Feasibility and effectiveness of a cognitive remediation programme with original computerised cognitive training and group intervention for schizophrenia: a multicentre randomised trial.

Devising new methods to improve neurocognitive impairment through cognitive remediation is an important research goal. We developed an original computer programme termed the Japanese Cognitive Rehabilitation Programme for Schizophrenia (JCORES) that provides cognitive practice across a broad range of abilities. The current study examined for the first time whether a cognitive remediation programme, including both computerised cognitive training using JCORES and group intervention such as enhancing meta-cognition and teaching strategies, is more effective than treatment as usual for improving neurocognitive and social functioning. Sixty-two outpatients with schizophrenia were randomised to either a cognitive remediation group or a control group. Participants engaged in two computerised cognitive training sessions and one group meeting per week for 12 weeks. The average number of total sessions attended (computerised cognitive practice + group intervention) was 32.3 (89.7%). The cognitive remediation group showed significantly more improvements in verbal memory, composite score of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia, Japanese version (BACS-J), and general psychopathology on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) than the control group. These findings demonstrate that a cognitive remediation programme is feasible in Japan and is a more effective way to improve neurocognitive functioning and psychiatric symptoms.

[Function and disease in manganese].

Manganese is a metal that has been known named a Greek word "Magnesia" meaning magnesia nigra from Roman Empire. Manganese provide the wide range of metablic function and the multiple abnomalities from its deficiency or toxicity. In 1931, the essentiality of manganese was demonstrated with the authoritative poor growth and declined reproduction in its deficiency. Manganese deficiency has been recognized in a number of species and its signs are impaired growth, impaired reproduction, ataxia, skeletal abnormalities and disorders in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Manganese toxicity is also acknowledged as health hazard for animals and humans. Here manganese nutrition, metabolism and metabolic function are summarized.

[Magnesium for nutrient].

Magnesium is essential nutrient. Here is magnesium for nutrient. Magnesium has a large number of biological or biochemical functions. It's distribution, absorption, deficiency, excess disorder, requirement, supply sources, and especially status and issue of magnesium intake in Japanese are reviewed.

Teores de carotenóides em produtos de tomate / Carotenoid contents in Brazilian tomato products

A composição dos carotenóides em produtos de tomate foi anteriormente determinada em nosso laboratório, utilizando-se cromatografia em coluna aberta. Em virtude da introdução de novas variedades de tomate, do desenvolvimento de novos produtos e dos avanços tecnológicos nas áreas de processamento e de técnicas analíticas, esses dados necessitavam ser atualizados. Neste contexto, no presente estudo determinou-se a composição de carotenóides em produtos de tomates por meio de técnica CLAE. As amostras de extrato, catchup, polpa, molho pronto e tomate seco foram adquiridas em supermercados em Campinas-SP. Para cada produto, foram adquiridos cinco lotes diferentes de cada uma das três marcas (no total de 65 amostras), em que cada lote foi composto por três embalagens coletadas ao acaso. As faixas de licopeno e de β-caroteno total (μg/g) foram, respectivamente, 188-261 e 9,3-13 para extrato, 111-203 e 5,1-7,0 para catchup, 77-117 e 4,4-73 para polpa, 93-112 e 5,1-6,4 para molho pronto e 231-471 e 7,0-25 para tomate seco. O tomate seco, que foi analisado pela primeira vez, apresentou os maiores teores de licopeno e luteína. Os teores 2 de β-caroteno do extrato e licopeno do extrato e catchup foram maiores nas amostras analisadas neste estudo, quando comparados com os resultados obtidos no trabalho anterior.

The carotenoid contents in Brazilian tomato produc0ts were previously determined at our laboratory byusing raw material. The data regarding the development of new products, the advances on processingtechnologies and analytical techniques, need to be updated. In this context, the present study was carried out in order to determine the carotenoid contents of processed tomato products by means of HPLC. Samples of ketchup, sauce, paste, pulp and dried tomato were purchased at supermarkets in Campinas, Brazil. Foreach product, five different lots from each of the three brands (a total of 65 samples) were purchased, each lot consisting of three randomly collected packages. The lycopene and β-carotene concentration ranges (μg/g) were 188-261 and 9.3-13 for paste, 111-203 and 5.1-7.0 for ketchup, 77-117 and 4.4-7.3 for pulp, 93-112 and 5.1-6.4 for sauce, 231-471 and 7.0-25 for dried tomato, respectively. Dried tomatoes, which were analyzed for the first time, showed the highest lycopene and lutein concentrations. β-carotene contents in the paste and lycopene contents in tomato paste and in ketchup samples analyzed by the present study were higher than those obtained in the previous investigation.

