Traditional japanese diet score and the sustainable development goals by a global comparative ecological study.

BACKGROUND: Reducing the environmental impact of the food supply is important for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) worldwide. Previously, we developed the Traditional Japanese Diet Score (TJDS) and reported in a global ecological study that the Japanese diet is associated with reducing obesity and extending healthy life expectancy etc. We then examined the relationship between the TJDS and environmental indicators. METHODS: The average food (g/day/capita) and energy supplies (kcal/day/capita) by country were obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Statistics Division database. The TJDS was calculated from eight food groups (beneficial food components in the Japanese diet: rice, fish, soybeans, vegetables, and eggs; food components that are relatively unused in the traditional Japanese diet: wheat, milk, and red meat) by country using tertiles, and calculated the total score from - 8 to 8, with higher scores meaning greater adherence to the TJDS. We used Land Use (m2), Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 2007/2013 (kg CO2eq), Acidifying emissions (g SO2eq), Eutrophying emissions (g PO43- eq), Freshwater (L), and water use (L) per food weight by Poore et al. as the environmental indicators and multiplied these indicators by each country's average food supply. We evaluated the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between the TJDS and environmental indicators from 2010 to 2020. This study included 151 countries with populations ≥ 1 million. RESULTS: Land use (ß ± standard error; -0.623 ± 0.161, p < 0.001), GHG 2007 (-0.149 ± 0.057, p < 0.05), GHG 2013 (-0.183 ± 0.066, p < 0.01), Acidifying (-1.111 ± 0.369, p < 0.01), and Water use (-405.903 ± 101.416, p < 0.001) were negatively associated with TJDS, and Freshwater (45.116 ± 7.866, p < 0.001) was positively associated with TJDS after controlling for energy supply and latitude in 2010. In the longitudinal analysis, Land Use (ß ± standard error; -0.116 ± 0.027, p < 0.001), GHG 2007 (-0.040 ± 0.010, p < 0.001), GHG 2013 (-0.048 ± 0.011, p < 0.001), Acidifying (-0.280 ± 0.064, p < 0.001), Eutrophying (-0.132 ± 0.062, p < 0.05), and Water use (-118.246 ± 22.826, p < 0.001) were negatively associated with TJDS after controlling for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: This ecological study suggests that the traditional Japanese dietary pattern might improve SDGs except Fresh water.

Global relationship between Mediterranean diet and the incidence and mortality of ischaemic heart disease.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to clarify the global relationship between the Mediterranean diet score (MDS) and country-wise incidence and mortality of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) using an international database. METHODS: We used population data from a global longitudinal database covering 137 countries with a population of over one million. MDS were evaluated based on the total score of the nine foods that comprise the Mediterranean diet. The incidence and mortality of IHD by country was derived from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database. Average food (g/day/capita) and energy supply (kcal/day/capita) by country, excluding loss between production and household, were obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Statistics Division database. Data from the GBD database were used for body mass index, current smoking rates, physical activity, years of education and percentage of the Muslim population. We identified the percentage of the population over 65 years of age (aging rate) and gross domestic product per capita (US$/capita) using the World Bank database. A linear mixed-effect model was used for evaluating the effects of MDS on incidence and mortality of IHD controlled for socioeconomic and lifestyle variables. RESULTS: Analysis showed that MDS was significantly associated with IHD incidence after controlling for covariates (-1.01 ± 0.27, P < 0.001). Similarly, there was a significant association between MDS and IHD-related mortality after controlling for covariates (-0.73 ± 0.34, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Analysis of 27 years of data suggests that a Mediterranean diet might have a preventive effect on IHD.

