Solar Radiation Exposure Research Articles

Latitude gradients for lymphoid neoplasm subtypes in Australia support an association with ultraviolet radiation exposure

Given the uncertainty surrounding solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and risk of lymphoid neoplasms, we performed an ecological analysis of national Australian data for incident cases diagnosed between 2002 and 2006. Subtype-specific incidence was examined by latitude band (<29°S, 29-36°S, ≥37°S), a proxy for ambient UVR exposure, using multiple Poisson regression, adjusted for sex, age-group and calendar year. Incidence increased with distance from the equator for several mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.37; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16-1.61 for latitude ≥37°S relative to <29°S], lymphoplasmacytic (IRR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.12-1.61), mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (IRR = 1.32; 95% CI: 0.97-1.80) and mantle cell lymphoma (IRR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.05-1.58), as well as plasmacytoma (IRR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.09-2.11) and plasma cell myeloma (IRR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.03-1.27). A similar pattern was observed for several mature cutaneous T-cell neoplasms, including primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (IRR = 4.26; 95% CI: 1.85-9.84), mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome (IRR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.20-2.46), and peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (NOS) (IRR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.17-2.00). Incidence of mixed cellularity/lymphocyte-depleted (IRR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.16-2.20) and nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma (IRR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.33-1.85) also increased with distance from the equator. Many of these subtypes have a known association with infection or immune dysregulation. Our findings support a possible protective effect of UVR exposure on the risk of several lymphoid neoplasms, possibly through vitamin D-related immune modulation critical in lymphomagenesis.

Randomized controlled trial of oral omega-3 PUFA in solar-simulated radiation-induced suppression of human cutaneous immune responses

Skin cancer is a major public health concern, and the majority of cases are caused by solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, which suppresses skin immunity. Omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs protect against photoimmunosuppression and skin cancer in mice, but the impact in humans is unknown. We hypothesized that EPA-rich n-3 PUFA would abrogate photoimmunosuppression in humans. Therefore, a nutritional study was performed to assess the effect on UVR suppression of cutaneous cell-mediated immunity (CMI) reflected by nickel contact hypersensitivity (CHS). In a double-blind, randomized controlled study, 79 volunteers (nickel-allergic women, 22-60 y old, with phototype I or II) took 5 g n-3 PUFA-containing lipid (70% EPA plus 10% DHA) or a control lipid daily for 3 mo. After supplementation, nickel was applied to 3 skin sites preexposed on 3 consecutive days to 1.9, 3.8, or 7.6 J/cm(2) of solar-simulated radiation (SSR) and to 3 unexposed control sites. Nickel CHS responses were quantified after 72 h and the percentage of immunosuppression by SSR was calculated. Erythrocyte [red blood cell (RBC)] EPA was measured by using gas chromatography. SSR dose-related suppression of the nickel CHS response was observed in both groups. Photoimmunosuppression appeared less in the n-3 PUFA group than in the control group (not statistically significant [mean difference (95% CI): 6.9% (-2.1%, 15.9%)]). The difference was greatest at 3.8 J/cm(2) SSR [mean difference: 11% (95% CI: 0.5%, 21.4%)]. Postsupplementation RBC EPA was 4-fold higher in the n-3 PUFA group than in the control group (mean difference: 2.69% (95% CI: 2.23%, 3.14%), which confirmed the EPA bioavailability. Oral n-3 PUFAs appear to abrogate photoimmunosuppression in human skin, providing additional support for their chemopreventive role; verification of study findings is required. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01032343.

Topographically controlled soil moisture drives plant diversity patterns within grasslands

Grasslands are recognized as biodiversity hotspots in Europe. However, protection and management of these habitats are currently constrained by a limited understanding of what determines local grassland plant diversity patterns. Here, we combined vegetation records (8,639 inventory plots) from 258 semi-natural grasslands with fine-resolution topographic data based on light detection and ranging technology to investigate the importance of topography—particularly topographically controlled soil moisture—for local and regional grassland plant diversity patterns across a 43,000 km2 lowland region (Denmark). Specifically, we examined the relationships between five vegetation measures representing species composition and richness as well as functional composition (Ellenberg indicator values) and four functional topographic factors representing topographic wetness, potential solar radiation, heat balance and wind exposure. Topography emerged as an important determinant of diversity patterns in both wet and dry grasslands throughout the study region, with topographic wetness being the strongest correlate of the main local (within-site) and regional (among-sites) gradients in species composition and species’ average preferences for soil moisture. Accordingly, topography plays an important role in shaping grassland plant diversity patterns both locally and regionally throughout this lowland European region, with this role mainly driven by topographically controlled soil moisture. These findings suggest hydrology to be important to consider in the planning and management of European grasslands.

