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This study aims to examine lifestyle predictors of the utilization of colorectal cancer screening. Using modified Poisson regression, we studied self-reported colorectal cancer screening utilization (colonoscopy or fecal occult blood test) with various dietary and lifestyle characteristics among 33,922 subjects aged 51 + years in the Adventist Health Study-2, a large population-based prospective cohort study. According to the multivariable-adjusted models, vegetarians were less likely to report screening: vegans, prevalence ratio (PR) = 0.80 (95% confidence interval 0.77–0.83); lacto-ovo-vegetarians (0.95 [0.93–0.97]); and semi-vegetarians (0.97 [0.94–0.99]) compared to non-vegetarians. Blacks were more likely than non-Blacks to be screened (1.04 [1.02–1.06]) and males were less likely (0.93 [0.92–0.95]) to utilize the screening tests. Older subjects were more likely to be screened, and unmarried and divorced/widowed subjects were less likely to screen. Education, personal income, and BMI were positively associated with screening, with p-value for trend

Background Walnut consumption counteracts oxidative stress and inflammation, 2 drivers of cognitive decline. Clinical data concerning effects on cognition are lacking. Objectives The Walnuts And Healthy Aging study is a 2-center (Barcelona, Spain; Loma Linda, CA) randomized controlled trial examining the cognitive effects of a 2-y walnut intervention in cognitively healthy elders. Methods We randomly allocated 708 free-living elders (63-79 y, 68% women) to a diet enriched with walnuts at ∼15% energy (30-60 g/d) or a control diet (abstention from walnuts). We administered a comprehensive neurocognitive test battery at baseline and 2 y. Change in the global cognition composite was the primary outcome. We performed repeated structural and functional brain MRI in 108 Barcelona participants. Results A total of 636 participants completed the intervention. Besides differences in nutrient intake, participants from Barcelona smoked more, were less educated, and had lower baseline neuropsychological test scores than those from Loma Linda. Walnuts were well tolerated and compliance was good. Modified intention-to-treat analyses (n = 657) uncovered no between-group differences in the global cognitive composite, with mean changes of -0.072 (95% CI: -0.100, -0.043) in the walnut diet group and -0.086 (95% CI: -0.115, -0.057) in the control diet group (P = 0.491). Post hoc analyses revealed significant differences in the Barcelona cohort, with unadjusted changes of -0.037 (95% CI: -0.077, 0.002) in the walnut group and -0.097 (95% CI: -0.137, -0.057) in controls (P = 0.040). Results of brain fMRI in a subset of Barcelona participants indicated greater functional network recruitment in a working memory task in controls. Conclusions Walnut supplementation for 2 y had no effect on cognition in healthy elders. However, brain fMRI and post hoc analyses by site suggest that walnuts might delay cognitive decline in subgroups at higher risk. These encouraging but inconclusive results warrant further investigation, particularly targeting disadvantaged populations, in whom greatest benefit could be expected.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01634841.

Atomically thin graphene is a transparent, highly electrically and thermally conductive, light-weight, and the strongest material. To date, graphene has found applications in many aspects including transport, medicine, electronics, energy, defense, and desalination. We demonstrate another disruptive application of graphene in the field of laser-ion acceleration, in which the unique features of graphene play indispensable role. Laser driven ion sources have been widely investigated for pure science, plasma diagnostics, medical and engineering applications. Recent developments of laser technologies allow us to access radiation regime of laser ion acceleration with relatively thin targets. However, the thinner target is the less durable and can be easily broken by the pedestal or prepulse through impact and heating prior to the main laser arrival. One of the solutions to avoid this is plasma mirror, which is a surface plasma created by the foot of the laser pulse on an optically transparent material working as an effective mirror only for the main laser peak. So far diamond like carbon (DLC) is used to explore the ion acceleration in extremely thin target regime (< 10 nm) with plasma mirrors, and it is necessary to use plasma mirrors even in moderately thin target regime (10-100 nm) to realize energetic ion generation. However, firstly DLC is not 2D material, and therefore, it is very expensive to make it thin and flat. Moreover, graphene is stronger than diamond at extremely thin regime, and much more reasonable for mass-production. Furthermore, installing and operating plasma mirrors at high repetition rate is also costly. Here we show another direct solution using graphene as the thinnest and strongest target ever made. We develop a facile transfer method to fabricate large-area suspended graphene (LSG) as target for laser ion acceleration with precision down to a single atomic layer. Direct irradiation of the LSG targets with an ultra intense laser generates energetic carbons and protons evidently showing the durability of graphene without plasma mirror. This extends the new frontier of science on graphene under extreme electromagnetic field, such as energy frontier and nuclear fusion.

Ambient air pollutants are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality with significant racial disparities. However, few studies have explored racial differences among highly susceptible subpopulations, such as renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Despite improvements in quality of life after transplantation, CVD remains the major cause of mortality, especially among Black recipients. This study aimed to evaluate potential racial differences in the association between long-term levels of PM2.5 and the risk of all-cause, total CVD, and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality among RTRs. This retrospective study consists of 93,857 non-smoking adults who received a renal transplant between 2001 and 2015. Time-dependent Cox regression was used to assess the association between annual concentrations of PM2.5 and mortality risk. In the multivariable-adjusted models, a 10 μg/m3 increase in ambient PM2.5 levels found increased risk of all-cause (HR = 3.45, 95% CI: 3.08–3.78), CVD (HR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.94–2.92), and CHD mortality (HR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.96–4.90). Black recipients had higher risks of all-cause (HR = 4.09, 95% CI: 3.43–4.88) and CHD mortality (HR = 6.73, 95% CI: 2.96–15.32). High levels of ambient PM2.5 were associated with all-cause, CVD, and CHD mortality. The association tended to be higher among Black recipients than non-Blacks.