Green tea and coffee intake and risk of cognitive decline in older adults: the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between green tea and coffee intake and cognitive decline in older adults. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. The average intake of green tea and coffee in the previous year was assessed through a dietitian interview using a dietary questionnaire. A Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was conducted up to six times biennially. Cognitive decline was screened using the MMSE; its incidence was defined as the first time a score of <27 points was obtained in a biennial test from the baseline. Hazard ratios for incidence of cognitive decline were estimated according to the intake of the two beverages using multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression, controlling for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. SETTING: The National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA) in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: Men (n 620) and women (n 685), aged 60-85 years, from the NILS-LSA. RESULTS: During a mean of 5·3 (sd 2·9) years of follow-up, 432 incident cases of cognitive decline were observed. Compared with participants who consumed green tea

Protein intake per day and at each daily meal and skeletal muscle mass declines among older community dwellers in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between protein intake per day and at different meals and skeletal muscle mass declines. DESIGN: Two-year prospective cohort study among older community dwellers. SETTING: National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA) in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: Older men (n 292) and women (n 363) aged 60-87 years who participated in the baseline (2006-2008) and follow-up studies (2008-2010) of NILS-LSA and did not exhibit low skeletal muscle mass at baseline. Muscle mass was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and follow-up. Low muscle mass was defined as skeletal muscle mass index <7·0 kg/m2 for men and <5·4 kg/m2 for women at follow-up. Daily protein intake and protein intake at each meal were calculated from 3 d dietary records at baseline and sex-stratified tertiles were determined. RESULTS: Mean (sd) protein intake at breakfast, lunch and dinner was 22·7 (7·8), 26·7 (9·3) and 37·4 (10·5) g for men and 19·3 (6·3), 23·2 (7·3) and 28·5 (7·0) g for women, respectively. After adjusting for age, baseline skeletal muscle mass and other confounders in logistic modelling, greater total protein intake was associated with lower prevalence of skeletal muscle mass decline among men at follow-up (P = 0·024). Particularly, the OR (95 % CI) for high lunchtime protein intake was low (0·11 (0·02, 0·61); P = 0·01). No significant association between total protein intake and prevalence of skeletal muscle mass decline was found among women. CONCLUSIONS: High total protein intake, particularly at lunchtime, is associated with retention of skeletal muscle mass in men.

Mediterranean diet score and incidence of IHD: a global comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to clarify the global relationship between Mediterranean diet score (MDS) and the incidence of IHD by country using international statistics. DESIGN: The incidence of IHD by country was derived from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database. Average supplies of food (g/d per capita) and energy (kcal/d per capita) by country, excluding loss between production and household, were obtained from the FAOSTAT database. MDS was evaluated based on the total score of nine food items that characterize the Mediterranean diet. The association between MDS and the incidence of IHD was examined in countries with a population of 1 million or greater using a general linear model controlled for socio-economic and lifestyle variables. SETTING: Population data from global international databases.ParticipantsOne hundred and thirty-two countries with a population of over 1 million. RESULTS: MDS was inversely correlated with obesity rate, ageing rate, years of education and IHD incidence; however, no associations were found with gross domestic product, life expectancy, smoking rate, energy supply or health expenditure. In the general linear model of IHD incidence by MDS controlled for socio-economic and lifestyle variables, the ß of the MDS was -26·4 (se 8·6; P<0·01). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this global international comparative study confirmed that the Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with the incidence of IHD.

Impact of mild orthostatic stress on aortic-cerebral hemodynamic transmission: insight from the frequency domain.

High cerebral pressure and flow fluctuations could be a risk for future cerebrovascular disease. This study aims to determine whether acute systemic vasoconstriction affects the dynamic pulsatile hemodynamic transmission from the aorta to the brain. We applied a stepwise lower body negative pressure (LBNP) (-10, -20, and -30 mmHg) in 15 young men to induce systemic vasoconstriction. To elucidate the dynamic relationship between the changes in aortic pressure (AoP; estimated from the radial arterial pressure waveforms) and the cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) at the middle cerebral artery (via a transcranial Doppler), frequency-domain analysis characterized the beat-to-beat slow oscillation (0.02-0.30 Hz) and the intra-beat rapid change (0.78-9.69 Hz). The systemic vascular resistance gradually and significantly increased throughout the LBNP protocol. In the low-frequency range (LF: 0.07-0.20 Hz) of a slow oscillation, the normalized transfer function gain of the steady-state component (between mean AoP and mean CBFV) remained unchanged, whereas that of the pulsatile component (between pulsatile AoP and pulsatile CBFV) was significantly augmented during -20 and -30 mmHg of LBNP (+28.8% and +32.4% vs. baseline). Furthermore, the relative change in the normalized transfer function gain of the pulsatile component at the LF range correlated with the corresponding change in systemic vascular resistance (r = 0.41, P = 0.005). Regarding the intra-beat analysis, the normalized transfer function gain from AoP to CBFV was not significantly affected by the LBNP stimulation (P = 0.77). Our findings suggest that systemic vasoconstriction deteriorates the dampening effect on the pulsatile hemodynamics toward the brain, particularly in slow oscillations (e.g., 0.07-0.20 Hz).NEW & NOTEWORTHY We characterized the pulsatile hemodynamic transmission from the heart to the brain by frequency-domain analysis. The low-frequency transmission was augmented with a mild LBNP stimulation partly due to the elevated systemic vascular resistance. A systemic vasoconstriction deteriorates the dampening effect on slow oscillations of pulsatile hemodynamics toward the brain.