The relationship between long-term sunlight radiation and cognitive decline in the REGARDS cohort study.

Sunlight may be related to cognitive function through vitamin D metabolism or circadian rhythm regulation. The analysis presented here sought to test whether ground and satellite measures of solar radiation are associated with cognitive decline. The study used a 15-year residential history merged with satellite and ground monitor data to determine sunlight (solar radiation) and air temperature exposure for a cohort of 19,896 cognitively intact black and white participants aged 45+ from the 48 contiguous United States. Exposures of 15, 10, 5, 2, and 1-year were used to predict cognitive status at the most recent assessment in logistic regression models; 1-year insolation and maximum temperatures were chosen as exposure measures. Solar radiation interacted with temperature, age, and gender in its relationships with incident cognitive impairment. After adjustment for covariates, the odds ratio (OR) of cognitive decline for solar radiation exposure below the median vs above the median in the 3rd tertile of maximum temperatures was 1.88 (95% CI: 1.24, 2.85), that in the 2nd tertile was 1.33 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.62), and that in the 1st tertile was 1.22 (95% CI: 0.92, 1.60). We also found that participants under 60years old had an OR = 1.63 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.22), those 60-80years old had an OR = 1.18 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.36), and those over 80years old had an OR = 1.05 (0.80, 1.37). Lastly, we found that males had an OR = 1.43 (95% CI: 1.22, 1.69), and females had an OR = 1.02 (0.87, 1.20). We found that lower levels of solar radiation were associated with increased odds of incident cognitive impairment.

Watershed-scale controls on snow accumulation in a small montane watershed, southwestern Alberta, Canada

Snow accumulation in mountain headwater basins is a major water source, particularly in semi-arid environments such as southern Alberta where water resources are stressed and snowmelt supplies more than 80% of downstream runoff. Relationships between landscape predictor variables and snow water equivalent (SWE) were quantified by combining field and LiDar measurements with classification and regression tree analysis over two winter seasons (2010 and 2011) in a small, montane watershed. 2010 was a below average snow accumulation year, while 2011 was well above normal. In both the field and regression tree data, elevation was the dominant control on snow distribution in both years, although snow distribution was driven by melt processes in 2010 and accumulation processes in 2011. The importance of solar radiation and wind exposure was represented in the regression trees in both years. The regression trees also noted the lower importance of canopy closure, slope, and aspect, which was not observed in the field data. This technique could provide an additional method of forecasting annual water supply from melting snow. However, further research is required to address the lack of data collected above treeline, to provide a full-basin estimate of SWE. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Analysis of Temperature Elevation in the Human Body Models for Simultaneous Exposure of Heat and Solar Radiation

Analysis of Temperature Elevation in the Human Body Models for Simultaneous Exposure of Heat and Solar Radiation

Photocatalytic Degradation of Organics in Municipal Treated Wastewater in a Re-Circulation Reactor

In this paper, an experimental investigation on the effect of parameters namely concentration, solar radiation intensity and exposure time on the photo oxidation of pollutants in secondary treated municipal wastewater has been presented. TiO2 was used as the photo catalyst and the experiments were carried out in the month of February 2012 in Oman. The reactor was a glass tube constructed with the provision of adding a reflector. The results showed that photo catalytic treatment is very effective for dilute solutions and the presence of reflector enhances the photo degradation. The reduction in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) obtained at the experimental conditions of 0.007 m3/hr flow rate, 15° inclination angle and 1 g·L-1 TiO2 dosage was 18%. The presence of the reflector increased the degradation to 25% at the above experimental conditions.

Skin Cancer Knowledge, Beliefs, Self-Efficacy, and Preventative Behaviors among North Mississippi Landscapers

There are slightly over one million workers in the landscape service industry in the US. These workers have potential for high levels of solar ultraviolet radiation exposure, increasing their risk of skin cancer. A cross-sectional sample of 109 landscapers completed a self-administered questionnaire based on Health Belief Model (HBM). The participants correctly answered 67.1% of the knowledge questions, 69.7% believed they were more likely than the average person to get skin cancer, and 87.2% perceived skin cancer as a severe disease. Participants believed that the use of wide-brimmed hats, long sleeved shirts/long pants, and sunscreen was beneficial but reported low usage of these and other sun protective strategies. The primary barriers to using sun protection were “I forget to wear it” and “it is too hot to wear.” Of the HBM variables, perceived benefits outweighing perceived barrier (r = .285, P = .003) and self-efficacy (r = .538, P = .001) were correlated with sun protection behaviors. The reasons for absence of the relationship between perceived skin cancer threat and sun protection behaviors could be lack of skin cancer knowledge and low rate of personal skin cancer history.