Traditional Asian fermented soy food products are associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk in prospective studies, but few randomized controlled trials have been conducted in at-risk populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a commercial non-probiotic fermented soy product on blood lipids in adults with cardiovascular risk biomarkers. In a randomized, crossover, intervention study, 27 men and women (aged 29–75 y) exhibiting at least two risk factors, consumed two packets (12.5 g each) daily of a fermented powdered soy product, or an isoenergic control powder made from germinated brown rice for 12 weeks each. The consumption of the fermented soy product resulted in a significantly greater mean change from baseline (compared to the germinated rice, all p &lt, 0.05) in total cholesterol of −0.23 mmol/L (CI: −0.40, −0.06) compared with 0.14 mmol/L (CI: −0.03, 0.31), respectively, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol −0.18 mmol/L (CI: −0.32, −0.04) compared with 0.04 mmol/L (CI: −0.01, 0.018) respectively. This was accompanied by an increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in the germinated rice group, a decrease in apolipoprotein B (ApoB) in the fermented soy group, and a between-treatment effect in apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), however, the ratio of the LDL:HDL and of Apo B:ApoA1 did not differ between the groups. The ratio of total cholesterol:LDL decreased in men in the fermented soy group (p &lt, 0.001). Twenty-four-hour urine collection at the end of each treatment period resulted in an increased excretion expressed as a ratio in μmol/d between treatments of 10.93 (CI: 5.07, 23.54) for daidzein, 1.24 (CI: 1.14, 4.43) for genistein, and, 8.48 (CI: 4.28, 16.80) for glycitein, all p &lt, 0.05. The fermented soy powder consumed by participants in this study without implementing other changes in their typical diets, decreased the total and LDL cholesterol, and may serve as a dietary strategy to manage blood lipids. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03429920.

Eggs contain important compounds related to enhanced cognition, but it is not clear if egg consumption, as a whole, has a direct impact on memory decline in older adults. This study aimed to determine whether egg intake levels predict the rate of memory decline in healthy older adults after sociodemographic and dietary controls. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from 470 participants, age 50 and over, from the Biospsychosocial Religion and Health Study. Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire, which was used to calculate egg intake and divide participants into Low (

A high consumption of added sugar has been associated with several cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. The main goal was to assess the association of sugary food and drink intake on the risk of stroke mortality. The Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2) is a prospective study with approximately 96,000 participants from the United States and Canada. Subjects were recruited from 2002 to 2007 at which time they completed a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire including intake of sugar added sweet foods and drinks. Subjects were followed with respect to National Death Index (NDI) mortality information through 2015. This is a low sugar consuming cohort where about 50% also adhere to a vegetarian dietary pattern. After applying exclusion criteria, the final analytical sample consisted of 53,482 study subjects. Cox Proportional hazard regression was used in the analyses adjusting for important demographic, lifestyle and medical variables. Four hundred and seventy two fatal strokes occurred during an average of 9.5 years or 509, 119 person-years of follow-up. Compared to the lowest quartile of sugary food intake (0 to 1.6 times/week), the hazard ratio of fatal stroke for the highest quartile (> 7 times/week) of sugary food intake was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.65 to 1.13), after adjusting for covariates. The hazard ratios did not change significantly when stratifying on gender and race. Consumption of added sugar was not associated with fatal stroke in this low sugar consuming population. Further research is needed in populations with higher intakes of sugar-sweetened foods and with diverse backgrounds and dietary patterns. Key words: Diet, sugar, stroke, cardiovascular diseases.

Patients with chronic pain (CP) and substance use disorder (SUD) are complex, not yet adequately described, and in need of comprehensive treatments that address both diseases concurrently. Our objectives were to (a) describe a cohort of CP patients who failed traditional treatment (mainly opioids) – then developed opioid use disorder (OUD) and other SUDs and (b) evaluate a comprehensive inpatient treatment program for these patients. Patients were enrolled in an inpatient CP program. Treatment consisted of medical detoxification, group process/education, external and internal qigong, osteopathic manual medicine, and qigong-based mindfulness. Patients also received 20 h per week of 12-step recovery-based SUD treatment. Patients were evaluated at the beginning of treatment (first assessment, day 1–5 range) and at days 30 and 45. Assessments were: Beck Depression Inventory-II, Brief Pain Inventory, West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory (patient section), and McGill Pain Questionnaire. The Global Impression of Change Scale was administered at day 45. A mixed model analysis was used to evaluate treatment progress. Demographic data revealed an older cohort with OUD, other SUDs, and multiple pain diagnoses who failed traditional treatment. Questionnaire evaluations were consistent and similar across all of the above measures: patients’ scores showed marked, statistically significant improvements in depression, pain, and quality of life ratings. The most substantial improvements occurred between the first and second assessments. The findings are sufficiently encouraging to warrant further evaluation of the protocol and to plan comparative studies.

It is well established that diabetic patients with poor glycemic control have increased susceptibility to infections, but glucose levels have not been directly associated with this increase. The assessment of the effects of glycosylated hemoglobin (A1 c) on the body’s ability to fight infections may be useful directly in establishing a link between elevated blood sugar and the risk of infections. A total of 127 subjects in Heart Pilot Study (HPS), sub-study of the Adventist Health Study 2 (AHS-2) completed a lifestyle, medical and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline between 2013 and 2014. The A1 c and phagocytic index (PI) were measured in the same blood sample and their associations were assessed using linear regression. Mean blood glucose (MBG) was estimated based on A1 c levels using a standard formula. Three levels of MBG were used to compare prediabetic and diabetic ranges to the normal range. The PI is the average number of bacteria in the cytoplasm of 50 neutrophils, manually counted under a light microscope after the whole blood was briefly exposed to a standard dose of bacteria and stained. In multivariable analysis, we found that MBG in the prediabetic (117 to137 mg/dL) and diabetic (>137 mg/dL) ranges were associated with 12.9% (b= -0.129, 95% CI: -0.30, 0.05) and 20.4% decrease in PI (b= -0.204, 95% CI: -0.592, 0.184) compared to that, observed among those with normal MBG (p for trend=0.119). Elevated MBG levels contribute a decrease in the PI among those in the prediabetic and diabetic range compared to the normal range. Although our findings were not quite statistically significant due to low power which are clinically relevant in line with observations of an increased infections among diabetics. Further research on larger populations is needed. Key words: A1 c, hemoglobin A1 c, phagocytosis, neutrophils, phagocytic index, diabetes, infection.