Influence of single bout of aerobic exercise on aortic pulse pressure.

PURPOSE: Regular aerobic exercise has come to the forefront of non-pharmacological treatment for hypertension. In this line, post-exercise hypotension may have a potential tool for efficient blood pressure management. However, less is known about the influence of acute aerobic exercise on aortic pulse pressure (PP), an important property underlying the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. We tested the hypotheses that aortic PP would be attenuated with a single aerobic exercise and that its extent would be associated with the delayed return of reflected wave and the leg vasodilatory capacity. METHODS: In 23 apparent healthy men (22 ± 4 years), hemodynamic variables and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured before and 20 and 50 min after a 60-min bout of cycling exercise at moderate intensity (corresponding to 65-75 % heart rate reserve). Aortic pressure was estimated from applanation tonometrically measured radial arterial pressure waveform via general transfer function. Peak calf vascular dilatory capacity was measured with the ischemic exercise-induced hyperemia (via venous occlusion plethysmography). RESULTS: Finger, brachial, and aortic PP were significantly attenuated following the exercise. At 20 min after the exercise cessation, individual changes in aortic PWV significantly correlated with corresponding changes in aortic PP (r = 0.541, P < 0.05), but this correlation was no longer significant at 50 min after the exercise cessation. Peak calf vascular dilatory capacity was not associated with change in aortic PP. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in young men the aortic PP would be attenuated with the moderate-intensity dynamic exercise partly due to the delayed return of reflection wave from periphery.

Global Associations of the Traditional Japanese Diet Score with Hypertension Prevalence and Systolic Blood Pressure from 2009 to 2019: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Ecological Study.

OBJECTIVE: Prevention and improvement of hypertension is one of the most important health issues worldwide. The traditional Japanese diet contributes to the prevention of some non-communicable diseases associated with hypertension. However, whether traditional Japanese dietary patterns are associated with hypertension prevalence and systolic blood pressure (SBP) worldwide remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the traditional Japanese diet score (TJDS) is associated with hypertension prevalence and SBP. METHODS: This cross-sectional and longitudinal ecological study from 2009 to 2019 included 141 countries with a population of at least 1 million. All data used for analysis were obtained from internationally available databases. The TJDS was calculated using country-specific supplies of five foods commonly eaten in the traditional Japanese diet (rice, fish, soybean, vegetables, and egg) and three less commonly eaten foods (wheat, milk, and red meat). Hypertension was defined by SBP ≥140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, or use of antihypertensive medications. The mean SBP was >25 age-standardized data. A general linear model was used for the cross-sectional model in 2009, and a linear mixed model was used for the longitudinal analysis from 2009 to 2019. The covariates included gross domestic product, percentage of population aged >65 years, years of education, smoking rate, average body mass index, physical activity, and energy supply. RESULTS: The TJDS was negatively associated with hypertension prevalence (ß ± standard error: -0.861 ± 0.202, p < 0.001) and SBP (ß ± standard error: -0.364 ± 0.154, p < 0.05) in the cross-sectional analysis. The TJDS was significantly negatively associated with hypertension prevalence (ß ± standard error: -0.845 ± 0.200, p < 0.001) and SBP (ß ± standard error: -0.312 ± 0.149, p < 0.05) in the 10-year longitudinal analysis controlled for full covariables. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional Japanese dietary patterns are associated with lower hypertension prevalence and SBP worldwide.

