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Background: In prior studies, higher citrus consumption was associated with higher risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Furocoumarins, compounds with phototoxicity and photocarcinogenicity in citrus, may be responsible for the association.Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the association between furocoumarin intake and skin cancer risk.Methods: A total of 47,453 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS) and 75,291 women from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) with diet data collected every 2-4 y in the 2 prospective cohort studies were included. A furocoumarin food composition database for 7 common furocoumarins [bergaptol, psoralen, 8-methoxypsoralen, bergapten, 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin (6'7'-DHB), epoxybergamottin, and bergamottin] was developed and used to calculate participants' cumulative average and energy-adjusted furocoumarin intake. Multivariate HRs and 95% CIs of the associations between furocoumarin intake and skin cancer risk were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Analyses were performed separately in each cohort as well as pooled using a fixed-effects model.Results: Throughout follow-up (1984-2012 in the NHS and 1986-2012 in the HPFS), we identified 1593 melanoma, 4066 SCC, and 28,630 BCC cases. Higher intake of total furocoumarins was associated with an increased risk of BCC; the pooled HR comparing the top with the bottom quintile was 1.16 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.21; P-trend = 0.002). Higher intakes of bergaptol, bergapten, 6'7'-DHB, and bergamottin were also significantly associated with increased BCC risk. No significant associations were found between intake of total furocoumarins and the risks of SCC or melanoma.Conclusions: Intakes of total furocoumarins as well as some individual furocoumarins were associated with an increased risk of skin cancer, especially BCC, in 2 cohorts of US health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It was unclear whether an increased number of common nevi (moles) predicts melanoma death.Objective: We prospectively examined the association between number of common nevi and risk of melanoma death.Methods: Our study used data from the Nurses' Health Study (n = 77,288 women) and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (n = 32,455 men). In 1986, participants were asked about the number of moles they had with a ≥3-mm diameter on the upper extremity, and we stratified their answers into 3 categories (none, 1-2, or ≥3) on the basis of data distribution.Results: During follow-up (1986-2012), 2452 melanoma cases were pathologically confirmed; among these, we identified 196 deaths due to melanoma. Increased number of nevi was associated with melanoma death; the hazard ratio (HR) for ≥3 nevi compared with no nevi was 2.49 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50-4.12) for women and 3.97 (95% CI 2.54-6.22) for men. Among melanoma cases, increased number of nevi was associated with melanoma death in men (≥3 nevi, HR 1.89, 95% CI 1.17-3.05) but not in women. Similarly, the number of nevi was positively associated with Breslow thickness in men only (Ptrend = .01).Limitations: This is an epidemiologic study without examination into mechanisms.Conclusion: Increased number of cutaneous nevi was significantly associated with melanoma death. High nevus count might serve as an independent prognostic factor to predict the risk of melanoma death particularly among male melanoma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine temporal trends in physical activity and sedentary time among U.S. adults with diabetes from 2007 to 2020. We performed serial cross-sectional analyses for participants aged ≥ 20 years with diagnosed diabetes from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2020. Participants completed the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The analytic sample comprised 5096 adults with diabetes (mean age: 60.3 years; 48.2% females; 60.1% White people; mean body mass index: 33.0 kg/m2). From 2007-2008 through 2017–March 2020, the proportion of being physically sufficiently active increased from 41.5% (95% CI, 35.9%–47.2%) to 55.8% (95% CI, 51.3%–60.3%) (P -trend<0.001), whereas that of physical inactivity declined from 43.7% (95% CI, 38.1%–49.2%) to 31.0% (95% CI, 27.7%–34.3%) (P -trend<0.001). The decline was driven by increasing engagement in work-related and leisure-time activity. However, engagement in transportation-related activity stayed persistently low (16.7% [95% CI, 14.8%–18.8%] in 2017–March 2020) (P -trend = 0.25), and the mean daily sitting hours remained unaltered (6.2 [95% CI, 5.9–6.5] in 2017–March 2020) (P -trend = 0.60). Adults who were middle-aged or older, or with class III obesity, cardiovascular or chronic kidney concomitants were less likely to be sufficiently active and prone to prolonged sitting. Physical activity levels in U.S. adults with diabetes have increased from 2007 to 2020, but about one in two remains inactive or insufficiently active. Sedentary time has not decreased. For diabetes management, nationwide efforts are needed to promote transportation-related physical activity while minimizing prolonged sitting, especially among those who are middle-aged or older, or with severe obesity or other complications. • From 2007-2008 through 2017–2020, US adults with diabetes who were physically sufficiently active rose from 41.5% to 55.8%. • Due to increased participation in work-related and leisure-time activity, physical inactivity dropped from 43.7% to 31.1%. • Engagement in