Background: The assessment of polyphenol intake in free-living subjects is challenging, mostly because of the difficulty in accurately measuring phenolic content and the wide presence of phenolics in foods.Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate the validity of polyphenol intake estimated from food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs) by using the mean of 6 measurements of a 24-h dietary recall (24-HR) as a reference and to apply a unique method-of-triads approach to assess validity coefficients (VCs) between latent "true" dietary estimates, total urinary polyphenol (TUP) excretion, and a surrogate biomarker (plasma carotenoids).Design: Dietary intake data from 899 adults of the Adventist Health Study 2 (AHS-2; 43% blacks and 67% women) were obtained. Pearson correlation coefficients (r), corrected for attenuation from within-person variation in the recalls, were calculated between 24-HRs and FFQs and between 24-HRs and TUPs. VCs and 95% CIs between true intake and polyphenol intakes from FFQs, 24-HRs, and the biomarkers TUPs and plasma carotenoids were calculated.Results: Mean ± SD polyphenol intakes were 717 ± 646 mg/d from FFQs and 402 ± 345 mg/d from 24-HRs. The total polyphenol intake from 24-HRs was correlated with FFQs in crude (r = 0.51, P < 0.001) and deattenuated (r = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.69) models. In the triad model, the VC between the FFQs and theoretical true intake was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.93) and between 24-HRs and true intake was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.38, 1.00).Conclusions: The AHS-2 FFQ is a reasonable indicator of total polyphenol intake in the AHS-2 cohort. Urinary polyphenol excretion is limited by genetic variance, metabolism, and bioavailability and should be used in addition to rather than as a replacement for dietary intake assessment.

The solid state nuclear track detector CR-39 is the most reliable ion detector used in laser-driven ion acceleration experiments. This is because CR-39 detectors can measure from one ion without X-ray and electron noise generated by the interaction between the intense laser pulse and the target matter. In addition, the incident energy and the spatial distributions of the laser-accelerated ions are also revealed by the careful analysis of the etch pits in CR-39 detectors. The present paper comments on CR-39 detectors based on previous studies with a focus on an analysis technique of the etch pits to obtain the incident energy of the laser-accelerated ions.

Accumulating evidence links nut consumption with an improved risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), however, long-term trials are lacking. We examined the effects of a daily dose of walnuts for two years on MetS in a large elderly cohort. A total of 698 healthy elderly participants were randomly assigned to either a walnut supplemented or a control diet. The participants in the walnut group were provided with packaged walnuts (1, 1.5, or 2 oz. or ~15% of energy) and asked to incorporate them into their daily habitual diet. The participants in the control group were asked to continue with their habitual diet and abstain from eating walnuts and other tree nuts. Intake of n-3 fatty acid supplements was not permitted in either group. Fasting blood chemistries, blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements were obtained at baseline and at the end of intervention. A total of 625 participants (67% women, mean age 69.1 y) completed this two-year study (90% retention rate). Triglycerides decreased in both walnut (&minus, 0.94 mg/dl) and control (&minus, 0.96 mg/dl) groups, with no significant between-group differences. There was a non-significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the walnut group (&minus, 1.30 and &minus, 0.71 mm Hg, respectively) and no change in the control group. Fasting blood glucose decreased by ~1 point in both the walnut and control groups. There were no significant between-group differences in the development or reversion of MetS. In conclusion, supplementing the diet of older adults with a daily dose of walnuts had no effect on MetS status or any of its components, although the walnut group tended to have lower blood pressure.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between habitual avocado intake, and cardiometabolic risk factors and metabolic syndrome (MetS). We hypothesized that regular avocado intake is associated with a lower occurrence of elevated blood glucose (BG), TG, blood pressure (BP), and waist circumference (WC), and/or decreased HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C). METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis was done on a random sample (n = ∼850) of subjects from the Adventist Health Study-2 cohort. Diet was assessed using a quantitative FFQ, which included an item for avocado/guacamole intake. Avocado intake (g/day) was calculated: f * s * n where f = the weighted frequency of avocado; s = the weighted portion size of avocado; and n = standard serving size (32 g) of avocado. FFQ data was also used to calculate total energy intake. Medication use, fasting BG, TG, HDL-C, BP, and WC were assessed during clinics. MetS was defined as follows: ≥3 of the diagnostic criteria defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III. Descriptive statistics including differences of means were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds of metabolic syndrome for non-consumers (0 g/day; reference) versus consumers (>0 g/day; 51% of subjects) of avocado. Covariates were measured via a questionnaire: age, gender, race, education, energy intake, and dietary patterns. RESULTS: The odds for MetS for avocado consumers was non-significantly lower compared to nonconsumers: OR (95% CI) 0.87 (0.58, 1.30). Mean diastolic BP and WC were significantly lower among avocado consumers compared to nonconsumers. Mean HDL-C, TG, BG, and systolic BP did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: No relationship between habitual avocado intake and MetS has been found. However, there may be an inverse relationship between avocado intake and specific cardiometabolic risk factors: diastolic BP and WC. FUNDING SOURCES: Hass Avocado Board, NIH, National Cancer Institute.

Background Elevated plasma methylmalonic acid (MMA) is a functional biomarker of vitamin B-12 status but limited information is available on its prevalence in US vegetarians. Objectives The study examines the prevalence of plasma MMA ≥0.27 µmol/L in those consuming vegetarian diets, its associations with vitamin B-12 intake and biomarkers, and the modifying effect of vegetarian patterns on these associations. Methods In this cross-sectional study (n = 785), concentrations of MMA, vitamin B-12, holotranscobalamin (holoTC), and homocysteine (Hcy) were determined in participants of the calibration substudy of the Adventist Health Study 2 (AHS-2). Vitamin B-12 intake from food, fortified food, and supplements was assessed by six 24-h recalls. Regression models were used to estimate ORs of having high MMA as related to vitamin B-12 status biomarkers, vitamin B-12 intake, and dietary pattern. Results The prevalence of low vitamin B-12 status defined by serum vitamin B-12

Lunasin, a peptide isolated from soybeans, has been shown to exert antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and hypocholesterolemic effects in animal and in vitro models. In a triple-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, 31 participants (female: 19, male: 12, mean age 61 ± 9.9 years) were randomized to an 8-week treatment of lunasin-enriched soy extract (335mg/d) or placebo. A 3-week washout period was utilized between treatments. Serum lipids, glucose, and insulin, as well as blood pressure and anthropometrics, were measured at baseline, week 7, and week 8 of each treatment period. There were nonsignificant reductions in cardiometabolic risk factors with treatment: total cholesterol -0.1mmol/L, 95% CI [-0.28, 0.03]; LDL cholesterol -0.07mmol/L, 95% CI [-0.2, 0.06]; triglyceride 0% mmol/L, 95% CI (-10%, 11%]; fasting serum glucose -2% mmol/L, 95% CI [-4%, 1%]; BMI -0.05 kg/m2, 95% CI [-0.17, 0.07] and waist circumference -0.63cm, 95% CI [-1.8, 0.53]. Supplementation with lunasin-enriched soy extract for 8 weeks did not result in significant changes in serum lipids, glucose, insulin resistance, blood pressure, BMI, or waist circumference. Future studies should focus on a higher dosage, larger sample size, and/or longer treatment to determine the independent role of lunasin, if any, in the effect of soy on cardiometabolic risk factors.