Effects of acute resistance exercise on exhaled nitric oxide levels in non-asthmatic male.

Fractional nitric oxide (FeNO) is an index of eosinophilic airway inflammation. However, the effect of acute resistance exercise on FeNO is not completely known, in non-asthmatics. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of acute resistance exercise on FeNO levels in non-asthmatics. Ten participants completed both exercise and control sessions. The resistance exercise routine consisted of three sets of 10 repetitions, each at 75 % of the one-repetition maximum, including vertical chest press, lateral pull-down, leg press, leg extension, and abdominal exercises. Additionally, FeNO levels and respiratory impedance were measured, and blood samples were collected from each participant at baseline, immediately after exercise (post), and 30 min after exercise (post 30). At baseline, post, and post 30, the FeNO levels did not significantly differ between the exercise and control sessions (17.1 ± 4.7 vs. 18.5 ± 3.8 vs. 16.9 ± 3.8 ppb, respectively) and exercise sessions (16.6 ± 3.4 vs. 19.3 ± 7.6 vs. 18.3 ± 5.6 ppb, respectively). Therefore, acute resistance exercise lasting approximately 30 min did not exert an impact on FeNO levels.

Global Association between Traditional Japanese Diet Score and All-Cause, Cardiovascular Disease, and Total Cancer Mortality: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Ecological Study.

OBJECTIVE: Studies conducted on Japanese people have suggested that a traditional Japanese diet contributes to good health, longevity, and protection against several non-communicable diseases. However, it is unknown whether traditional Japanese dietary patterns are associated with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality globally. The purpose of this cross-sectional and longitudinal ecological study is to clarify the global association between the traditional Japanese diet score (TJDS) and all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and total cancer mortality. METHODS: Data on food supply and all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality, total cancer mortality, and covariables by country were obtained from a relevant internationally available database. TJDS by country was calculated from eight food groups and the total score ranged from -8 to 8, with higher scores indicating greater adherence to a traditional Japanese diet. We evaluated the cross-sectional and 10-year longitudinal association between TJDS and all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and total cancer mortality using 2009 as the baseline in 142 countries with populations of more than one million. A cross-sectional analysis and a longitudinal analysis were performed using three general linear models or three linear mixed models with different covariables. RESULTS: In cross-sectional models controlled for fully-adjusted covariables, TJDS was negatively associated with all-cause mortality (ß ± standard error; -43.819 ± 11.741, p < 0.001), cardiovascular disease mortality (-22.395 ± 4.638, p < 0.001), and total cancer mortality (-3.893 ± 1.048, p < 0.001). In 10-year longitudinal models controlled for fully-adjusted covariables, TJDS was significantly negatively associated with all-cause mortality (-31.563 ± 7.695, p < 0.001), cardiovascular disease mortality (-16.249 ± 4.054, p < 0.001), and total cancer mortality (-3.499 ± 0.867, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional and longitudinal ecological study suggests that the traditional Japanese diet is associated with lower all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality, and total cancer mortality, worldwide.

The Global Association between Egg Intake and the Incidence and Mortality of Ischemic Heart Disease-An Ecological Study.

The relationship between egg consumption and ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains controversial as there is still no clear answer regarding the relationship, with research limited to a few geographical regions. In the current study, we conducted a longitudinal analysis of the association between egg intake and IHD incidence (IHDi) and mortality (IHDd) using 28 years of international data from 1990 to 2018. Egg intake (g/day/capita) by country was obtained from the Global Dietary Database. Age-standard IHDi and IHDd rates per 100,000 subjects in each country were obtained from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease database. The analysis included a total of 142 countries with populations of at least one million, for which all data were available from 1990 to 2018. Eggs are consumed worldwide, and regional differences in consumption are also shown. Utilizing IHDi and IHDd as objective variables and egg intake as an explanatory variable, the analysis was conducted using linear mixed models, which controlled for inter- and intra-country variation from year to year. The results showed a significant negative association between egg intake, and IHDi (-0.253 ± 0.117, p < 0.05) and IHDd (-0.359 ± 0.137, p < 0.05). The analysis was carried out using R 4.0.5. The results suggest that adequate egg intake might suppress IHDi and IHDd on a global scale.