transport-related physical activity stayed persistently low, and sedentary time stalled from 2007 to 2020. • Adults with diabetes who were middle-aged or older, or with severe obesity or comorbidities were less active and sat more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MoVO x -type catalysts are very active and very selective in the commercially important oxidation of acrolein to acrylic acid. To contribute to unravelling the thus far poorly understood mechanism, we carried out hybrid DFT calculations on embedded cluster models, focusing on the so-called pentameric unit as active site. In the absence of water, we calculated a large energy span, 169 kJ mol –1 , for this transformation. After addressing the hydrolysis of the surface, we examined four scenarios of the acrolein conversion to explore the effect of water. The most favorable variant has a notably lower energy span, 146 kJ mol –1 , in line with experimental observations that indicate a strong acceleration of the catalytic transformation in the presence of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Statins are among the most commonly used medications in the United States, and statin use is associated with increased risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, previous studies are limited by lack of adjustment for important confounders.Objective: Examine the relation between statins and skin cancer risk in the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study.Methods: Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate associations.Results: During follow-up (2000-2010), we documented 10,201 BCC, 1393 SCC, and 333 melanoma cases. History of high cholesterol level was not associated with risk of BCC (pooled multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.09), SCC (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.85-1.06), or melanoma (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.64-1.19). Statin use was not associated with risk of BCC (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.99-1.09]), SCC (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.94-1.24), or melanoma (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.78-1.38). There was a trend toward higher BCC risk with longer duration of statin use in men (P trend = .003) but not in women (P trend = .86).Limitations: Lack of treatment data.Conclusion: History of high cholesterol level was not associated with skin cancer risk. Longer duration of statin use was associated with a trend toward higher BCC risk in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of melanoma in situ (MIS) is increasing, but little is known about its clinical and epidemiologic features.Objective: We sought to determine trends in diagnosis and clinical features of MIS.Methods: Incident cases of melanoma were collected prospectively from the Nurses' Health Study (1976-2010) and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2010).Results: MIS incidence increased from 2 to 42 per 100,000 person-year among women, and from 11 to 73 per 100,000 person-year among men, exceeding the rate of increase of invasive melanomas. Melanoma mortality initially increased during the follow-up period then plateaued. Men were more likely than women to develop in situ melanomas on the upper half of the body (P < .001). Invasive melanomas were diagnosed at a younger age than MIS (P < .001), and were more likely to be found on the lower extremities than MIS (P < .001).Limitations: This is a strictly descriptive study without examination into mechanisms.Conclusion: We found epidemiologic and clinical differences for in situ and invasive melanomas, which support further examination into the variations in etiologic pathways. The lack of improvement in mortality despite the increase in detection of in situ relative to invasive lesions further highlights the need to improve invasive melanoma-specific clinical screening features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To our knowledge, no prospective studies have examined the association between personal history of psoriasis and risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer.Objective: We sought to examine this association based on 2 prospective cohorts, the Nurses' Health Study and Nurses' Health Study II.Methods: Diagnoses of nonmelanoma skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), were obtained by self-reported questionnaires. Information on clinician-diagnosed psoriasis and diagnosis year was collected and validated with a supplementary questionnaire.Results: After 2,487,941 and 2,478,148 person-years of follow-up, we documented 1725 SCC cases and 16,075 basal cell carcinoma cases, respectively. For the combined cohorts, personal history of psoriasis was associated with an elevated risk of SCC, with a multivariate-adjusted relative risk (RR) of 1.51 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-2.05). The associations appeared stronger with increasing psoriasis severity, with RR of 1.42 (95% CI 0.94-2.15) in the mild psoriasis group and RR of 1.99 (95% CI 0.74-5.32) in the moderate to severe psoriasis group (P trend = .03). There was no association between psoriasis and the risk of basal cell carcinoma (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.75-1.18).Limitations: Lack of treatment data may bias the result.Conclusion: Personal history of psoriasis may be associated with an increased risk of SCC. Further investigations are warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose: Calcium hydroxide and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) are used for inducing a calcific barrier at an open tooth root (apexification). The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of calcium hydroxide and MTA for apexification of immature permanent teeth.Methods: Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar were searched until November 24, 2015, using the keywords apexification, permanent teeth, MTA, and calcium hydroxide.Results: Of 216 studies identified, four studies were included. There were no differences in the clinical success rate [pooled odds ratio (OR) = 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42-21.72, p = 0.271], radiographic success rate (pooled OR = 4.30, 95% CI: 0.45-41.36, p = 0.206), or apical barrier formation rate (pooled OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 0.59-4.96, p = 0.322) between calcium hydroxide and MTA groups. The time required for apical barrier formation was significantly less in the MTA group (pooled difference in means = -3.58, 95% CI: from -4.91 to -2.25, p < 0.001).Conclusion: While both materials provide similar success rates, the shorter treatment time with MTA may translate into higher overall success rates because of better patient compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The conifer rhizosphere SOC mineralization rate increased after tree species mixing. • Tree species mixing increased conifer rhizosphere soil bacterial copiotrophs:oligotrophs ratio. • SOC mineralization was positively correlated with the bacterial copiotrophs:oligotrophs ratio. • The soil aromatic/aliphatic compound ratio regulated the bacterial community composition. Tree species mixing is a prevalent practice to improve soil quality in monoculture plantations and the rhizosphere soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics of conifers will be affected by mixing the species with broad-leaved trees; however, the influence characteristics and underlying mechanism of mixing on rhizosphere SOC mineralization remain elusive. Herein, the rhizosphere soils of two conifers (Pinus massoniana and Pinus elliottii) from pure and mixed plantations were incubated for 50 days. Bacterial communities were investigated by high-throughput sequencing and q PCR of the 16S rRNA gene. The SOC quality represented by carbon functional groups was analyzed using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. A higher rhizosphere SOC quality of conifers, particularly the lower ratios of aromatic/aliphatic compounds and (aromatic + aliphatic compounds)/polysaccharide, was found in the mixed plantation compared to the pure plantation. Mixing increased the relative abundance of the conifer rhizosphere copiotrophic bacteria (Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes) and led to an increase in the bacterial copiotroph:oligotroph ratio. The redundancy analysis showed that the aromatic/aliphatic compound ratio was the predominant factor that significantly affected the soil bacterial communities. The rhizosphere SOC mineralization rate increased after mixing and had a positive relationship with copiotrophic bacteria and the bacterial copiotroph:oligotroph ratio. Our analyses indicate that planting broad-leaved trees in coniferous plantations increases organic carbon mineralization from the rhizosphere soil of conifers and provide potential driving patterns of SOC mineralization related to SOC quality and bacterial life strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Candida albicans is an opportunistic human fungal pathogen that continues to be a leading cause of candidal infections in immunocompromised hosts. Enolase, an important glycolytic enzyme located on the cell wall of C. albicans, was cloned, purified, and characterized by molecular cloning, affinity chromatography and Western blotting. C57BL/6J mice were immunized with recombinant enolase subcutaneously every two weeks, and the protective effect against systemic challenge evaluated by fungal burdens in target organs, titres of specific antibodies to enolase, and by levels of Th1/2 cytokines in serum. After challenge with C. albicans strains SC5314 and 3630, fungal burdens in the liver, kidney, brain, spleen and lung were significantly decreased in immunized mice. Histopathological assessment demonstrated that enolase protected the tissue structure, and decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells. The titres of enolase-specific IgG1 and IgG2a in the immune serum reached up to 1:51200. Furthermore, opsonization with immune serum resulted in enhanced killing of both 3630 and SC5314 by murine neutrophils. Levels of IL-12 and IL-8 in the immune serum increased, whereas the concentration of the Th2 cytokine, IL-10, was significantly higher in immunized mice compared to the control group. It was concluded that recombinant enolase effectively protected mice against disseminated candidiasis, and may be a promising target for vaccination against different strains of C. albicans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: IL-7 is essential for the development and survival of T lymphocytes. This review is primarily from the perspective of the cell biology of the responding T cell. Beginning with IL-7 receptor structure and regulation, the major signaling pathways appear to be via PI3K and Stat5, although the requirement for either has yet to be verified by published knockout experiments. The proliferation pathway induced by IL-7 differs from conventional growth factors and is primarily through posttranslational regulation of p27, a Cdk inhibitor, and Cdc25a, a Cdk-activating phosphatase. The survival function of IL-7 is largely through maintaining a favorable balance of bcl-2 family members including Bcl-2 itself and Mcl-1 on the positive side, and Bax, Bad and Bim on the negative side. There are also some remarkable metabolic effects of IL-7 withdrawal. Studies of IL-7 receptor signaling have yet to turn up unique pathways, despite the unique requirement for IL-7 in T cell biology. There remain significant questions regarding IL-7 production and the major producing cells have yet to be fully characterized. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) stimulates cartilage extracellular matrix synthesis but, in excess, evokes synovial inflammation, hyperplasia, and osteophyte formation in arthritic joints. TGF-β1 induces tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP-3), an inhibitor of cartilage-damaging matrix metalloproteianases and aggrecanases. We investigated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in TIMP-3 induction by TGF-β1. In primary human and bovine chondrocytes, ROS scavenger and antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibited TGF-β1-induced TIMP-3 mRNA and protein increases. Ebselen and ascorbate also reduced this induction. TGF-β1 time-dependently induced ROS production that was suppressed by NAC. Hydrogen peroxide, a ROS, induced TIMP-3 RNA. The TIMP-3 increase induced by TGF-β1 was partly Smad2-dependent. TGF-β1-stimulated Smad2 phosphorylation was inhibited by NAC. Reduced glutathione and L-cysteine also blocked Smad2 and TIMP-3 induction by TGF-β1, whereas a nonthiol, N-acetylalanine, did not. Smad2 was not activated by H2O2. Smad2 phosphorylation was independent, and TIMP-3 expression was dependent, on new protein synthesis. TGF-β-stimulated ERK and JNK phosphorylation was also inhibited by NAC. However, inhibitory actions of NAC were not mediated by ERK activation. Thus, ROS mediate TGF-β1-induced TIMP-3 gene expression. Blocking TGF-β1-induced gene expression by modulating cellular redox status with thiols can be potentially beneficial for treating arthritic and other disorders caused by excessive TGF-β1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Mixing increased rhizosphere soil fungal abundance and community diversity of conifers. • Rhizosphere soil fungi of conifers changed from saprotrophy to symbiotrophy after mixing. • Fungal community composition and function were mainly dependent on SOC. • Masson pine is adaptable than slash pine to establish mixed forest in subtropical areas. Although replanting broad-leaved trees in coniferous forest has been proven to increase stand soil quality, it is unclear how this prevalent forest management regime affects the soil fungal communities of individual conifers in mixed forest. Herein, we chose two representative coniferous tree species (Pinus massoniana and Pinus elliottii) and employed high-throughput sequencing and quantitative PCR to investigate fungal community composition and function in rhizosphere soils under monoculture and in mixed forests (replanted with Schima superba for 13 years) in subtropical China. Mixing with broad-leaved trees resulted in increased rhizosphere soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient (total nitrogen, NH 4 + and available phosphorus). Rhizosphere soil fungal abundance (ITS gene copy numbers) and community diversity of conifers were increased after mixing. Meanwhile, the soil fungal abundance and ACE richness index in Masson pine were higher compared with slash pine whether in monoculture or mixed forests. Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mortierellomycota and Glomeromycota were the dominant phyla in soils. Mixing with broad-leaved trees decreased the relative abundance of Ascomycota, while it increased Basidiomycota and Glomeromycota in the rhizosphere soil of conifers. Moreover, there was a decrease in the relative abundance of animal pathogens and wood saprotrophic fungi, while soil saprotrophic fungi, ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were increased in rhizosphere soil of conifers after mixing, suggesting changes from saprotrophic fungi to symbiotrophic fungi to increase soil nutrient supply and enhance tree nutrient uptake. Principal coordinates analysis showed that the fungal communities in mixed forests clustered closely and were separated from monoculture forests. Fungal community composition and function were mainly dependent on SOC. Our results indicate that mixing with broad-leaved trees increases fungal abundance, alters fungal community composition and function and thus potentially contributes to soil quality improvement and tree nutrient acquisition of conifers. Masson pine is more adaptable than slash pine to establish mixed forest in subtropical China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the risk of psoriasis in women who work at night-shifts in the U.S. It states that when working in rotating night-shifts, people tend to have a higher body mass index (BMI) and are likely to smoke. T further states that pineal gland producing less melatonin lower and the lack of sunlight results in lower vitamin D levels.