Impregnated wooden claddings and the influence of nanoparticles on the weathering performance

This work was an investigation of the effect of nanoparticles on the durability of wood specimens exposed to artificial weathering. TiO2 and clay nanoparticles were mixed with preservative (Wolmanit CX-8) for improving the durability of Norway spruce (Picea abies). Impregnated and untreated specimens were subjected to Atlas Solar Simulator accelerated ageing test chamber for solar radiation and water spray exposure. The effectiveness of the treatment against colour and chemical changes was investigated using CIEL*a*b* colour measurements system and Fourier transform infrared analysis. The present study showed that the wood specimens that had been treated with preservatives containing nanoparticles were slightly more stable against artificial ageing than both untreated specimens and specimens treated with preservative alone.

Abstract B100: Association between ambient ultraviolet radiation and risk of esophageal cancer

Abstract Background and Aims: Ecological studies have suggested an inverse relationship between latitude and risks of some cancers. However, associations between solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and esophageal cancer risk have not been fully explored. We therefore investigated the association between nevi, freckles and measures of ambient UVR over the life-course with risks of esophageal cancers. Methods: We compared estimated lifetime residential ambient UVR among Australian patients with esophageal cancer (330 esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), 386 esophago-gastric junction adenocarcinoma (EGJAC), and 279 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)), and 1471 population controls. We asked people where they had lived at different periods of their life, and assigned ambient UVR to each location based on measurements from NASA's Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer database. Freckling and nevus burden were self-reported. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate the magnitude of associations between phenotype, ambient UVR and esophageal cancer risk. Results: Compared with population controls, patients with EAC and EGJAC were less likely to have high levels of estimated cumulative lifetime ambient UVR (EAC OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35 – 0.99, EGJAC OR 0.55, 0.34 – 0.90). We found no association between UVR and risk of ESCC (OR 0.91, 0.51 – 1.64). The associations were independent of age, sex, BMI, education, state of recruitment, frequency of reflux, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and H.pylori serostatus. Cases with EAC were also significantly less likely to report high levels of nevi than controls. Conclusion: These data show an inverse association between ambient solar UVR at residential locations and risk of EAC and EGJAC, but not ESCC. Citation Format: Bich Tran, Robyn Lucas, Michael Kimlin, David Whiteman, Neale Rachel. Association between ambient ultraviolet radiation and risk of esophageal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B100.

Association Between Ambient Ultraviolet Radiation and Risk of Esophageal Cancer

Ecological studies have suggested an inverse relationship between latitude and risks of some cancers. However, associations between solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and esophageal cancer risk have not been fully explored. We therefore investigated the association between nevi, freckles, and measures of ambient UVR over the life-course with risks of esophageal cancers. We compared estimated lifetime residential ambient UVR among Australian patients with esophageal cancer (330 esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), 386 esophago-gastric junction adenocarcinoma (EGJAC), and 279 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)), and 1471 population controls. We asked people where they had lived at different periods of their life, and assigned ambient UVR to each location based on measurements from NASA's Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer database. Freckling and nevus burden were self-reported. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate the magnitude of associations between phenotype, ambient UVR, and esophageal cancer risk. Compared with population controls, patients with EAC and EGJAC were less likely to have high levels of estimated cumulative lifetime ambient UVR (EAC odds ratio (OR) 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35-0.99, EGJAC OR 0.55, 0.34-0.90). We found no association between UVR and risk of ESCC (OR 0.91, 0.51-1.64). The associations were independent of age, sex, body mass index, education, state of recruitment, frequency of reflux, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and H. pylori serostatus. Cases with EAC were also significantly less likely to report high levels of nevi than controls. These data show an inverse association between ambient solar UVR at residential locations and risk of EAC and EGJAC, but not ESCC.