Validation of a dietary balance score in middle-aged and older community-dwelling Japanese.

This study assessed the validity of dietary balance scores (DBSs) by investigating the association between DBSs and nutrient adequacy (NA) in two Japanese populations. The participants were 65 community-dwelling Japanese from Tokushima Prefecture and 2,330 community-dwelling Japanese from Aichi Prefecture. Based on food frequency questionnaires or 3-day dietary records, we obtained 18 food groups. The NA score integrates nine beneficial nutrients and two nutrients that should be limited. We calculated four different DBSs: DBS1 consisted of five food groups (score range:0?20), DBS2 consisted of nine food groups (score range:0?36), DBS3 consisted of eight food groups (score range:0?32), and DBS4 consisted of 10 food groups (score range:0?40). Both the Spearman rank correlation coefficient with NA and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) for the nine beneficial nutrients were then estimated to test the performance of each DBS in predicting nutrient intake. The results showed that DBS1 and DBS4 were positively correlated with NA, while the AUC-ROC showed that DBS4 could moderately discriminate individuals with adequate intake levels of all nine nutrients. These findings suggest DBSs (especially DBS4) are useful in assessing dietary balance in middle-aged and older community-dwelling Japanese. J. Med. Invest. 70 : 377-387, August, 2023.

Mucosal immune function comparison between amenorrheic and eumenorrheic distance runners.

This study examined the effects of amenorrhea on mucosal immune function and susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in elite female distance runners. Based on their menstrual cycles during the prior year, 21 elite, collegiate, female distance runners were designated as eumenorrheic runners (ERs; n = 8; 19.9 ± 0.8 years) or amenorrheic runners (ARs; n n = 13; 20.0 ± 0.3 years). Resting saliva and blood samples were collected in the morning. The secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) concentration was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SIgA secretion rate was calculated. Serum 17ß-estradiol concentrations and serum progesterone concentrations were measured using radioimmunoassay. Subjects reported the appearance of URTI symptoms (sore throat, headache, runny nose, coughing, or fever), if any, during the prior month. The serum estradiol concentration and salivary SIgA secretion rate were significantly lower for ARs than for ERs (p < 0.05). Serum progesterone concentration was not significantly different between groups. Higher frequencies of headache, runny nose, coughing, and fever were observed in ARs than in ERs. Results show that athletic amenorrhea with low estrogen might accelerate downregulation of mucosal immune function in athletes and enhance susceptibility to infection.

Effect of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Intake on Eosinophil Airway Inflammation in University Athletes.

Background: Though athletes have a high risk of respiratory disorders, effective prevention has not yet to be identified. Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have some practical anti-inflammatory effects in allergy, and therefore may reduce airway inflammation in athletes. This study aimed to assess whether n-3 PUFA intake affects airway inflammation in university athletes. Methods: Twenty-three males were divided into three groups: 1) the eosinophilic airway inflammation group (I_PUFA group; fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO ≥ 25 ppb, n = 10); 2) the non-eosinophilic airway inflammation group (N_PUFA group; FeNO < 25 ppb, exhaled carbon dioxide (eCO) ≥ 3.6 ppm, n = 5); and 3) the control group (FeNO < 25 ppb, eCO < 3.6 ppm, n = 8). Participants took supplements containing 260 mg of docosapentaenoic acid and 600 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) daily for 3 weeks. Baseline measurements of FeNO, respiratory impedance, respiratory function, dietary intake (food frequency questionnaires), and blood tests were performed. FeNO and respiratory impedance were measured weekly, and the rest were measured after 3 weeks. Results: There was a significant decrease in FeNO levels from baseline at 2 and 3 weeks in the I_PUFA group (54.7 ± 8.5 ppb vs. 45.1 ± 9.1 and 45.4 ± 7.7 ppb; mean ± standard error (SE), P < 0.05). After 3 weeks, FeNO levels remained unchanged in the N_PUFA and control groups, and respiratory impedance and function remained unchanged in all groups. Blood EPA levels significantly increased in the I_PUFA and N_PUFA groups (I_PUFA, 27.7 ± 16.9 vs. 52.1 ± 12.3 µg/mL; N_PUFA, 20.8 ± 8.7 vs. 70.4 ± 36.1 µg/mL; mean ± standard deviation (SD), P < 0.05). No changes were observed in dietary intake over the 3 weeks. Conclusions: n-3 PUFA supplementation for 3 weeks reduced airway inflammation in athletes with FeNO levels ≥ 25 ppb.

