]

Psychological approaches such as mindfulness-based stress reduction or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy could be effective for relieving a wide range of psychosocial stresses or frictions between parents and children. Several interventional approaches based on mindfulness have been shown to be useful for improving parent-child relationships not only among healthy families but also among those with difficult psychopathologies. Particularly in the relationships of parents with their children with developmental disorders such as autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders, these approaches may play an important role in that the motivations of both parents and children could be enhanced because they can actually feel that their mental condition improves through meaningful parent-child interactions that they experience in their daily lives. These approaches are also expected to improve communications between mothers and children through the development of a finely honed sensitivity. One practical example is shown for the mental growth of children by the mindfulness-based dietary education and the secondary effects of this education on the parents. We can also apply these effective methods to the improvement of general interpersonal relationships.

Association between perceived neighborhood environment and walking among adults in 4 cities in Japan

BACKGROUND

Recent research highlights the importance of environment as a determinant of physical activity; however, evidence among Japanese is sparse. The aim of this study was to examine the association between perceived neighborhood environment and neighborhood walking for multiple purposes among Japanese.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study of 1461 Japanese adults (age: 48.2 +/- 14.1 years, men: 44.8%). Neighborhood environment and walking were assessed by a validated questionnaire. The odds ratio of active walkers was calculated in relation to environmental characteristics after adjustment for age, sex, and other potential confounders.

RESULTS

Participants were more likely to walk when they perceived that there was high residential density (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.96), fair land use mix-diversity (1.37, 1.04-1.81), good walking/cycling facilities (1.56, 1.19-2.04), and attractive aesthetics (1.49, 1.14-1.95). Environmental factors associated with walking differed with respect to the purpose for walking. The environmental characteristics associated with walking for daily errands and with walking for commuting were similar, and included residential density and land use mix. Walking for leisure was associated with walking/cycling facilities, aesthetics, and traffic safety. Stratified analyses showed some sex-specific associations. Among women, there was an unexpected inverse association of leisure walking with both residential density and land use mix-diversity.

CONCLUSIONS

The association between neighborhood environment and walking differed by walking purpose. The results were generally consistent with those of studies conducted in Western countries, except for the association of high residential density and good land use mix-diversity with less leisure walking in women. These results suggest possible targets for environmental interventions to promote walking.

Microvascular distribution and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in bovine cystic follicles

The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of microvessels in the theca and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the theca and granulosa of cystic follicles. Paraffin sections of cystic follicles were stained with Bandeiraea simplicifolia-I (BS-I) to visualize the endothelial cells of microvessels. The other sections were immunostained with anti-VEGF antibody. The mRNA expression of VEGF in the theca interna of cystic and healthy follicle was determined by RT-PCR. In the theca interna, cystic follicles with granulosa cells had significantly greater microvessel number density (the number of microvessels per given field) and area (area occupied by microvessels per given area) than healthy follicles in various sizes (<3, 4-8, >9 mm). Loss of granulosa cells from cystic follicles resulted in a similar number density, but significantly smaller area of microvessels in the theca interna. There was no significant difference in the microvessel number density and area of the theca externa between the types of follicle. VEGF protein was expressed in the granulosa and theca interna of healthy and cystic follicles. These results demonstrate that cystic follicles have a highly developed vasculature network in the theca interna, especially in cystic follicles containing granulosa cells. It is also suggested that VEGF is highly expressed in the cystic follicle as well as healthy follicle, which may be associated with advanced vasculature and the accumulation of follicular fluid in cystic follicles.

Long and accurate PCR with a mixture of KOD DNA polymerase and its exonuclease deficient mutant enzyme

DNA polymerase from Thermococcus kodakaraensis KOD1 (previously Pyrococcus sp. KOD1) is one of the most efficient thermostable PCR enzymes exhibiting higher accuracy and elongation velocity than any other commercially available DNA polymerase [M. Takagi et al. (1997) Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63, 4504-4510]. However, when long distance PCR (>5 kbp) was performed with KOD DNA polymerase, amplification efficiency (product yield) becomes lower because of its strong 3'-5' exonuclease activity for proof-reading. In order to improve a target length limitation in PCR, mutant DNA polymerases with decreased 3'-5' exonuclease activity were designed by substituting amino acid residues in conserved exonuclease motifs, Exo I (Asp141-Xaa-Glu), Exo II (Asn210-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Phe-Asp), and Exo III (Tyr311-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Asp). Exonuclease activity and amplification fidelity (error rate) of the DNA polymerases were altered by mutagenesis. However, long and accurate PCR by a single-type of mutant DNA polymerase was very difficult. The wild-type DNA polymerase (WT) and its exonuclease deficient mutant (N210D) were mixed in different ratio and their characteristics in PCR were examined. When the mixed enzyme (WT and N210D) was made at the ratio of 1:40, long PCR (15 kbp) at lower mutation frequency could be efficiently achieved.