Avocados contain nutrients and bioactive compounds that may help reduce the risk of becoming overweight/obese. We prospectively examined the effect of habitual avocado intake on changes in weight and body mass index (BMI). In the Adventist Health Study (AHS-2), a longitudinal cohort (~55,407, mean age ~56 years, U.S. and Canada), avocado intake (standard serving size 32 g/day) was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Self-reported height and weight were collected at baseline. Self-reported follow-up weight was collected with follow-up questionnaires between four and 11 years after baseline. Using the generalized least squares (GLS) approach, we analyzed repeated measures of weight in relation to avocado intake. Marginal logistic regression analyses were used to calculate the odds of becoming overweight/obese, comparing low (&gt, 0 to &lt, 32 g/day) and high (&ge, 32 g/day) avocado intake to non-consumers (reference). Avocado consumers who were normal weight at baseline, gained significantly less weight than non-consumers. The odds (OR (95% CI)) of becoming overweight/obese between baseline and follow-up was 0.93 (0.85, 1.01), and 0.85 (0.60, 1.19) for low and high avocado consumers, respectively. Habitual consumption of avocados may reduce adult weight gain, but odds of overweight/obesity are attenuated by differences in initial BMI values.

A combination of CR-39 track detectors and a stepwise energy filter is a simple method to measure the energy spectrum of laser-accelerated protons. The number of etch pits in each area of the CR-39 detector is expected to represent the energy spectrum because the different thicknesses of the filters result in different areas into which the energy reaches in CR-39. However, the higher energy regions may overlap depending on the sensitivity of CR-39. To avoid overlapping, i.e., overestimation of the number of etch pits for each energy region, a correction method for the energy spectrum from the number of etch pits was developed. Based on the calculation results of the reaching energy values and incident energy ranges for CR-39, etch pits are selected that should be counted in each area. CR-39 with stepwise energy filters provides a corrected energy spectrum of laser-accelerated protons by applying the developed method.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the effect of daily consumption of macadamia nuts as 15% of calories on body weight, BMI, waist circumference, percent body fat and skeletal muscle mass in overweight/obese men and women with elevated cardiometabolic risk. METHODS: Utilizing a randomized crossover design, we randomized 38 subjects to consume macadamia nuts daily as 15% of calories for 8 weeks (intervention) and their usual diet for 8 weeks (control), with a 2-week washout. Three subjects dropped out early; n = 35 for analysis. Subjects were healthy men and postmenopausal women with a BMI of 25–39, a waist circumference of >101.6 cm for men and >88.9 cm for women, and one additional cardiovascular risk factor (fasting plasma glucose >100 mg/dL, triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl, total cholesterol >200 mg/dL, LDL-C > 100 mg/dL, blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg or taking anti-hypertensive medication). Macadamia nuts were provided in pre-weighed daily portions as 15% of calories calculated using the Mifflin-St. Jeor equation. Percent body fat and skeletal muscle mass (kg) were determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. A mixed model analysis was performed with treatment, sequence, phase, and baseline values as fixed-effect terms and subjects as a random-effects term. RESULTS: Compared to control, consumption of macadamia nuts led to a mean weight change of –348 g (84.13 vs. 83.78 kg; P = 0.15) a mean BMI change of –0.15 kg/m(2) (30.61 vs. 30.47 kg/m(2); P = 0.12), and a mean waist circumference change of 0.17 cm (107.41 vs. 107.58 cm; P = 0.61). Percent body fat increased by an average of 0.26% after eating nuts (42.70 vs. 42.96%; P = 0.16). Skeletal muscle mass was slightly but significantly lower after eating nuts with a mean change of –0.237 kg (26.33 vs. 26.09 kg; P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Daily consumption of high-fat macadamia nuts for eight weeks in overweight and obese individuals did not change anthropometrics including body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and % body fat. Skeletal muscle mass was slightly lowered but likely not clinically relevant. FUNDING SOURCES: Hort Innovation, Sydney, Australia.

OBJECTIVES: Previous reports indicate that intake of some soy products may be associated with improvements in blood lipids but few studies examined fermented soy foods. Q CAN PLUS® is a functional food product derived from fermented soybeans. To evaluate the effects of fermented soy on cardiovascular risk factors, we implemented a clinical trial to compare the effects of the fermented soy powder (Q CAN PLUS®) against a placebo (sprouted brown rice powder) in individuals at risk for cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: Twenty-seven adults at risk for cardiovascular diseases (29–75 years old; 78% female; mean BMI [32.3 kg/m2 ± 7.3]) were randomized to consume either 2 pouches (12–15 g powder/pouch) per day of fermented soy powder (Q CAN PLUS®), or a sprouted brown rice powder for 12 weeks each, in a crossover design trial. The intervention phases were separated by a two week wash out period. Measurements and biospecimens were taken at baseline and at weeks 11 and 12 of each phase. Assessment included blood lipids, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood insulin, and anthropometric measures. For each of the outcomes, a mixed model was fitted to compare changes from pre- to post-treatment and between treatments. The models included treatment, time, interaction between treatment and time, phase, visit within phase and enrollment period as fixed effects terms and subjects as random effects terms. RESULTS: Between treatment results from the mixed model analysis show that fermented soy powder intake significantly reduced serum cholesterol (mean change −8.95 mg/dL; P = 0.0024), LDL (mean change −6.96 mg/dL; P = 0.0317), and HDL (−1.29 mg/dL; P = 0.0036) compared with the sprouted brown rice powder. Within treatment results indicated that fermented soy powder significantly reduced total cholesterol (P = 0.0073) and LDL (P = 0.0132), while reductions in HDL were not statistically significant. Within treatment results were not statistically different for the placebo phase except for an increase in HDL (mean change 3.61; P = 0.0026). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that regular intake of fermented soy powder results in a reduction in serum total and LDL cholesterol which may have beneficial implications for the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in adults. FUNDING SOURCES: BESO Biological Research Inc. Diamond Bar, CA, USA.