Change in the association between coffee intake and ischemic heart disease in an international ecological study from 1990 to 2018.

In previous observational studies, the association between coffee intake and risk of cardiovascular disease has reversed from positive to negative over time. This long-term international ecological study examined whether the association between coffee intake and mortality and incidence rates of ischemic heart disease (IHD) changed between 1990 and 2018 using multiple coherent data. We obtained data on coffee intake per capita, IHD mortality and incidence rates per 100,000 population, and socioeconomic and lifestyle indicators for each country from various publicly available databases. We integrated and analyzed data from 147 countries with populations of ≥ 1 million. We employed a linear mixed model analysis to assess the association between coffee intake and IHD mortality and incidence rates by year. The mean global coffee intake increased (p < 0.001), whereas IHD mortality (p < 0.001) and incidence (p = 0.073) decreased. In all models, the interaction between coffee intake and year showed a significant inverse association for IHD mortality and incidence rates (p < 0.001 for all). The country-level association between coffee intake and IHD mortality and incidence rates between 1990 and 2018 was stronger in the negative direction.

Monocyte and T-cell responses to exercise training in elderly subjects.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise training on age-related impairment of immune parameters related to T-cell activation in elderly individuals. Twenty-four elderly subjects were assigned to an exercise training group (EXC: 3 men, 9 women; age 61-76 years) or a nonexercise control group (CON: 4 men, 8 women; age 62-79 years). Subjects in EXC participated in exercise sessions 2 d·wk(-1) for 12 weeks. The training session included stretching and endurance exercise (10 minutes), resistance training comprised leg extension, leg press, hip abduction, and hip adduction using exercise machine and each subject's body weight. Subjects in CON maintained their normal physical activity levels during the study period. Blood samples were collected before and after the training period. Samples were measured for the numbers of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes, and for CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD28(+)CD4(+), CD28(+)CD8(+), TRL-4(+)CD14(+), and CD80(+)CD14(+) cells. The number of leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) cells did not change after 12 weeks in either EXC or CON. The number of CD28(+)CD8(+) cells increased significantly after training in EXC (p ≤ 0.05), although CON showed no significant change. In the EXC group, CD80(+)CD14(+) cell counts were significantly higher after training (p ≤ 0.05), but the TLR-4(+)CD14(+) cell counts were unchanged. In the CON group, no significant alteration existed in TLR-4(+)CD14(+) and CD80(+)CD14(+) cell numbers. In conclusion, exercise training in elderly people is associated with increased CD28-expressing Tc cells and CD80-expressing monocytes. Therefore, exercise training might upregulate monocyte and T-cell-mediated immunity in elderly people.

Changes in the association between the traditional Japanese diet score and suicide rates over 26 years: A global comparative study.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the global association between the Traditional Japanese Diet Score and suicide rate. METHODS: Average food supply and energy supply by country were obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Statistics Division database (FAOSTAT). Traditional Japanese Diet Score (TJDS) was calculated from food group classifications. Age-standardized suicide rates per 100,000 people by country were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 database. The 26-year associations between TJDS and suicide rates were examined controlling for covariates using a mixed-effects model in 138 countries with populations of 1 million or greater. RESULTS: A significant negative association was found in the analysis of the relationship between TJDS and the prevalence of suicide [ß (se) = -0.126 (0.031), p < 0.001]. The interaction term between TJDS and year was also significant [ß (se) = -0.011 (0.003), p < 0.001]. The change in the effect of TJDS on suicide rates by year was examined. The effect of TJDS was not significant from 1991 to 1999 but became significant after 2000; the slope of the TJDS to suicide rate in 2017 was -0.270 (95% confidence interval -0.382, -0.169, p < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: This was a national ecological study and did not consider individual differences in sex, age, and lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: TJDS may be is a protective factor for depression, which may prevent suicide. The association between TJDS and suicide rates became stronger over time and was inversely associated with suicide rates after 2000.