Background: Red and processed meat consumption has been associated with increased risk for several cancers, but the association with cutaneous melanoma risk has been inconclusive.Objective: To investigate the association between red and processed meat intake and melanoma risk.Methods: Dietary information was assessed by using food frequency questionnaires in 2 prospective cohorts: 75,263 women from the Nurses' Health Study (1984-2010) and 48,523 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2010). Melanoma cases were confirmed by reviewing pathology records. Pooled multivariable hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by using Cox proportional hazards models.Results: A total of 679 female and 639 male melanoma cases were documented during follow-up. Red and processed meat intake was inversely associated with melanoma risk (P = .002 for trend); the pooled hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of the 2 cohorts were 1.00 (reference), 1.00 (0.87-1.14), 0.98 (0.86-1.13), 0.89 (0.77-1.02), and 0.81 (0.70-0.95) for increasing quintiles of intake.Limitations: Findings might have limited generalizability, considering that the cohorts were limited to white health professionals.Conclusion: Red and processed meat intake was inversely associated with melanoma risk in these 2 cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between obesity and rosacea is poorly understood.Objective: To conduct the first cohort study to determine the association between obesity and risk for incident rosacea.Methods: A total of 89,886 participants were included from the Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2005). Information on history of clinician-diagnosed rosacea and year of diagnosis was collected in 2005. Information on obesity was collected biennially during follow-up.Results: Over 14 years of follow-up, we identified 5249 incident cases of rosacea. The risk for rosacea was elevated for those with increased body mass index (BMI, Ptrend < .0001). Compared with a BMI of 21.0-22.9 kg/m2, the hazard ratio of rosacea was 1.48 (95% confidence interval 1.33-1.64) for BMI ≥ 35.0. There was a trend toward an increased risk for rosacea among participants who had gained weight after age 18 years (Ptrend < .0001), with a hazard ratio of 1.04 (95% confidence interval 1.03-1.05) per 10-lb weight gain. We also observed significantly increased risk for rosacea associated with higher waist circumference and hip circumference (Ptrend < .0001), and the associations appeared to be independent of BMI.Limitations: This epidemiologic study did not explore underlying mechanisms of the association.Conclusions: Measures of obesity were significantly associated with an increased risk for incident rosacea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The epidemiologic association between alcohol and rosacea is unclear and inconsistent based on the previous cross-sectional or case-control studies. Objective We conducted a cohort study to determine the association between alcohol intake and the risk of rosacea in women. Methods A total of 82,737 women were included from the Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2005). Information on alcohol intake was collected every 4 years during follow-up. Information on history of clinician-diagnosed rosacea and year of diagnosis was collected in 2005. Results Over 14 years of follow-up, we identified 4945 cases of rosacea. Compared with never drinkers, increased alcohol intake was associated with a significantly increased risk of rosacea ( P trend <.0001). The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.12 (95% CI 1.05-1.20) for alcohol intake of 1-4 g/day and 1.53 (1.26-1.84) for ≥30 g/day. The associations remained consistent across categories of smoking status. Further examination of types of alcoholic beverage consumed revealed that white wine ( P trend <.0001) and liquor intake ( P trend = .0006) were significantly associated with a higher risk of rosacea. Limitations This was an epidemiologic study without examination into etiologic mechanisms. Conclusions Alcohol intake was significantly associated with an increased risk of rosacea in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Conversion of CO 2 to formyl, HCO, via 3 pathways on Ru(0001) modeled using DFT. • Lowest energy span identified for C–O cleavage route to formyl. • Formate is an important intermediate for formyl generation. • C–O bond cleavage of CO 2 to CO has low barrier at bare Ru(0001) surface. • High coverage renders formate route competitive to C–O bond cleavage pathway. Abstract Using a DFT approach, we explored three pathways to formyl, HCO, starting from CO 2 , on a Ru(0001) model catalyst. Previously the direct CO scission has been discussed as preferential which we confirmed in this study. CO formation is both kinetically and thermodynamically the most preferred reaction of CO 2 conversion on bare Ru(0001). The most favorable reaction of CO* is desorption; only in the next favorable channel, CO* is converted to formyl via a (calculated) absolute free energy barrier of 63 kJ/mol. We also show that formate HCOO* is formed with an absolute free energy barrier of 73 kJ/mol; it may dissociate directly to formyl HCO* via an absolute barrier of 80 kJ/mol. The carboxylate path has an even higher crucial barrier right in the first transformation step on the surface, 97 kJ/mol. At a higher coverage of 1/4 we determined that the CO scission path and the formate route become more similar, with the former being preferred by 8 kJ/mol only. Graphical abstract Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Rosacea is an inflammatory skin disease. Case reports have shown rosacea as a comorbidity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but no epidemiologic studies have examined rosacea and risk of subsequent IBD. The association between tetracycline use and risk of IBD was assessed, but this study produced limited findings. We examined the association between rosacea, use of tetracycline, and risk of incident Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods We analyzed data from 96,314 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study II (1991–2011). Information on IBD was confirmed by medical review. Participants were asked in 2005 about their lifetime histories of clinician-diagnosed rosacea and year of diagnosis. Information on ever use of tetracycline was collected in 1993. Results During 1,856,587 