Analysis of the proliferative potential of tumor cells after stereotactic radiosurgery for recurrent astrocytic tumors

We analyzed the effectiveness of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for recurrent astrocytic tumors histologically. Five patients were followed by pathological examination after radiosurgery treatment of recurrent astrocytic tumors. Histological diagnoses at the time of the last operation before SRS were Daumas-Duport grade II in two patients and grade IV (glioblastoma) in three patients. No histological diagnoses at the time of SRS were identified in any patients. Contrast enhanced lesions enlarged gradually on magnetic resonance (MR) images after SRS, and local control by SRS was judged as progressive disease radiologically in all patients. Four of five patients received re-operation after SRS, and the other patient died without re-operation and underwent post-mortem examination. After SRS, Ki-67 labeling indices (LIs) of recurrent astrocytomas initially diagnosed as grade II were 2.6% and 1.1%. These LIs were relatively lower than those of the control group of patients with recurrent grade II astrocytomas that were not treated by SRS. Ki-67 LIs of three glioblastomas after SRS were 23.5%, 18.6%, and 17.8%. These LIs were significantly lower than those before SRS (2.3%, 4.5%, and 0.9%). In the autopsy case, there was a significant difference between the LI of tumor cells in the radiosurgically treated region (0.9%) and that in the untreated region (29.2%). These results suggest that the proliferative potential of malignant astrocytic tumors in the radiosurgically treated area is reduced after SRS, and that radiological enlargement of enhanced lesions on MR images is due to propagation of the residual tumor cells that were not covered by radiosurgical target volume or to radiation necrosis. SRS may be a useful therapeutic tool in multidisciplinary treatment of malignant gliomas.

Surgical transvenous embolization of a cortically draining carotid cavernous fistula via a vein of the sylvian fissure

Percutaneous transvenous embolization is one of the most effective treatments of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) involving the dural sinuses. We present a unique case of surgical transvenous embolization in a 48-year-old man with a dural AVF of the cavernous sinus who presented with intracerebral hematoma. The dural AVF drained only into the vein of the sylvian fissure on angiography. Transvenous embolization via the vein of the sylvian fissure during craniotomy obliterated the AVF completely.

Characterization of DNA polymerase from Pyrococcus sp. strain KOD1 and its application to PCR

The DNA polymerase gene from the archaeon Pyrococcus sp. strain KOD1 (KOD DNA polymerase) contains a long open reading frame of 5,013 bases that encodes 1,671 amino acid residues (GenBank accession no. D29671). Similarity analysis revealed that the DNA polymerase contained a putative 3'-5' exonuclease activity and two in-frame intervening sequences of 1,080 bp (360 amino acids; KOD pol intein-1) and 1,611 bp (537 amino acids; KOD pol intein-2), which are located in the middle of regions conserved among eukaryotic and archaeal alpha-like DNA polymerases. The mature form of the DNA polymerase gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant enzyme was purified and characterized. 3'-5' exonuclease activity was confirmed, and although KOD DNA polymerase's optimum temperature (75 degrees C) and mutation frequency (3.5 x 10(-3)) were similar to those of a DNA polymerase from Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu DNA polymerase), the KOD DNA polymerase exhibited an extension rate (100 to 130 nucleotides/s) 5 times higher and a processivity (persistence of sequential nucleotide polymerization) 10 to 15 times higher than those of Pfu DNA polymerase. These characteristics enabled the KOD DNA polymerase to perform a more accurate PCR in a shorter reaction time.

cDNA cloning and differential gene expression of three catalases in pumpkin

Three cDNA clones (cat1, cat2, cat3) for catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) were isolated from a cDNA library of pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) cotyledons. In northern blotting using the cDNA-specific probe, the cat1 mRNA levels were high in seeds and early seedlings of pumpkin. The expression pattern of cat1 was similar to that of malate synthase, a characteristic enzyme of glyoxysomes. These data suggest that cat1 might encode a catalase associated with glyoxysomal functions. Furthermore, immunocytochemical analysis using cat1-specific anti-peptide antibody directly showed that cat1 encoding catalase is located in glyoxysomes. The cat2 mRNA was present at high levels in green cotyledons, mature leaf, stem and green hypocotyl of light-grown pumpkin plant, and correlated with chlorophyll content in the tissues. The tissue-specific expression of cat2 had a strong resemblance to that of glycolate oxidase, a characteristic enzyme of leaf peroxisomes. During germination of pumpkin seeds, cat2 mRNA levels increased in response to light, although the increase in cat2 mRNA by light was less than that of glycolate oxidase. cat3 mRNA was abundant in green cotyledons, etiolated cotyledons, green hypocotyl and root, but not in young leaf. cat3 mRNA expression was not dependent on light, but was constitutive in mature tissues. Interestingly, cat1 mRNA levels increased during senescence of pumpkin cotyledons, whereas cat2 and cat3 mRNAs disappeared during senescence, suggesting that cat1 encoding catalase may be involved in the senescence process. Thus, in pumpkin, three catalase genes are differentially regulated and may exhibit different functions.

