Effects of Z-Isomerization on the Bioavailability and Functionality of Carotenoids: A Review

Carotenoids, the most common fat-soluble plant pigments in nature, are beneficial to human health due to their strong antioxidant activities and abilities to prevent various diseases. Carotenoids have many geometrical isomers forms caused by E/Z-isomerization at arbitrary sites within the multiple conjugated double bonds. Several studies have addressed that the bioavailability as well as the antioxidant, anticancer, and antiatherosclerotic activities of carotenoids varies among the isomers. In addition, those variations differ among carotenoids: Z-isomerization resulted in “positive” or “negative” effect for carotenoids bioavailability and functionality, for example, Z-isomers of lycopene are more bioavailable than the all-E-isomer, whereas the opposite is observed for β-carotene. Thus, to efficiently promote the beneficial effects of carotenoids by ingestion, it is important to have a good understanding of the impact of E/Z-isomerization on the corresponding functional changes. The objective of this contribution is to review the effects of carotenoid Z-isomerization on bioavailability and functionality and describe their differences among carotenoids

Relationship between the Young’s Modulus of the Achilles Tendon and Ankle Dorsiflexion Angle at Maximum Squat Depth in Healthy Young Males

Background and Objective: Achilles tendon (AT) stiffness can reduce ankle dorsiflexion. However, whether AT stiffness affects the ankle dorsiflexion angle at a maximum squat depth remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the Young’s modulus of the AT and ankle dorsiflexion angle at the maximum squat depth in healthy young males using shear-wave elastography (SWE). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 31 healthy young males. AT stiffness was measured using the Young’s modulus through SWE. The ankle dorsiflexion angle at the maximum squat depth was measured as the angle between the vertical line to the floor and the line connecting the fibula head and the lateral malleolus using a goniometer. Results: Multiple regression analysis identified the Young’s modulus of the AT at 10° of ankle dorsiflexion (standardized partial regression coefficient [β] = −0.461; p = 0.007) and the ankle dorsiflexion angle in the flexed knee (β = 0.340; p = 0.041) as independent variables for the ankle dorsiflexion angle at maximum squat depth. Conclusions: The Young’s modulus of the AT may affect the ankle dorsiflexion angle at the maximum squat depth in healthy young males. Therefore, improving the Young’s modulus of the AT may help increase the ankle dorsiflexion angle at maximum squat depth

Effects of the Change in Working Status on the Health of Older People in Japan.

Working at old ages is regarded as a good way to keep one's health according to the idea of productive aging. However, there is not enough evidence yet whether retirement is good or bad, or the kind of effects it has on the health of older adults aged 65 and over. We examined it by using a recent data of Wako city, a suburb area near Tokyo in Japan.One thousand seven hundred sixty-eight participants answered to 3 waves of survey questionnaires: 2008, 2010, and 2012, successively. We considered 3 indicators of health; self-rated health, mental health (GDS15) and HLFC (Higher-Level Functional Capacity: TMIG-IC). In cross-sectional analysis, we compared these 3 indicators by three groups: full-time worker, part-time worker, and non-worker. In longitudinal analysis, we compared these three indicators by two groups: subjects who successively worked in 2008, 2010, 2012, and subjects who worked in 2008 but retired before 2010. We used one-way and two way repeated measures ANCOVA for these analyses, respectively.It was significantly clear that retirement worsened both mental health and HLFC in people aged 65 years and over; especially, mental health worsened rapidly and HLFC gradually. However, these indicators didn't worsen in subjects who changed from full-time jobs to part-time jobs. Quitting from part-time jobs deteriorated mental health gradually and HLFC moderately compared to full-time jobs.The results support the activity theory that older adults who quit from full-time jobs deteriorated both mental health and HLFC, though at different speeds. If they make a transit to part-time jobs, the deterioration would be moderate. It shows that working is an effective way of social participation for older people aged 65 years and over in Japan

Baseline characteristics of the participants at Wave1.

<p>Baseline characteristics of the participants at Wave1.</p

Longitudinal analysis of 2 groups by repeated measures ANCOVA.

<p>(F,N,N) shows the subjects who quitted their full-time work between Waves 1 and 2. (P,N,N) shows the subjects who quitted their part-time work between Waves 1 and 2.</p

Cross-sectional analysis of working status at Wave1 by one-way ANCOVA with 5 covariates of age, sex, years of schooling, annual couple income, occupation (self-employed or not).

<p>** p<0.01 by F tests.</p

Results of multiple comparisons by two-way repeated measures ANCOVA.

<p>Results of multiple comparisons by two-way repeated measures ANCOVA.</p