person-years (1991–2011), we identified 149 cases of CD and 215 cases of UC. Rosacea was not associated with risk of UC. In contrast, rosacea was significantly associated with increased risk of subsequent CD (hazard ratio [HR], 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–4.18), which appeared particularly stronger for a longer duration after a diagnosis of rosacea ( P trend = .01). Tetracycline use was associated with increased risk of CD (HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.09–2.24) and UC (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.00–1.80); there was a trend toward increased risk with increased duration of use (both P trend < .05) (1993–2011). Conclusions On the basis of an analysis of data from the Nurses’ Health Study II, ever use of tetracycline at baseline is associated with an increased risk of CD and UC. Personal history of rosacea is associated with an increased risk of only CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Diet could affect risk for esophageal and gastric cancers, but associations have been inconsistent. The diet is complex, so studies of dietary patterns, rather than studies of individual foods, might be more likely to identify cancer risk factors. There is limited research on index-based dietary patterns and esophageal and gastric cancers. We prospectively evaluated associations between the Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) and alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) scores and risk of esophageal and gastric cancers. Methods: We analyzed data from 494,968 participants in the National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health study, in which AARP members (age, 51–70 y) completed a self-administered baseline food frequency questionnaire between 1995 and 1996. Their answers were used to estimate scores for each index. Results: During the follow-up period (1995–2006), participants developed 215 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs), 633 esophageal adenocarcinomas (EACs), 453 gastric cardia adenocarcinomas, and 501 gastric noncardia adenocarcinomas. Higher scores from the HEI-2005 were associated with a reduced risk of ESCC (comparing the highest quintile with the lowest quintile: hazard ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.31–0.86; P trend = .001) and EAC (hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.57–0.98; P trend = .01). We observed an inverse association between ESCC, but not EAC, and a higher aMED score (meaning a higher-quality diet). HEI-2005 and aMED scores were not associated significantly with gastric cardia or noncardia adenocarcinomas. Conclusions: By using data collected from 1995 through 2006 from the National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Study, HEI-2005 and aMED scores were associated inversely with risk for esophageal cancers, particularly ESCC. Adherence to dietary recommendations might help prevent esophageal cancers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Control valves are indispensable fluid control units in various industrial systems, and adjustable ratio is a crucial performance indicator of these valves. It represents the ratio between the maximum and the minimum controllable flow of the valve. And adjustable ratio stands as a significant measure of control valve regulation capability. This paper presents a novel sleeve-type control valve with a combined valve core structure composed of an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and a valve plug. Throttle windows and orifices are machined onto both sleeves. A dual-layer sleeve movement mechanism is realized through a gear transmission structure, allowing rotation of the inner sleeve and vertical movement of the valve plug. This design can achieve higher adjustable ratios and regulation precision. The sleeve structure design include structural parameters of the inner sleeves, outer sleeves and the shape of the throttle windows. In this study, we get the flow rates at various openings by numerical simulations. And the adjustable ratio of the valve with orifice sleeves reaches up to 695:1. Furthermore, we validate the flow regulation accuracy and maximum adjustable ratio of the combined valve core control valve by experimental methods. This work has a relevance for the design and investigation of control valves under high-pressure differential and high-flow conditions. • This valve can realize the flow regulation with two degrees of freedom. • This study enhances the controllability range and precision of the control valve. • Reducing the sleeve wall thickness reduces the problem of valve regulation failure. • The design of the orifice sleeve significantly enhanced regulation of control valve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysplastic nevi (DN) is a strong risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), and it frequently occurs in melanoma-prone families. To identify genetic variants for DN, we genotyped 677 tagSNPs in 38 melanoma candidate genes that are involved in pigmentation, DNA repair, cell cycle control, and melanocyte proliferation pathways in a total of 504 individuals (310 with DN, 194 without DN) from 53 melanoma-prone families (23 CDKN2A mutation positive and 30 negative). Conditional logistic regression, conditioning on families, was used to estimate the association between DN and each single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) separately, adjusted for age, sex, CMM, and CDKN2A status. P-values for SNPs in the same gene were combined to yield gene-specific P-values. Two genes, CDK6 (cyclin-dependent kinase 6) and XRCC1, were significantly associated with DN