Reconstruction of the skull base using a silicone plate during transsphenoidal surgery

Our operative experience of reconstruction of the skull base using a silicone plate during rhinoseptoplastic transsphenoidal surgery is described. A suitably shaped plate can be easily and quickly made from a large silicone block of the type that is widely used in cosmetic surgery. The plates can be distinguished on magnetic resonance images postoperatively. We consider that this technique is of use not only for repairing the sellar floor, but also for closing a wide defect of the skull base.

Brachycephalic, serrated curettes for anterior cervical spinal microsurgery. Technical note

Modified spinal fusion curettes with two unusual features on the tip are described for anterior cervical procedures. The features are: 1) an elliptical, long sidewise ("brachycephalic") scoop at the tip and 2) a serration equipped on the distal scoop edge. These designs allow reliable manipulation and significant removal of the intervertebral space contents in the deep operative field under the microscope.

Cerebellopontine angle epidermoid tumor extending into the upper cervical spinal canal--case report

A 61-year-old male with right facial pain and hearing loss was found to have a cerebellopontine angle epidermoid tumor that extended downward through the foramen magnum into the upper cervical spinal canal. The tumor was removed except for a small fragment of its capsule adherent to the brainstem. Only three such tumors with caudal extension have been reported.

[Traumatic arteriovenous fistula with feeders of the scalp, dura mater and pia mater: case report]

A very rare case of 41-year-old male with symptomatic dural arteriovenous fistula which was detected after 22 years from receiving head injury is reported. This AVF had arterial blood supply of scalp, dural and pial origins. In the literature, only two similar cases have so far been reported. The draining veins were the superior sagittal sinus and the vein of Trolard, and a large vascular sac was seen in the pial vein.

[Change of plasma volume on patients treated by induced hypertension therapy for vasospasm]

Plasma volume, central venous pressure and water balance of 24 patients were measured about 1st and 2nd week after early operation for the ruptured aneurysms. All of the patients had been treated by induced hypertension therapy for delayed vasospasm successfully. Plasma volume was measured by RI method using RISA. The average of plasma volume of 16 patients was 58.3 +/- 6.0 ml/kg. This group had 200 ml of 25% albumin every day. It was 48.2 +/- 6.2 ml/kg on 8 patients without albumin. The average of CVP was 11.3 +/- 2.2 cm on the albumin group. It was 5.3 +/- 1.5 cm on the other group. The value of plasma volume and CVP was higher statistically on the albumin group than the other group. Water balance was positive on about half of the albumin group. It was negative on the other group. Three patients of the albumin group had pulmonary edema.

THE CONCLUSION

The state of patient's hydration is not hypovolemic, as far as the induced hypertension therapy is possible, even though patient's CVP is low and water blance is negative. Albumin lets the plasma volume increase easily. Therefore, the risk of pulmonary edema may rise when only unreliable CVP is used for the monitoring of plasma volume. Plasma volume measurement is indispensable to the monitoring of fluid management for vasospasm and plasma volume should be aimed at 55-60 ml/kg.

[A case of huge diploic epidermoid of the temporal bone with intratumoral hemorrhage]

A case of huge diploic epidermoid which occurred in the right temporal bone and occupied almost all of the middle fossa and a part of the posterior fossa. CT of the tumor showed a low density lesion with multiform isodensity spots and a rim enhancement by CECT. Histologically, multiple old blood clots were recognized in this tumor contents. A review of the literature was made as regards CT findings of diploic epidermoid.

[Transfer of fosfomycin into the cerebrospinal fluid]

After the fosfomycin (FOM) infusion, its levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were repeatedly measured in 8 cases without meningitis. 1. The peak concentration of FOM in CSF was 15.5 micrograms/ml with the average of 10.3 micrograms/ml and was reached at 240 minutes with the average of 210 minutes after the infusion. The biological half life time of FOM in CSF was 2 to 6.5 hours. 2. The peak concentration in CSF was compared with it in serum. The average ratio was 4.3 per cent. Each area under the curve (AUC) of FOM concentration in CSF and serum was calculated and average of their ratio was 9.0 per cent. 3. In a case with middle cerebral artery aneurysm, FOM transferred into CSF with ease. The lowest diffusion into the CSF was shown in 2 cases of meningioma. In 3 cases of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage with intraventricular perforation, FOM moderately transferred into CSF.

The levels of vasopressin in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with alcoholism

Concentrations of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 5 alcoholic patients and 6 healthy volunteers were determined by a radioimmunoassay. The concentrations of AVP in the CSF of alcoholic patients were 2.93-6.17 pg/ml (the mean value, 4.80 +/- 1.34 pg/ml) and those of healthy volunteers 3.80-12.59 pg/ml (the mean value, 9.87 +/- 3.19 pg/ml). The AVP level in the CSF of alcoholics was significantly lower than that of normals (P less than 0.02).