To investigate the association between plasma concentration of vitamin B12 and B12 intake from supplements, fortified foods, and animal source foods among vegetarians and non-vegetarians, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis among 728 participants of the Adventist Health Study 2 (AHS-2) calibration study. The median age of participants was 58 years, 65.4% were female, and 50.3% were White. We used six 24 h dietary recalls to measure B12 intake, serum vitamin B12, and holotranscobalamin (holoTC) concentration. B12 supplements had a significantly positive association with plasma B12 among all subjects (p trend &lt, 0.001), especially among vegans and lacto-ovo vegetarians (p trend &lt, 0.001). Among non-users of B12 supplements, B12 intake from milk substitutes was significantly positively associated with holoTC (p trend &lt, 0.004) and serum B12 (p trend &lt, 0.030). In non-vegetarians, holoTC was significantly positively associated with B12 intake from eggs, while serum B12 was significantly positively associated with B12 intake from milk in the upper tertile compared to the lower, and B12 intake from meat in the middle compared to the lower tertile intake (p &lt, 0.011). Supplements containing B12 followed by B12 intake from milk substitutes were significant contributors of plasma vitamin B12 concentration.

Background Meat intake is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). It is not clear if egg intake is associated with T2D risk because purported associations may be due to concurrent consumption of eggs with meat. Objective Our aim was to differentiate any associations between meat and egg consumption and the risk of T2D. Design In this longitudinal study, 55,851 participants of the Adventist Health Study 2 who were free of diabetes provided demographic, anthropometric, and dietary data at baseline. Meat and egg intakes were assessed with a validated quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Responses to 2 follow-up questionnaires determined incident T2D cases. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression was used to determine relations between meat and egg intake and incident T2D. Results T2D cases identified during a mean 5.3 y of follow-up totaled 2772. Meat intake of >0 to

Isoflavones have estrogenic properties that may adversely affect pubertal development of boys. We examined if soy isoflavone consumption is associated with age at pubarche (first onset of pubic hair) in a male population with a wide range of soy intake. Boys aged 12–18 years (n = 248) who attended schools around Adventist universities in Southern California and Michigan self-reported their age at pubarche. Intake of soy isoflavones was assessed using a validated Web-based food frequency questionnaire; consumption levels were designated as low, moderate, and high. Descriptives, time-to-event analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression that controlled for confounders were performed. Energy-adjusted mean intakes were 0.8–54.9 mg/d for total isoflavones, 0.4–22.1 mg/d for daidzein, and 0.4–28.0 mg/d for genistein. Moderate and high total soy isoflavone intake were significantly associated with earlier adjusted median age at pubarche: 12.58 years [RR (95% CI): 1.58 (1.06, 2.36)] for moderate and 12.50 years [RR (95% CI): 1.63 (1.03, 2.60)] for high vs. 13.00 years for low consumers. Similarly, daidzein and genistein consumption was also significantly associated with age at pubarche. No significant associations were found for facial hair for any of the isoflavones. Age at pubarche in this male population widely exposed to soy is within the reported range for boys’ pubarcheal age; moderate/high consumers tend to have it earlier compared to low consumers. Further studies are needed to ascertain that substantial exposure to soy isoflavones does not adversely affect pubertal development of boys.

ObjectiveVegetarian diets may be associated with low prevalence of autoimmune disease, as observed in rural sub-Saharan Africans. Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder, is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. We studied prevalence of hyperthyroidism according to dietary pattern in a population with a high proportion of vegetarians.DesignCross-sectional prevalence study. The association between diet and prevalence of hyperthyroidism was examined using multivariate logistic regression analyses controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and salt use.SettingThe Adventist Health Study-2 conducted in the USA and Canada.SubjectsChurch members (n 65 981) provided demographic, dietary, lifestyle and medical history data by questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence of self-reported hyperthyroidism was 0·9 %. Male gender (OR=0·32; 95 % CI 0·26, 0·41) and moderate or high income (OR=0·67; 95 % CI 0·52, 0·88 and OR=0·73; 95 % CI 0·58, 0·91, respectively) protected against hyperthyroidism, while obesity and prevalent CVD were associated with increased risk (OR=1·25; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·54 and OR=1·92; 95 % CI 1·53, 2·42, respectively). Vegan, lacto-ovo and pesco vegetarian diets were associated with lower risk compared with omnivorous diets (OR=0·49; 95 % CI 0·33, OR=0·72, 0·65; 95 % CI 0·53, 0·81 and OR=0·74; 95 % CI 0·56, 1·00, respectively).ConclusionsExclusion of all animal foods was associated with half the prevalence of hyperthyroidism compared with omnivorous diets. Lacto-ovo and pesco vegetarian diets were associated with intermediate protection. Further study of potential mechanisms is warranted.

Protein plays a crucial role in the growth and development of adolescents. However, being a secondary energy source, protein&rsquo, s role in obesity has been sidelined. We examined whether intake of protein (total, animal, plant), branched-chain (BCAAs), and sulfur-containing (SCAAs) amino acids are associated with general body and central obesity and body composition in a cross-sectional study among healthy adolescents. Students aged 12&ndash, 18 years old (n = 601) in schools near two major Adventist universities in California and Michigan provided dietary data via a validated web-based food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and anthropometric data during school visits. Intakes of total, animal, and plant proteins, and BCAAs and SCAAs were derived from FFQ data. We defined general body obesity with body-mass-index-for-age (BMIz) z-scores and central obesity with waist-to-height ratios (WHtR). After full adjustment for covariates, multiple regression analyses showed significant positive associations between intakes of total protein (&beta, = 0.101, 95% CI: 0.041, 0.161), animal protein (&beta, = 0.118, 95% CI: 0.057, 0.178), BCAAs (&beta, = 0.056, 95% CI: 0.025, 0.087), and SCAAs (&beta, = 0.025, 95% CI: 0.012, 0.038) with general body adiposity. Animal protein (&beta, = 0.017, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.033) and SCAAs (&beta, = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.000, 0.008) were also associated with central obesity. Total and animal protein and BCAA and SCAA were also significantly associated with fat mass. Our findings suggest that high protein intake may pose a possible detriment to adolescent health. Longitudinal and safety evaluation studies are recommended.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if consuming walnuts daily for 2 years would improve the omega-3 index in healthy elderly compared to habitual diet without walnuts. METHODS: Design: Secondary analysis of the Walnuts and Healthy Aging (WAHA) study, a 2-year, randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted in Loma Linda University, CA, USA and Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a walnut or a control group. STUDY POPULATION: Included 193 WAHA study subjects from the Loma Linda center only, whose blood samples were collected and analyzed for RBC fatty acids. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: To assess whether the changes of the Omega-3 index from baseline to year 1 and baseline to year 2 are significantly different between the walnut and control groups. Unstructured covariance model best fitted the data and was utilized. Then, repeated measures analyses were conducted to assess the delta change differences based on generalized least squares model. RESULTS: Omega-3 index did not significantly change between baseline and year 1 in either group. The index significantly increased by 1.5% (P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings suggest that consuming walnuts, a rich source of ALA, may not be adequate to improve the omega-3 index compared to a walnut free habitual diet. Background intake of EPA and DHA may have a more pronounced influence on the index and needs to be further explored. FUNDING SOURCES: California Walnut Commission, Folsom, CA.