after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing (P=0.0001 and 0.00025, respectively), whereas neither gene was significantly associated with CMM. Associations for CDK6 SNPs were stronger in CDKN2A mutation-positive families (rs2079147, Pinteraction=0.0033), whereas XRCC1 SNPs had similar effects in mutation-positive and -negative families. The association for one of the associated SNPs in XRCC1 (rs25487) was replicated in two independent data sets (random-effect meta-analysis: P<0.0001). Our findings suggest that some genetic variants may contribute to DN risk independently of their association with CMM in melanoma-prone families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid hydrogen is widely used in the rocket engine test system as a fuel, and the fueling process of liquid hydrogen is controlled by the oblique globe valve installed in the liquid hydrogen main pipeline. As LH2 is transported through the oblique globe valve, cavitation has the tendency to occur near the throttling region where fluid flow causes the local static pressure to be lower than the saturated vapor pressure, especially during opening and closing process. In this paper, the cavitation dynamic evolution and axial force for the whole valve disc during opening and closing process of an oblique globe valve are investigated by the dynamic mesh and UDF technology. The results reveal that the cavitation evolution during opening process is divided into three stages including cavitation inception, cavitation development and cavitation full development. The axial force for the whole valve disc during the cavitation evolution process is increased first and then decreased as the time goes on. The unbalanced pressure distribution on the bottom of valve disc is harmful to the response of the valve disc at its maximum displacement. This work is of significance for the cavitation control and structural design of liquid hydrogen oblique globe valves. • Liquid hydrogen cavitation evolution during flow through an valve is investigated. • Cavitation intensity and position in oblique globe valve are investigated. • Cavitation evolution during opening process is divided into three stages. • Pressure fluctuations are analyzed for mechanism explain of cavitation evolution. • Hydraulic fluctuations on valve disc bottom during cavitation are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin (IL)-17 promotes cartilage breakdown by inducing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and aggrecanases (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif, ADAMTS) in arthritic joints. We investigated IL-17 signaling pathways inducing MMP-3, MMP-13 and ADAM-TS4 genes in bovine articular chondrocytes. IL-17 stimulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), protein 38 (p38) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). ERK pathway inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126, down-regulated IL-17-induced MMP and ADAM-TS4 gene expression. Protein 38 and JNK pathway inhibitors, SB203580 and SP600125, also reduced induction of these genes. Antioxidants and activating protein-1 transcription factor inhibitors, nordihydroguaiaretic acid and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) suppressed MMP and ADAM-TS4 genes. Similarly, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways inhibitors curcumin and Bay-11-7085 also blocked their induction. Thus MMP-3, MMP-13 and ADAM-TS4 genes are coordinately up-regulated by IL-17 via MAP kinases, activating protein-1 (AP-1) and NF-κB mediators, which could be targeted for reducing IL-17-triggered cartilage damage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Interleukin-1 (IL-1), the main cytokine instigator of cartilage degeneration in arthritis, induces matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and MMP-13 RNA and protein in chondrocytes. The molecular mechanisms of this induction were investigated with specific inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways and activating protein (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factors. IL-1 rapidly induced the activation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK), protein 38 (p38) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPKs in the first-passage human femoral head OA chondrocytes. The ERK-MAPK pathway inhibitor, PD98059, attained 46–53% (MMP-3) and 59–66% (MMP-13) inhibition of RNA induction in human OA and 47–52% (MMP-3) and 69–73% (MMP-13) inhibition in bovine chondrocytes. U0126 conferred 37–77% (MMP-3) and 43–73% (MMP-13) suppression in human and 77–100% (MMP-3) and 96–100% (MMP-13) in bovine chondrocytes. P38 and JNK inhibitor, SB203580 caused 35–37% reduction of MMP-3 and MMP-13 RNA in human and 36–46% (MMP-3) and 60–88% (MMP-13) in bovine chondrocytes. Inhibitor of JNK, AP-1 and NF-κB, curcumin, achieved 48–99% suppression of MMP-3 and 45–97% of MMP-13 in human and 8–100% (MMP-3) and 32–100% (MMP-13) in bovine chondrocytes. NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate yielded 83–84% reduction of MMP-3 and 38–55% for MMP-13 in human chondrocytes. In bovine chondrocytes, the induction decreased by 54–64% for MMP-3 and 74–93% for MMP-13 RNA. These results suggest the involvement of MAPKs, AP-1 and NF-κB transcription factors in the IL-1 induction of MMPs in chondrocytes. Inhibition of IL-1 signal transduction by these agents could be useful for reducing cartilage resorption by MMPs in arthritis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Investigations of natural gas hydrate dissociation from a slurry to a water-in-oil emulsion are conducted in a high-pressure hydrate experimental flow loop equipped with on-line