[Magnesium for nutrition].

Magnesium plays an essential role in a very wide range of fundamental cellular reactions. The deficiency in the organism may lead to serious biochemical and symptomatic changes. In 1932, McCollum and coworkers made the first systematic observations of magnesium deficiency in rats and dogs. In 1934, the first description of clinical depletion in man was published in patients with various underlying diseases. In the early 1950, Flink and coworkers documented depletion of magnesium ion in alcoholics and in patients on magnesium-free i.v. solutions. In this paper, the biochemical and nutritional function, and nutritional essentiality for magnesium are reviewed.

Values of water-soluble vitamins in blood and urine of Japanese young men and women consuming a semi-purified diet based on the Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes.

We investigated the levels of water-soluble vitamins except for vitamin B6 in the blood and urine of Japanese college male (n = 10) and female (n = 10) students. They consumed for 7 d a semi-purified diet based on Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes to assess the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for water-soluble vitamins and to present some new normal values for blood and urine levels of water-soluble vitamins in Japanese. The blood and the 24-h urine samples were collected on the last day of the experiment and measured. The values of total vitamin B1 in whole blood, total vitamin B2 in whole blood, total cyanocobalamin in serum, total nicotinamide in whole blood, total pantothenic acid in whole blood, total folates in serum, total biotin in serum, and ascorbic acid in plasma were 104+/-17 pmol/mL (mean+/-SD), 216+/-25 pmol/mL, 0.34+/-0.05 pmol/mL, 59.1+/- 5.0 nmol/ mL, 2.45+/-0.37 nmol/mL, 15.6+/-4.6 pmol/mL, 8.3+/-0.5 pmol/mL, and 62+/-10 nmol/mL, respectively, in males, and 90+/-23, 234+/-18, 0.67+/-0.20, 61.9+/-6.0, 2.48+/-0.30, 30.2+/-8.6, 8.4+/-0.3, and 67+/-14, respectively, in females. There was a significant difference in the values of cyanocobalamin and total folates between men and women. The urinary excretion of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, cyanocobalamin, sum of the catabolic metabolites of nicotinamide, pantothenic acid, folates, biotin, and ascorbic acid were 665+/-114 nmol/d, 562+/-325 nmol/d, 93+/-31 pmol/d, 84+/-26 micromol/d, 9.3+/-2.3 micromol/d, 19.4+/-2.8 nmol/d, 83+/-18 pmol/d, and 148+/-51 micromol/d, respectively, in males, and 495+/-212, 580+/-146, 145+/-49, 83+/-19, 16.9+/-1.3, 22.7+/-2.7, 83+/-23, and 140+/-51, respectively, in females. There was a significant difference in the urinary excretion of cyanocobalamin, pantothenic acid and total folates between men and women. These values will be useful for the nutritional assessment of water-soluble vitamins for Japanese, although the examination period was short. In future, an experiment with various age groups and re-evaluation by repeated experiments will provide more accurate values.

A study on spontaneously obese rat (Minko rat) with abnormal lipid metabolism, strength and mineral concentrations in bone.

OBJECTIVES: In view of the prevalence of osteoporosis in Japan, which surveys have shown has almost doubled over the last ten years, contributory factors, additional to the mineral status, that affect bone stiffness have been explored in spontaneously obese (Minko) rats. METHODS: Bone stiffness and strength as well as content of Mg, Ca, P, Na, K, and trace minerals in femurs were compared in male and female Minko rats, which have abnormal lipid metabolism. RESULTS: Mechanical study of femurs indicated that bone stiffness of male rats was significantly higher than that of female rats, but that Mg, Ca, P, Na, Zn, Sr and Fe concentrations in male rats were significantly lower than that of female rats, while S and K concentrations in male rats were significantly higher than that of female rats. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that bone strength isn't determined only by mineral concentrations such as Mg, Ca and P. We reported that the bone strength of "Minko Rats" was significantly higher than bone strength of control rats, but there was no significant difference of Ca and P concentrations between the two groups of rats.

Developed determination method of ultra trace elements and ultra trace element levels in plasma of rat fed low magnesium diet.