Diets eliminating animal products have rarely been associated with hypothyroidism but may protect against autoimmune disease. Thus, we investigated whether risk of hypothyroidism was associated with vegetarian compared to omnivorous dietary patterns. The Adventist Health Study-2 was conducted among church members in North America who provided data in a self-administered questionnaire. Hypothyroidism was queried at baseline in 2002 and at follow-up to 2008. Diet was examined as a determinant of prevalent (n = 4237 of 65,981 [6.4%]) and incident cases (1184 of 41,212 [2.9%]) in multivariate logistic regression models, controlled for demographics and salt use. In the prevalence study, in addition to demographic characterstics, overweight and obesity increased the odds (OR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.22-1.42 and 1.78, 95% CI: 1.64-1.93, respectively). Vegan versus omnivorous diets tended to be associated with reduced risk (OR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.78-1.01, not statistically significant) while a lacto-ovo diet was associated with increased risk (OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.18). In the incidence study, female gender, white ethnicity, higher education and BMI were predictors of hypothyroidism. Following a vegan diet tended to be protective (OR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.59-1.03, not statistically significant). In conclusion, a vegan diet tended to be associated with lower, not higher, risk of hypothyroid disease.

A precise measurement has been made utilizing a stacked CR-39 detectors unit for laser-accelerated high intensity protons. The proton beams are derived from a thin polyimide target exposed to an high intense Ti:sapphire laser 8 J energy and 40 fs duration. The sample sets, stacked radiochromic film and CR-39 detectors covered with 13 μm aluminum filter, are irradiated under vacuum condition. By analyzing the etch pits on the last layer of CR-39 which recorded etchable tracks, the energies of each proton in high-energy region are evaluated more precisely than in the past. The residual ranges for each particle in the last layer has been obtained from etch pit growth curves with multi-step etching technique. The maximum energy of proton is 14.39 ± 0.05 MeV. This method allows us to measure the maximum energy of proton precisely, which can obtain high energy resolution with uncertainty Δ E = 0.1 MeV in the laser-driven particle acceleration experiment.

BACKGROUND: Dietary assessment during adolescence is crucial in determining how adolescents’ consumption habits potentially affect current and long-term health. However, assessment methods for adolescents need to be relevant to their emerging technological culture. We developed a web-based food frequency questionnaire (webFFQ) to assess the habitual soy isoflavones and nutrient intake of adolescents. Our purpose was to validate this webFFQ against multiple 1-day photograph-assisted food records (FR). METHODS: Adolescents aged 12–18 years (n = 70) attending middle and high schools completed the webFFQ and provided six 1-day FR. Fifteen participants were excluded due to improbable energy intake. Statistical agreements were determined using Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, Pearson’s bivariate correlations of normalized values with energy-adjustment and correction for attenuation, cross-classification, and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Based on n = 55, the webFFQ had higher intake estimates for all isoflavones and most nutrients compared to the FR. Energy-adjusted and deattenuated correlations were moderately strong for total isoflavones (r = 0.67), daidzein (r = 0.63), genistein (r = 0.64), and glycitein (r = 0.54). They ranged from a high of 0.82 (animal proteins) to a low of 0.11 (vitamin B12) for nutrients. Cross-classification agreement up to within 1 quartile ranged from 99.0 % (vegetable protein) to 61.8 % (vitamin B12) with low gross misclassifications (0.0–12.7 %). Bland-Altman plots for the isoflavones showed consistent overestimation and wide variation but nevertheless good agreement between the two methods. CONCLUSIONS: The webFFQ is relatively valid in ranking adolescents according to their isoflavones and nutrient intake. However, while it significantly overestimates the absolute intake of most nutrients, results are comparable to other food frequency questionnaires developed for adolescents.

*In order to design an active-type personal dosemeter having sufficient sensitivity to high-energy neutrons up to 100 MeV, the characteristic response of several types of silicon (Si) semiconductor detectors has been investigated experimentally and theoretically. At first, the response of each detector has been checked to protons accelerated by a Van de Graff accelerator installed at Kobe University. A fully-depleted Si detector was selected as a promising detector element owing to a simple structure and comprehensive characteristics. In the next step, neutron irradiation experiments were carried out in a monoenergetic reference field in JAEA. On the other hand, theoretical distributions of the deposited energy were estimated in a simplified geometry consisting of Si and PE layers. An agreement in the relative shape was confirmed between the theoretical and experimental results. Applying this calculation procedure to other neutron energies and various thickness of sensitive layer, it was found that the energy dependence could be improved by the two-window technique by setting different discrimination levels on the pulse height. Another important characteristic of the angular dependence was also discussed for practical application of a personal dosemeter for high energy neutrons.

Objective. To identify correlates of perceived pain-related restrictions in a community sample of women with fibromyalgia. Method. The fibromyalgia group was composed of white women with a self-reported, physician-given fibromyalgia diagnosis ( N = 238) from the Biopsychosocial Religion and Health Study (BRHS). BRHS respondents had participated in the larger Adventist Health Study-2. To identify associations with pain-related restrictions, we used hierarchical linear regression. The outcome measure was subjects' pain-related restrictions (one SF-12 version 2 item). Predictors included age, education, body mass index (BMI), sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia treatment in the last year, as well as standardized measures for trauma, major life stress, depression, and hostility. To better interpret the findings, pain-related restrictions also were predicted in women with osteoarthritis and no fibromyalgia. Results. Women with fibromyalgia reporting the more severe pain-related restrictions were those who had experienced trauma accompanied by physical pain, were older, less educated, more depressed, more hostile, had high BMI scores, and had been treated for fibromyalgia in the last 12 months (adjusted R 2 = 0.308). Predictors in women with osteoarthritis were age, BMI, treatment in the last 12 months, experience of a major life stressor, and greater depression symptom severity (adjusted R 2 = 0.192). Conclusions. In both groups, age, BMI, treatment in the last 12 months, and depression predicted pain-related restrictions. Experience of a traumatic event with physical pain was the strongest predictor in the fibromyalgia group. These findings may be useful in constructing novel treatments and prevention strategies for pain-related morbidity in fibromyalgia patients.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between incident self-reported fibromyalgia (FM) and prior somatic diseases, lifestyle factors, and health behaviors among 3,136 women who participated in 2 cohort studies 25 to 26 years apart (the Adventist Health Study 1 and 2). The women completed a comprehensive lifestyle and medical history questionnaire at baseline in 1976. Information on new diagnosis of doctor-told FM was obtained at the second survey in 2002. A total of 136 women reported a diagnosis of FM during 25 years of follow-up, giving a period incidence of 43/1,000 or 1.72/1000 per year. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, a significant, dose-response association was found with number of allergies with OR of 1.61 (95% CI: .92-2.83) and 3.99 (95% CI: 2.31-6.88), (P[trend].0001), respectively, for 1 and 2 or more allergies versus none. A history of hyperemesis gravidarum was also associated with FM with OR of 1.32 (95% CI: .75-2.32) and 1.73 (95% CI: .99-3.03), (P[trend].05), respectively, for some or all pregnancies versus none. A positive association with smoking was also found with OR of 2.37 (95% CI: 1.33-4.23) for ever smokers versus never smokers. No significant association was found with number of surgeries, history of peptic ulcer, or taking medications to control various symptoms.Smoking as well as prevalent allergies, and a history of hyperemesis gravidarum, seem to predict development of FM in women during 25 years of follow-up. This information may help in identifying persons at high risk of developing FM and thus initiate effective prevention strategies.