UV Radiation and Skin Cancer: The Science behind Age Restrictions for Tanning Beds

Every year, millions of people climb in various states of undress into warm, glowing tanning beds, where during a typical 2- to 15-minute session they’ll absorb a controlled dose of ultraviolet (UV) radiation at an intensity up to two to three times stronger than the sunlight striking the equator at noon. The tanning industry has grown rapidly since the 1980s,1 rising to an estimated 28 million users in the United States.2 This rise has been accompanied by an increase in diagnoses of skin cancer. The reasons behind the rising skin cancer diagnoses remain open to debate. Some experts attribute the rise to more frequent skin cancer screening, whereas others blame environmental and behavioral risk factors, particularly changes in UV exposure. In this latter context, UV-emitting tanning beds—classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)3—have come under growing scrutiny. People tan to look healthy, but looks can be deceiving; UV radiation causes all three types of skin cancer. Melanoma, a tumor of the cells that produce the skin pigment melanin, is the rarest but deadliest type, accounting for 75% of skin cancer deaths worldwide.4 According to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program, melanoma incidence among U.S. whites (who develop the disease more often than other races) rose from 8.7 cases per 100,000 people in 1975 to 28 cases per 100,000 in 2009.5 Most of that increase occurred in older men, who rarely tan indoors. But a closer look at the age-stratified SEER data reveals that melanoma rates among white girls and women aged 15–39 rose by 3.6% per year between 1992 and 2006, compared with a 2% increase per year among boys and men of the same ages.6 Although they’re not tracked by SEER, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC)—the other two types of skin cancer—also appear to be on the rise, according to regional studies from the United States and Europe. A recent study by Anne Marie Skellett, a consulting dermatologist at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, reveals that BCC diagnoses among people under age 30 in the United Kingdom jumped 145% between 1981 and 2006.7 Statistics such as these have prompted 33 U.S. states and some municipalities to ban or restrict indoor tanning among children under age 18.8 California’s ban, signed into law in October 2011, was the first,9 followed by Vermont in April 201210 and the city of Chicago the following June.11 Other states have introduced legislation to limit indoor tanning among minors.8 Melanoma in the United States Scanning electron micrograph of a melanoma cell magnified 8,000 times Mary Brady, an associate professor of surgery at Weill Medical College in New York and the author of an editorial on indoor tanning that appeared in the May 2012 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology,12 says the bans make sense. “We legislate against smoking in kids less than 18, and that sends a strong message that there’s something wrong with it,” she says. “We need to send the same message on indoor tanning.” But the bans have drawn a backlash from the tanning bed industry, whose representatives say they’ve been unfairly and incorrectly singled out. John Overstreet, executive director at the Indoor Tanning Association in Washington, DC, describes the evidence linking indoor tanning to skin cancer as speculation and advocacy science reported by the media as fact. He points out that UV light triggers skin cells to produce vitamin D, which may have cancer-protective effects. “It’s frustrating,” he says. “There’s no doubt that repeated overexposure to UV or burning can cause skin problems, but you also have to look at the health benefits, and that issue always gets lost.”

Vitamin D Responsive Elements within the HLA-DRB1 Promoter Region in Sardinian Multiple Sclerosis Associated Alleles

Vitamin D response elements (VDREs) have been found in the promoter region of the MS-associated allele HLA-DRB1*15∶01, suggesting that with low vitamin D availability VDREs are incapable of inducing *15∶01 expression allowing in early life autoreactive T-cells to escape central thymic deletion. The Italian island of Sardinia exhibits a very high frequency of MS and high solar radiation exposure. We test the contribution of VDREs analysing the promoter region of the MS-associated DRB1 *04∶05, *03∶01, *13∶01 and *15∶01 and non-MS-associated *16∶01, *01, *11, *07∶01 alleles in a cohort of Sardinians (44 MS patients and 112 healthy subjects). Sequencing of the DRB1 promoter region revealed a homozygous canonical VDRE in all *15∶01, *16∶01, *11 and in 45/73 *03∶01 and in heterozygous state in 28/73 *03∶01 and all *01 alleles. A new mutated homozygous VDRE was found in all *13∶03, *04∶05 and *07∶01 alleles. Functionality of mutated and canonical VDREs was assessed for its potential to modulate levels of DRB1 gene expression using an in vitro transactivation assay after stimulation with active vitamin D metabolite. Vitamin D failed to increase promoter activity of the *04∶05 and *03∶01 alleles carrying the new mutated VDRE, while the *16∶01 and *03∶01 alleles carrying the canonical VDRE sequence showed significantly increased transcriptional activity. The ability of VDR to bind the mutant VDRE in the DRB1 promoter was evaluated by EMSA. Efficient binding of VDR to the VDRE sequence found in the *16∶01 and in the *15∶01 allele reduced electrophoretic mobility when either an anti-VDR or an anti-RXR monoclonal antibody was added. Conversely, the Sardinian mutated VDRE sample showed very low affinity for the RXR/VDR heterodimer. These data seem to exclude a role of VDREs in the promoter region of the DRB1 gene in susceptibility to MS carried by DRB1* alleles in Sardinian patients.