BACKGROUND: Homeostatic mechanisms keep plasma mineral concentrations largely unchangeable, and are not always reflective of the nutritional status. For that reason, nutritional assessment is difficult and another biological index may be of value. Recently, improvement of measuring instruments has permitted more accurate measurement of trace and ultra trace elements. METHODS: A new determination method for trace and ultra trace elements in rat plasma, that uses an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS Elan-6000, Perkin Elmer, Co., USA) without pre-treatment has enabled study of basic data of ultra trace element concentrations for the first time. RESULTS: The effect of low magnesium (Mg) intake, as compared with the effect of a normal diet, status of 10 trace and ultra trace element status was studied in 12 young male Wistar rats (3-weeks-old), divided into two groups and fed a normal diet or low Mg diet for 4 weeks. The plasma was diluted with ultra pure water (TAMAPURE-AA: Tama Chemical Co., Japan). Ten trace and ultra trace element (As: 75, Se: 82, Rb: 85, Sr: 87, Mo: 95, Ba: 137, Ta: 181, Ir: 193, Au: 197, Pb: 208) concentrations in the plasma were measured with ICP-MS Elan 6000. As, Rb, Sr, Ta, Ir and Au concentrations were significantly high in the plasma of low Mg rats, compared to levels in rats fed normal diets. Essentiality for mammals has been certified for Se, Rb, Mo, As and Pb, but not yet for Sr, Ba, Au, Ir and Ta. CONCLUSIONS: These results prove that trace and ultra trace element concentrations in plasma are changeable by nutritional conditions, and suggest that new physiological functions may be found for these elements, and that they may be proved to be essential for mammals.

Measurement of retinoids and beta-carotene 15,15'-dioxygenase activity in HR-1 hairless mouse skin with UV exposure.

We investigated the vitamin A status and beta-carotene 15,15'-dioxygenase activity in hairless mice with UV exposure to assess the regulation of vitamin A metabolism after UV irradiation. HR-1 hairless mice were irradiated with UV at 3 J/cm2 for 5 d. After UV irradiation, the mice were sacrificed and samples were obtained to analyze the retinoid concentration, expression of RXR-alpha, and beta-carotene 15,15'-dioxygenase activity. After UV exposure, the skin retinoid concentration was significantly lower as well as the expression of RXR-alpha. Higher skin beta-carotene dioxygenase activity was observed in the UV group as compared to the control group. We found no significant differences in the alpha-tocopherol concentration or acrolein levels in the skins of the two groups. In conclusion, the elevation of beta-carotene 15,15'-dioxygenase activity in hairless mice after UV exposure may be a response to reduction of the skin retinoid concentration.

Carotenoid composition of hydroponic leafy vegetables.

Because hydroponic production of vegetables is becoming more common, the carotenoid composition of hydroponic leafy vegetables commercialized in Campinas, Brazil, was determined. All samples were collected and analyzed in winter. Lactucaxanthin was quantified for the first time and was found to have concentrations similar to that of neoxanthin in the four types of lettuce analyzed. Lutein predominated in cress, chicory, and roquette (75.4 +/- 10.2, 57.0 +/- 10.3, and 52.2 +/- 12.6 microg/g, respectively). In the lactucaxanthin-containing lettuces, beta-carotene and lutein were the principal carotenoids (ranging from 9.9 +/- 1.5 to 24.6 +/- 3.1 microg/g and from 10.2 +/- 1.0 to 22.9 +/- 2.6 microg/g, respectively). Comparison of hydroponic and field-produced curly lettuce, taken from neighboring farms, showed that the hydroponic lettuce had significantly lower lutein, beta-carotene, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin contents than the conventionally produced lettuce. Because the hydroponic farm had a polyethylene covering, less exposure to sunlight and lower temperatures may have decreased carotenogenesis.

Geographical variation in nutrient intake between urban and rural areas of Jiangsu province, China and development of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for middle-aged inhabitants.

The intake of food and nutrients differs between urban and rural areas in China. To develop a practical semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to cover both the urban and rural areas, we conducted diet surveys and compared food and nutrient intake between the two areas. We recruited 198 urban and 214 rural healthy inhabitants aged 35-55 years, and performed diet surveys, using a 3-day weighed dietary record approach. The intake of 29 nutrients was calculated according to actual consumption of foods, with Standard Food Composition Tables for China and Japan. Then, contribution analysis and multiple regression analysis were employed to select food items covering up to a 90% contribution and a 0.90 R2 of coefficient of determination, respectively. Consumption of energy and carbohydrates was greater in the rural area, but mean protein intake was higher in the urban case. Values for total fat were greater for rural than for urban males, with animal fat as the major contributor. We finally selected 117 and 76 food items for the urban and rural semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires, respectively, covering 18 and 27 nutrients constituting up to 90% of the nutrient intake. Further validity and reproducibility tests are now needed to assess their appropriateness for usage.