The authors tested the hypothesis that in adults with prediabetes, an almond-enriched American Diabetes Association (ADA) diet improves measures of insulin sensitivity and other cardiovascular risk factors compared with an ADA nut-free diet.Randomized parallel-group trial.Outpatient dietary counseling and blood analysis.Sixty-five adult participants with prediabetes.Sixteen weeks of dietary modification featuring an ADA diet containing 20% of energy from almonds (approximately 2 oz per day).Outcomes included fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, TC:HDL-C, and HbA1c, which were measured at weeks 0, 8, and 16. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, and nutrient intake were measured at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16.The almond-enriched intervention group exhibited greater reductions in insulin (-1.78 µU/ml vs. +1.47 µU/ml, p = 0.002), homeostasis model analysis for insulin resistance (-0.48 vs. +0.30, p = 0.007), and homeostasis model analysis for beta-cell function (-13.2 vs. +22.3, p = 0.001) compared with the nut-free control group. Clinically significant declines in LDL-C were found in the almond-enriched intervention group (-12.4 mg/dl vs. -0.4 mg/dl) as compared with the nut-free control group. No changes were observed in BMI (-0.4 vs. -0.7 kg/m(2), p = 0.191), systolic blood pressure (-4.4 mm Hg vs. -3.5 mm Hg, p = 0.773), or for the other measured cardiovascular risk factors.An ADA diet consisting of 20% of calories as almonds over a 16-week period is effective in improving markers of insulin sensitivity and yields clinically significant improvements in LDL-C in adults with prediabetes.

The contribution of stress to the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia has been the subject of considerable debate. The primary purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between traumatic and major life stressors and a fibromyalgia diagnosis in a large group of older women and men. Data were from the federally-funded Biopsychosocial Religion and Health Study, and subjects were 10,424 of the 10,988 survey respondents—two-thirds women and one-third men—providing responses to a fibromyalgia question. Average age was 61.0 ± 13.5 years. A physician-given fibromyalgia diagnosis in a subject’s lifetime was reported by 3.7% of the sample, 4.8% of the women and 1.3% of the men. In two multivariable logistic regression models (all respondents and women only, controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education), two traumatic experience types (sexual and physical assault/abuse) were associated with a fibromyalgia diagnosis. Two other trauma types (life-threatening and emotional abuse/neglect) and major life stress experiences were not. The highest odds ratios in both models were those for sexual assault/abuse followed by physical assault/abuse. The relationship between age and fibromyalgia was curvilinear in both models (odds ratios rising until approximately age 63 and declining thereafter). In the all-subjects model, being a woman increased the odds of a fibromyalgia diagnosis, and in both models, fibromyalgia was associated with being White (versus non-White) and lower education. We recommend that researchers investigate the relationship between stress and fibromyalgia in concert with genetic and biomarker studies.

To validate a 204-item quantitative FFQ for measurement of nutrient intake in the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2).Calibration study participants were randomly selected from the AHS-2 cohort by church, and then subject-within-church. Each participant provided two sets of three weighted 24 h dietary recalls and a 204-item FFQ. Race-specific correlation coefficients (r), corrected for attenuation from within-person variation in the recalls, were calculated for selected energy-adjusted macro- and micronutrients.Adult members of the AHS-2 cohort geographically spread throughout the USA and Canada.Calibration study participants included 461 blacks of American and Caribbean origin and 550 whites.Calibration study subjects represented the total cohort very well with respect to demographic variables. Approximately 33 % were males. Whites were older, had higher education and lower BMI compared with blacks. Across fifty-one variables, average deattenuated energy-adjusted validity correlations were 0.60 in whites and 0.52 in blacks. Individual components of protein had validity ranging from 0.40 to 0.68 in blacks and from 0.63 to 0.85 in whites; for total fat and fatty acids, validity ranged from 0.43 to 0.75 in blacks and from 0.46 to 0.77 in whites. Of the eighteen micronutrients assessed, sixteen in blacks and sixteen in whites had deattenuated energy-adjusted correlationsor=0.4, averaging 0.60 and 0.53 in whites and blacks, respectively.With few exceptions validity coefficients were moderate to high for macronutrients, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and fibre. We expect to successfully use these data for measurement error correction in analyses of diet and disease risk.

Poly allyl diglycol carbonate (PADC) plastic has been widely used as one of most sensitive detectors for personal neutron dosimeter. However, a considerably large number of false pits, which are very difficult to be distinguished from etched tracks induced by neutrons, appear even on the surface of non-irradiated PADC plastic. We have developed a new pre-soaking technique where PADC is soaked in a chemical solution before etching process. Owing to this procedure, the number of false background pits could be successfully reduced by one tenth compared with that for non-treated PADC samples. We have also applied this improved type of PADC practically to personal neutron dosimetry, coupled with a polyethylene sheet for fast neutrons in MeV region and a boron nitride sheet for lower energy neutrons. The measured detection efficiency of the dosimeter mounted on the water phantom was compared with results calculated by Monte Carlo simulation using the MCNP4C2 code. It was confirmed that the energy response of the dosimeter evaluated by the sum of etch-pits on two regions would agree well with the energy dependence of the neutron-fluence to personal-dose-equivalent conversion coefficient given by ICRP Publication 74.