Solar ultraviolet radiation exposure and human health in South Africa: Finding a balance

In considering the likelihood of South Africa (SA) attaining the 2015 Millennium Development Goals, many health issues require urgent attention. The adverse effect of insufficient or excessive exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) may exacerbate an already stressed public health service. These concerns become important when considering climate variability and patterns of behaviour.

Effects of solar ultraviolet radiation exposure on early ocean survival and fry-to-smolt growth of juvenile salmon

Marine survival rates of many juvenile salmon populations have declined in recent decades. Although several potential causes have been proposed, there has been little conclusive evidence for which factors are responsible or not responsible for these declines. We experimen- tally addressed the hypothesis that exposure of coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch or sockeye salmon O. nerka to solar ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB) during freshwater rearing of fry and parr life-history stages increases mortality at the time of smoltification and ocean entry. Juvenile coho and sockeye salmon were reared in outdoor hatchery tanks either exposed to full spectrum sun- light or shielded from UVB radiation by plastic screens for up to 9 mo prior to release. Smolts were tagged with acoustic transmitters and detected with hydrophone receivers during their downriver and early ocean migration. Survival of treatment groups was compared using Cormack-Jolly- Seber and Burnham mark-recapture models. While exposure to UVB resulted in decreased growth of juvenile coho salmon, survivorship during the early marine period was unaffected by the UVB treatment for both populations. This first attempt to experimentally address the hypo - thesis of impaired survival resulting from solar UVB radiation has shown that other factors are more likely responsible for observed declines in salmon marine survival rates.

Shedding light on plant litter decomposition: advances, implications and new directions in understanding the role of photodegradation

Litter decomposition contributes to one of the largest fluxes of carbon (C) in the terrestrial biosphere and is a primary control on nutrient cycling. The inability of models using climate and litter chemistry to predict decomposition in dry environments has stimulated investigation of non-traditional drivers of decomposition, including photodegradation, the abiotic decomposition of organic matter via exposure to solar radiation. Recent work in this developing field shows that photodegradation may substantially influence terrestrial C fluxes, including abiotic production of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Research has also produced contradictory results regarding controls on photodegradation. Here we summarize the state of knowledge about the role of photodegradation in litter decomposition and C cycling and investigate drivers of photodegradation across experiments using a meta-analysis. Overall, increasing litter exposure to solar radiation increased mass loss by 23% with large variation in photodegradation rates among and within ecosystems. This variation was tied to both litter and environmental characteristics. Photodegradation increased with litter C to nitrogen (N) ratio, but not with lignin content, suggesting that we do not yet fully understand the underlying mechanisms. Photodegradation also increased with factors that increased solar radiation exposure (latitude and litter area to mass ratio) and decreased with mean annual precipitation. The impact of photodegradation on C (and potentially N) cycling fundamentally reshapes our thinking of decomposition as a solely biological process and requires that we define the mechanisms driving photodegradation before we can accurately represent photodegradation in global C and N models.

LIFE experiment: isolation of cryptoendolithic organisms from Antarctic colonized sandstone exposed to space and simulated Mars conditions on the international space station.

Desiccated Antarctic rocks colonized by cryptoendolithic communities were exposed on the International Space Station (ISS) to space and simulated Mars conditions (LiFE-Lichens and Fungi Experiment). After 1.5years in space samples were retrieved, rehydrated and spread on different culture media. Colonies of a green alga and a pink-coloured fungus developed on Malt-Agar medium; they were isolated from a sample exposed to simulated Mars conditions beneath a 0.1% T Suprasil neutral density filter and from a sample exposed to space vacuum without solar radiation exposure, respectively. None of the other flight samples showed any growth after incubation. The two organisms able to grow were identified at genus level by Small SubUnit (SSU) and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) rDNA sequencing as Stichococcus sp. (green alga) and Acarospora sp. (lichenized fungal genus) respectively. The data in the present study provide experimental information on the possibility of eukaryotic life transfer from one planet to another by means of rocks and of survival in Mars environment.