Carotenoids of tomato and tomato paste: verification of the occurence of y-carotene

Tomato and tomato paste are among the most consumed foodstuffs worldwide. Although their carotenoid compositions have been widely determined, some inconsistencies can be discerned in the literatura. In Brazil, y-carotene was detected in fresh tomato but not in various tomato products, using open column chromatography (OCC). On the other hand, very high amounts of this carotenoid were obtained in American tomato products, using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thus, this work was carried out to verify if the difference in data was due to natural variation or an artifact of the analysis. In fresh tomato, 11 carotenoids were identified: trans-lycopene, phytoene, phytofluene, B-carotene, lutein, 13-cis-lycopene, 15-cis-lycopene, y-carotene, trans-Ç-carotene, cis-Ç-carotene, and neurosporene. In tomato paste, aside from the mentioned carotenoids, cis-B-carotene and four unidentified carotenoids were also detected. y-Carotene was found in comparable concentrations in Brazilian and American tomato pastes, at levels much lower than B-carotene, apparently below the detection limit of OCC. The removal of the peel and the maturity stage of the fresh tomatoes could not explain the loss of y-carotene in Brazilian tomato pastes, indicating that dagradation was involved. The results do not lend support to the high levels of y-carotene in American tomato products. (AU)

Tomate e extrato de tomate estão entre os alimentos mais consumidos no mundo. Embora assuas composições de carotenóides tenham sido amplamente determinadas, algumas inconsistências podem ser verificadas na literatura. No Brasil, usando cromatografia em coluna aberta (CCA), o γ-caroteno foi detectado em tomate fresco, mas não em vários produtos de tomate. Por outro lado, altas quantidades deste carotenóide foram relatados em produtos de tomate americanos, usando cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). Assim, este trabalho foi realizado para verificar se a diferença nos dados é devido à variação natural ou um artefato da análise. Em tomate fresco foram identificados trans-licopeno, fitoeno, fitoflueno, ß-caroteno, luteína, 13-cis-licopeno, 15-cis-licopeno, γ-caroteno, trans-ζ-caroteno, cis-ζ-caroteno, e neurosporeno. Em extrato de tomate, além destes carotenóides, foram detectados o cis-ß-caroteno e quatro carotenóides não identificados. γ-Caroteno foi encontrado em concentrações comparáveis nos extratos de tomate brasileiros e americanos, a níveis muito menores que do ß-caroteno, aparentemente abaixo do limite de detecção do CCA. A remoção da pele e o estado de maturação do tomate fresco não justificariam a perda de γ-caroteno nos extratos de tomate brasileiros, indicando o envolvimento da degradação. Os resultados não corroboraram com os altos níveis de γ-caroteno reportados nos produtos de tomate americanos. (AU)

Sources of errors in the quantitative analysis of food carotenoids by HPLC

Varios factores hacen inherentemente difícil la determinación de carotenoides. A pesar de los avances en la instrumentación analítica, se pueden encontrar en la literatura internacional, discrepancias en los resultados cuantitativos relacionados a los carotenoides. Una gran parte de los errores provienen de las etapas precromatográficas tales como: esquema de muestreo que produce muestra representativa del lote en estudio; preparación de muestra que no mantenga la representatividad y garantice la homogeneidad de la muestra analítica; extracción incompleta; pérdidas físicas de los carotenoides durante las varias etapas, especialmente durante la partición o lavado y por absorción en las paredes de vidrios de los recipientes; isomerización y oxidación de los carotenoides durante el análisis. Sin embargo, a pesar de que actualmente el método escogido para análisis de carotenoides es HPLC, éste está sujeto a varias fuentes de errores, tales como: incompatibilidad del solvente de inyección y la fase móvil, resultando en picos distorsionados o divididos; identificación errónea; indisponibilidad, impureza e inestabilidad de los patrones de carotenoides; cuantificación de picos altamente superpuestos; baja recuperación de las columnas de HPLC; errores en la preparación de las soluciones de patrones y en el procedimiento de calibración; errores de cálculo. Se presentan ilustraciones de los posibles errores en la cuantificación de carotenoides por HPLC