Trends in age-standardised prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus according to country from 1990 to 2017 and their association with socioeconomic, lifestyle and health indicators: An ecological study.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for global public health strategies to effectively curb the ever-growing global diabetes population. This longitudinal ecological study was conducted to elucidate the country-specific trends of the age-standardised prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and their association with socioeconomic, lifestyle and health indicators. METHODS: Data pertaining to the age-standardised prevalence of T2DM (rates per 100 000) and socioeconomic, lifestyle and health indicators were obtained from several international databases. Data available from 1990 to 2017 for 139 countries with populations of 1 million or greater were analysed, followed by estimation of slopes for T2DM prevalence in each country. The longitudinal association between T2DM and the standardised variables of socioeconomic, lifestyle and health indicators was fitted using a generalised linear mixed-effects model with random intercept for each country and random slope for year. RESULTS: The country-specific age-standardised prevalence of T2DM decreased significantly in 9 countries, remained unchanged in 11 countries and increased significantly in 119 countries. The estimated standardised effect of age-standardised education for T2DM was the largest at -524.5 (SE; 109.9), followed by -514.8 (SE; 95.6) for physical activity and 398.8 (SE; 45.8) for body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.0001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The factors largely associated with global T2DM prevalence and trends were years of education, followed by physical activity and BMI. This study also provides basic resources for examining public health approaches to curb the increase in global T2DM prevalence.

Intake of isoflavones reduces the risk of all-cause mortality in middle-aged Japanese.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To clarify the effects of intake of legumes and isoflavones on all-cause mortality in middle-aged and older Japanese. SUBJECT/METHODS: The subjects were 2136 randomly chosen community-dwelling Japanese men and women aged 40-79 years who participated in a first-wave survey (1997-2000; baseline). The subjects were followed from baseline to December 31, 2017 (mean period of 16.6 ± 4.2 years). Intake of legumes, soybeans, and isoflavones at baseline was assessed using a 3-day dietary record with photographs. The relationships of intake amounts of legumes and isoflavones to mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression controlling for age, sex, education, employment, body mass index, smoking habits, medical histories, drinking, and energy intake. RESULTS: There were 491 deaths during the follow-up period. We found inverse associations of the intake of total soy products and intake of each of the isoflavones with all-cause mortality (p for trend < 0.05) in subjects aged < 60 years: the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for all-cause mortality in the highest intake group (third tertile) of total soy products and total isoflavones were 0.32 (0.13-0.78) and 0.35 (0.17-0.73), respectively, compared with the reference group (first tertile). In contrast, there were no significant associations of intake amounts of legumes, soybeans, and isoflavones with all-cause mortality in subjects aged 60 years or older. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that a higher intake of isoflavones might decrease the risk of all-cause mortality, especially in middle-aged Japanese.

A longitudinal association between the traditional Japanese diet score and incidence and mortality of breast cancer-an ecological study.

BACKGROUND: The traditional Japanese diet is considered one of the important factors of health and longevity in Japanese people. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world. However, the association between the traditional Japanese diet and breast cancer is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal association between the traditional Japanese diet score (TJDS) with the incidence and mortality of breast cancer in an ecological study. METHODS: Food supply and breast cancer incidence and mortality by country were obtained from an international database. TJDS by country was calculated from nine food groups and the total score ranged from -9 to 9, with higher scores indicating greater adherence to a traditional Japanese diet. Longitudinal associations of interaction between TJDS and fiscal year on breast cancer incidence and mortality were investigated in 139 countries with populations of 1 million or greater. The longitudinal analysis was evaluated using four linear mixed-effect models with different adjustment covariables. RESULTS: Many countries with high scores on TJDS had lower distributions of breast cancer incidence and mortality in 1990-2017. Longitudinal analysis using a linear mixed-effect model controlled for socio-economic and lifestyle covariables showed that the interaction between TJDS and fiscal year was significantly associated with incidence of breast cancer (-0.453 ± 0.138, p < 0.01) and mortality of breast cancer (-0.455 ± 0.135, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This longitudinal analysis suggested that a traditional Japanese diet has been associated with lower breast cancer incidence and mortality worldwide in recent years.