PADC (Poly-allyl diglycol carbonate) has been widely used for personal neutron dosimeter. However, false pits are often observed on etched surfaces of non-irradiated PADC plastic, which are very similar to those induced by neutrons and difficult to distinguish under microscopic view. The purpose of this study is to investigate about an effective pre-soaking process for reducing the number of background pits with keeping the neutron sensitivity higher. The optimum pre-soaking condition was determined by a practical index of lower detectable dose (LDD). Under the condition, the response of the neutron dosimeter consisting of PADC plastic nuclear track detector and a polyethylene radiator was also investigated for several different neutron energies. An improvement in its energy dependence was experimentally confirmed.

In order to improve an active type dosemeter for protection dosimetry against high-energy neutrons, characteristic response of an electronic personal dosemeter consisting of Si semiconductor detector covered with polyethylene radiator has been checked in monoenergetic neutron fields of 14.8 and 65 MeV. Pulse height distributions have been measured for several different radiator thicknesses. An analytical estimation of distributions in energy dissipated in depletion layer of Si detector has been carried out under simplified conditions. A good agreement was confirmed between both distributions in the shape and its variation with the radiator thickness and the neutron energy. The energy dependence of the dosemeter response has also been discussed. It is suggested that the energy dependence could be compensated by introducing the two-window technique with different discrimination levels on the pulse height.

A novel technique for designing a radiator suitable for personal neutron dosemeter based on plastic track detector was discussed. A multi-layer structure has been proposed in the previous report, where the thicknesses of plural polyethylene (PE) layers and insensitive ones were determined by iterative calculations of double integral. In order to arrange this procedure and make it more systematic, unfolding calculation has been employed to estimate an ideal radiator containing an arbitrary hydrogen concentration. In the second step, realistic materials replaced it with consideration of minimisation of the layer number and commercial availability. A radiator consisting of three layers of PE, Upilex and Kapton sheets was finally designed, for which a deviation in the energy dependence between 0.1 and 20 MeV could be controlled within 18 %. An applicability of fluorescent nuclear track detector element has also been discussed.

Purpose We sought to evaluate and distinguish roles of sociodemographic predictors for delayed- versus early-stage cervical cancer. Methods Demographic variables for 13,624 cervical cancers having complete data for age at diagnosis (4 categories), race and ethnicity (4 categories), socioeconomic status (SES) quintiles, and marital status (3 categories) were extracted from the California Cancer Registry database for the period 1996 to 2005 and analyzed using multiple logistic regression as predictors of delayed- versus early-stage diagnosis. Results Fifty-eight percent of cervical cancers were among women younger than 50 years, compared with 46% of delayed-stage cases. Independent odds of delayed- versus early-stage cervical cancer were higher for older age categories within each race and ethnic group. Declining odds of delayed- versus early-stage diagnosis were evident for increasing SES quintiles among Asian or other (trend P = .015), non-Hispanic black ( P = .024), Hispanic ( P = .001), and non-Hispanic white ( P = .001) women. Odds of delayed- versus early-stage cervical cancer were highest among unmarried compared with married women. Conclusions Our findings support evidence that older age, low SES, and unmarried status predict delayed-stage cervical cancer diagnosis in each of the four major race and ethic groups. The two lowest SES quintiles independently identified larger percentages of delayed-stage cervical cancers in each of the race and ethnicity groups assessed, particularly among Hispanic and non-Hispanic black women.

Background Early onset of menarche may negatively influence the future health of adolescent girls. Several factors affect the timing of menarche but it is not clear if soy foods consumption around pubertal years plays a role; thus, we examined its relation to age at onset of menarche (AOM) in a high soy-consuming population. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on 339 girls ages 12–18 years attending middle and high schools near two Seventh-day Adventist universities in California and Michigan using a web-based dietary questionnaire and physical development tool. Soy consumption (categorized as total soy, meat alternatives, tofu/traditional soy, and soy beverages) was estimated from the questionnaire, while AOM was self-reported. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, Cox proportional hazards ratios, Kaplan-Meier curves and Poisson regression with adjustment for relevant confounders. Results Mean (SD) intakes were: total soy,12.9 (14.4) servings/week; meat alternatives, 7.0 (8.9) servings/week; tofu/traditional soy foods, 2.1 (3.8) servings/week; soy beverages, 3.8 (6.3) servings/week. Mean AOM was 12.5 (1.4) y for those who reached menarche. Consumption of total soy and the 3 types of soy foods was not significantly associated with AOM and with the odds for early- or late-AOM. Adjustment for demographic and dietary factors did not change the results. Conclusion Soy intake is not associated with AOM in a population of adolescent girls who have a wide range of, and relatively higher, soy intake than the general US population. Our finding suggests that the increasing popularity of soy in the US may not be associated with AOM.

Early onset of menarche impacts the future health of adolescent girls. We examined if soy is related to age at onset of menarche (AOM) in a population with a high and wide range of soy intake. We c...

Objective: To describe the contribution of dietary supplements, fortified foods, whole foods, and nutritional yeast to vitamin B12 intake among participants of the AHS-2 calibration study. Methods:...

The depth dependent track etch rates of two types of CR-39, TASTRAK and BARYOTRAK, for Li-7 ions with incident energies of 4.82, 6.75 and 10.77 MeV have been evaluated from track length measurements. The pit lengths versus the etching time obtained by three different laboratories have the same trend, but did not agree completely. The differences can be attributed to an error margin of less than one decimal point in the etching temperature. Significant deviations were also present for the assessed track etch rates. Most of the deviation was attributed to the derivation step of the growth curves. A sufficient amount of data and reasonably smooth growth curves were required near the Bragg peak in order to make a precise estimation.

Two subjects have been studied for establishing an efficient detection technique applicable to neutrons with an energy higher than 20 MeV , for which personnel dosimetry becomes more important especially in space activities and radiation protection around high-energy accelerators. A performance of a new sensitive detector, recently developed copolymer of CR-39 and N-isopropylacrylamide, was checked in a D–T neutron field. It was confirmed experimentally that its sensitivity was several times as high as a pure CR-39 in the radiator effect and more than twice in the total efficiency. In the other experiment, CR-39 samples were exposed to 65 MeV quasi-monoenergetic neutrons, and the registration characteristics have been investigated from a fundamental point of view. The particles recorded were divided into three groups of proton relatives, α -particles and heavy ions by applying the growth curve method and the multi-step etching technique. The measured fractions were in good agreement with the values calculated by SSNERS code previously developed.