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Inflammation is associated with a number of chronic conditions, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Reducing inflammation may help prevent or treat these conditions. Diet has consistently been shown to modulate inflammation. To facilitate research into the inflammatory effect of diet on health in humans, we sought to develop and validate an Inflammatory Index designed to assess the inflammatory potential of individuals' diets. An Inflammatory Index was developed based on the results of an extensive literature search. Using data from a longitudinal observational study that carefully measured diet and the inflammatory marker, serum high-sensitivity (hs) C-reactive protein (CRP), in ~600 adults for 1 y, we conducted analyses to test the effect of Inflammatory Index score on hs-CRP as a continuous and dichotomous ([less than or equal to] 3 mg/L, >3 mg/L) indicator of inflammatory response, while controlling for important potential confounders. Results based on continuous measures of hs-CRP suggested that an increasing Inflammatory Index score (representing movement toward an antiinflammatory diet) was associated with a decrease in hs-CRP. Analyses using hs-CRP as a dichotomous variable showed that an antiinflammatory diet was associated with a decrease in the odds of an elevated hs-CRP (P = 0.049). The results are consistent with the ability of the Inflammatory Index to predict hs-CRP and provide additional evidence that diet plays a role in the regulation of inflammation, even after careful control of a wide variety of potential confounders. J. Nutr. 139: 2365-2372, 2009. Manuscript received August 7, 2009. Initial review completed August 27, 2009. Revision accepted October 15, 2009. First published online October 28, 2009; doi: 10.3945/jn.109.114025.

Popular weight-loss plans often have conflicting recommendations, which makes it difficult to determine the most healthful approach to weight loss. Our study compares the dietary quality of popular weight-loss plans. Dietary quality, measured by the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), was calculated via sample menus provided in published media for the New Glucose Revolution, Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach, Zone, Ornish, and 2005 US Department of Agriculture Food Guide Pyramid (2005 Food Guide Pyramid) plans. The criterion for determining which weight-loss plans were the most popular was their status on the New York Times Bestseller list. Weight Watchers and the 2005 Food Guide Pyramid plan were included because they are the largest commercial weight-loss plan, and the current government recommendation, respectively. Analysis of variance was used to compare nutrient information among the weight-loss plans. The AHEI scores adjusted for energy content were also compared. Of a maximum possible score of 70, the AHEI scores for each weight-loss plan from the highest to the lowest plan were: Ornish (score 64.6), Weight Watchers high-carbohydrate (score 57.4), New Glucose Revolution (score 57.2), South Beach/Phase 2 (score 50.7), Zone (score 49.8), 2005 Food Guide Pyramid (score 48.7), Weight Watchers high-protein (score 47.3), Atkins/100-g carbohydrate (score 46), South Beach/Phase 3 (score 45.6), and Atkins/45-g carbohydrate (score 42.3). Dietary quality varied across popular weight-loss plans. Ornish, Weight Watchers high-carbohydrate, and New Glucose Revolution weight-loss plans have an increased capacity for cardiovascular disease prevention when assessed by the AHEI.

Surface-nitrogen removal steps are analyzed in the course of a catalyzed NO+H2 reaction on Pd(110) by angle-resolved mass spectroscopy combined with cross-correlation time-of-flight techniques. The results reveal that hydrogen was a stronger reagent than CO toward No reduction and relatively enhanced the associative process of nitrogen atoms.

An analyses of the angular and velocity distribution of desorbing products N2 and CO2 is presented in the steady-state NO+CO reaction on Pd(110) and Rh(110) by cross-correlation time-of-flight techniques. The inclined desorption was assigned to the decomposition of the intermediate N2O(a)->N2(g)+O(a), and the normally directed component was proposed to be due to the associative desorption of adsorbed nitrogen atoms, 2N(a)->N2(g).

An association between stress and health has been hypothesized. However, the association pathways are unclear. In this article, the authors examined the associations between stress, social support, and cortisol and the mediating effect of several psychosocial variables. Adult men and women (n = 146) completed psychosocial surveys and provided saliva samples for cortisol assessments, quarterly, for 1 year. Cross-sectional analysis results showed an inverse relationship between basal cortisol and stress (Model 1: coefficient = -.068, SE = .024, p = .006). After controlling for stress, the authors also found an inverse relationship between basal cortisol and social support among individuals with high social support (upper tertile compared with 1st and 2nd tertiles) (Model 2: coefficient = -.440, SE = .155, p = .005). Longitudinal models showed similar findings for both associations. These findings do not support the general hypothesis of a negative effect of chronic intermittent stress on health through Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis activation, but do support a positive effect of social support on the HPA axis. Both findings deserve further investigation. Index Terms: cortisol, social support, stress, Many researchers have suggested that psychosocial stress is associated with negative physical and psychosocial consequences. (1-13) However, the mechanisms by which stress may affect a person's physical and psychological well-being [...]