Prospective study of ultraviolet radiation exposure and risk of cancer in the United States

Ecologic studies have reported that solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is associated with cancer; however, little evidence is available from prospective studies. We aimed to assess the association between an objective measure of ambient UVR exposure and risk of total and site-specific cancer in a large, regionally diverse cohort [450,934 white, non-Hispanic subjects (50-71 years) in the prospective National Institutes of Health (NIH)-AARP Diet and Health Study] after accounting for individual-level confounding risk factors. Estimated erythemal UVR exposure from satellite Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data from NASA was linked to the US Census Bureau 2000 census tract (centroid) of baseline residence for each subject. We used Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for multiple potential confounders to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for quartiles of UVR exposure. Restricted cubic splines examined nonlinear relationships. Over 9 years of follow-up, UVR exposure was inversely associated with total cancer risk (N = 75,917; highest versus lowest quartile; HR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.95-0.99; p-trend < 0.001). In site-specific cancer analyses, UVR exposure was associated with increased melanoma risk (highest versus lowest quartile; HR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.13-1.32; p-trend < 0.001) and decreased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (HR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.74-0.92) and colon (HR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.82-0.96), squamous cell lung (HR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.75-0.98), pleural (HR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.38-0.84), prostate (HR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.88-0.95), kidney (HR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.73-0.94) and bladder (HR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.81-0.96) cancers (all p-trend < 0.05). We also found nonlinear associations for some cancer sites, including the thyroid and pancreas. Our results add to mounting evidence for the influential role of UVR exposure on cancer.

Vitamin D deficiency is a predictor of reduced survival in patients with heart failure; vitamin D supplementation improves outcome

Vitamin D deficiency is a highly prevalent, global phenomenon. The prevalence in heart failure (HF) patients and its effect on outcome are less clear. We evaluated vitamin D levels and vitamin D supplementation in patients with HF and its effect on mortality. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were evaluated in HF patients from a health maintenance organization (HMO), and compared them with those of the rest of the members of the HMO. Patients with HF (n = 3009) had a lower median 25(OH)D level compared with the control group (n = 46 825): 36.9 nmol/L (interquartile range 23.2-55.9) vs. 40.7 nmol/L (26.7-56.9), respectively, P < 0.00001. The percentage of patients with vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D <25 nmol/L] was higher in patients with HF compared with the control group (28% vs. 22%, P < 0.00001). Only 8.8% of the HF patients had optimal 25(OH)D levels (≥75 nmol/L). Median clinical follow-up was 518 days. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency was an independent predictor of increased mortality in patients with HF [hazard ratio (HR) 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-1.92, P < 0.001] and in the control group (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.48-2.46, P < 0.00001). Vitamin D supplementation was independently associated with reduced mortality in HF patients (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.54-0.85, P < 0.0001). Parameters associated with vitamin D deficiency in HF patients were decreased previous solar radiation exposure, body mass index, diabetes, female gender, pulse, and decreased calcium and haemoglobin levels. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in HF patients and is a significant predictor of reduced survival. Vitamin D supplementation was associated with improved outcome.

Solar Radiation and Tidal Exposure as Environmental Drivers of Enhalus acoroides Dominated Seagrass Meadows

There is strong evidence of a global long-term decline in seagrass meadows that is widely attributed to anthropogenic activity. Yet in many regions, attributing these changes to actual activities is difficult, as there exists limited understanding of the natural processes that can influence these valuable ecosystem service providers. Being able to separate natural from anthropogenic causes of seagrass change is important for developing strategies that effectively mitigate and manage anthropogenic impacts on seagrass, and promote coastal ecosystems resilient to future environmental change. The present study investigated the influence of environmental and climate related factors on seagrass biomass in a large ≈250 ha meadow in tropical north east Australia. Annual monitoring of the intertidal Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle seagrass meadow over eleven years revealed a declining trend in above-ground biomass (54% significant overall reduction from 2000 to 2010). Partial Least Squares Regression found this reduction to be significantly and negatively correlated with tidal exposure, and significantly and negatively correlated with the amount of solar radiation. This study documents how natural long-term tidal variability can influence long-term seagrass dynamics. Exposure to desiccation, high UV, and daytime temperature regimes are discussed as the likely mechanisms for the action of these factors in causing this decline. The results emphasise the importance of understanding and assessing natural environmentally-driven change when interpreting the results of seagrass monitoring programs.