microcosmic instruments including a focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) probe and a particle video microscope (PVM) probe. Three stages of the dissociation processes are observed and sketched in a conceptual mechanistic diagram, including initial dissociation with agglomeration, dissociation with breakage and re-aggregation, and thorough dissociation. The influences of initial pressure, flow rate, and water cut on hydrate dissociation are discussed. The pressure drop is increased by hydrate particle agglomeration, which increases the risk of hydrate plugging; thus, hydrate systems require close monitoring during the hydrate slurry dissociation process. Based on the classical kinetics theory, an improved hydrate dissociation model is developed by introducing a coupled heat- and mass-transfer influence coefficient and by considering the changes in the hydrate dissociated area based on the chord length data recorded by the FBRM probe. The intrinsic rate constant for natural gas hydrate dissociation is within the range of 1.41 × 10 3 –7.18 × 10 4 mol·Pa −1 ·s −1 ·m −2 , and the activation energy of dissociation ranges from 68.2 to 72.3 kJ·mol −1 . The reported investigation is significant for the application of hydrate slurries in risk-management methods to address issues of hydrate flow assurance in deep-water systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The Early Carboniferous clastic sediments in the North Lhasa Terrane was mainly from the Indian continent and partly from the Australian continent. • The North Lhasa Terrane may be located at the northern margin of the Indian- and Australian continent during the Early Carboniferous. • The reduction of Grenvillian detrital zircons in the Yongzhu Formation might be associated with the Early Carboniferous rifting process in the eastern Lhasa Block. The Lhasa Block was located at the northern margin of East Gondwana before it drifted away, but its exact paleogeographic location in the Late Paleozoic remains controversial. The Late Paleozoic strata in the Lhasa Block, especially the Lower Carboniferous, for which the rock assemblage and sedimentary age have been described but the in-depth research on provenance and tectonic environment are still lacking, may provide vital information about its paleogeographic location. This study presents a systematic field geological survey of the Lower Carboniferous Yongzhu Formation, along with U-Pb dating and Hf isotope analysis of detrital zircons. The detrital zircons U-Pb data revealed major age peaks at 530 and 980 Ma as well as several subordinate age peaks at 784, 890, 1160, 1514, 1690, 2480, and 2600 Ma. The Hf isotopes of the detrital zircons showed similarity with zircons from the Indian continent on the age peaks at 980 and 890 Ma and with those from the Australian continent on the age peaks at 1160 and 2600 Ma, which indicates mixed provenance for the Yongzhu Formation. From this study, we infer that the Lhasa Block might have been located at the northern margin of the Indian and Australian continents during the Early Carboniferous. The weaker age peak at 1160 Ma of the Lower Carboniferous compared to the Pre-Carboniferous and Upper Carboniferous-Lower Permian might be related to the opening of the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planting broad-leaved trees with coniferous species typically influences the rhizosphere soil microorganisms of broad-leaved trees. However, how tree species mixture affects microbial community compositions and microbial nutrient limitation represented by soil extracellular enzyme stoichiometry (EES) remains poorly understood. We investigated the microbial taxonomic composition and analyzed the extracellular enzyme activities (EEAs) related to carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) acquisition in the rhizosphere soil of Schima superba in pure and two mixed plantations (mixed with Pinus massoniana or P. elliottii). The rhizosphere soil organic matter quantity and quality were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Mixing with coniferous species significantly increased the rhizosphere soil fungal Shannon and ACE diversity values and led to the prevalence of microbial oligotrophs in the rhizosphere soil of S. superba. Mixing increased the relative abundances of bacteria belonging to Chloroflexi and fungi belonging to Basidiomycota but decreased the relative abundances of bacteria belonging to Proteobacteria and fungi belonging to Ascomycota in the rhizosphere soil of S. superba. The decreasing rhizosphere soil organic C and dissolved organic C concentrations and increasing ratio of aromatic/aliphatic compounds were responsible for the changes in the microbial community. The average natural logarithm of the C, N, and P enzyme ratio was 1:0.92:1.68, and the enzyme vector angles were more than 45°, indicating that soil microorganisms had a relatively high demand for P. Mixing increased the natural logarithm of the rhizosphere soil enzyme activity N:P ratio and decreased the vector angle, and the soil EES and vector angle were dependent on the relative abundance of microbial oligotrophs. Our results suggest that tree species mixture significantly changes the microbial community composition and alleviates microbial P limitation in the rhizosphere soil of broad-leaved trees. • Tree species mixing increased the rhizosphere soil C, N and P enzyme activities of broad-leaved trees. • Rhizosphere soil microbial P limitation of broad-leaved trees was alleviated after mixing. • The increased relative abundance of microbial oligotrophs was responsible for the soil EES changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]