Vitamin D may protect against lung function impairment and decline in smokers

Public release date: 20-Jul-2012
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Contact: Nathaniel Dunford
ndunford@thoracic.org
212-315-8620
American Thoracic Society

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with worse lung function and more rapid decline in lung function over time in smokers, suggesting that vitamin D may have a protective effect against the effects of smoking on lung function, according to a new study from researchers in Boston.

"We examined the relationship between vitamin D deficiency, smoking, lung function, and the rate of lung function decline over a 20 year period in a cohort of 626 adult white men from the Normative Aging Study," said lead author Nancy E. Lange, MD, MPH, of the Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital. "We found that vitamin D sufficiency (defined as serum vitamin D levels of >20 ng/ml) had a protective effect on lung function and the rate of lung function decline in smokers."

The findings were published online ahead of print publication in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

In the study, vitamin D levels were assessed at three different time points between 1984 and 2003, and lung function was assessed concurrently with spirometry.

In vitamin D deficient subjects, for each one unit increase in pack-years of smoking, mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 12 ml lower, compared with a mean reduction of 6.5 ml among subjects who were not vitamin D deficient. In longitudinal models, vitamin D deficiency exacerbated the effect of pack years of smoking on the decline in FEV1 over time.

No significant effect of vitamin D levels on lung function or lung function decline were observed in the overall study cohort, which included both smokers and non-smokers.

"Our results suggest that vitamin D might modify the damaging effects of smoking on lung function," said Dr. Lange. "These effects might be due to vitamin D's anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties."

The study has some limitations, including that the data is observational only and not a trial, that vitamin D levels fluctuate over time, and that the study has limited generalizability due to the cohort being all elderly men.

"If these results can be replicated in other studies, they could be of great public health importance," said Dr. Lange. "Future research should also examine whether vitamin D protects against lung damage from other sources, such as air pollution."

"While these results are intriguing, the health hazards associated with smoking far outweigh any protective effect that vitamin D may have on lung function ," said Alexander C. White MS, MD, chair of the American Thoracic Society's Tobacco Action Committee. "First and foremost, patients who smoke should be fully informed about the health consequences of smoking and in addition be given all possible assistance to help them quit smoking."

###

About the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine:

With an impact factor of 11.080, the AJRRCM is a peer-reviewed journal published by the American Thoracic Society. It aims to publish the most innovative science and the highest quality reviews, practice guidelines and statements in the pulmonary, critical care and sleep-related fields.

Founded in 1905, the American Thoracic Society is the world's leading medical association dedicated to advancing pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. The Society's 15,000 members prevent and fight respiratory disease around the globe through research, education, patient care and advocacy.

---

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 20-Jul-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Nathaniel Dunford
ndunford@thoracic.org
212-315-8620
American Thoracic Society

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with worse lung function and more rapid decline in lung function over time in smokers, suggesting that vitamin D may have a protective effect against the effects of smoking on lung function, according to a new study from researchers in Boston.

"We examined the relationship between vitamin D deficiency, smoking, lung function, and the rate of lung function decline over a 20 year period in a cohort of 626 adult white men from the Normative Aging Study," said lead author Nancy E. Lange, MD, MPH, of the Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital. "We found that vitamin D sufficiency (defined as serum vitamin D levels of >20 ng/ml) had a protective effect on lung function and the rate of lung function decline in smokers."

The findings were published online ahead of print publication in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

In the study, vitamin D levels were assessed at three different time points between 1984 and 2003, and lung function was assessed concurrently with spirometry.

In vitamin D deficient subjects, for each one unit increase in pack-years of smoking, mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 12 ml lower, compared with a mean reduction of 6.5 ml among subjects who were not vitamin D deficient. In longitudinal models, vitamin D deficiency exacerbated the effect of pack years of smoking on the decline in FEV1 over time.

No significant effect of vitamin D levels on lung function or lung function decline were observed in the overall study cohort, which included both smokers and non-smokers.

"Our results suggest that vitamin D might modify the damaging effects of smoking on lung function," said Dr. Lange. "These effects might be due to vitamin D's anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties."

The study has some limitations, including that the data is observational only and not a trial, that vitamin D levels fluctuate over time, and that the study has limited generalizability due to the cohort being all elderly men.

"If these results can be replicated in other studies, they could be of great public health importance," said Dr. Lange. "Future research should also examine whether vitamin D protects against lung damage from other sources, such as air pollution."

"While these results are intriguing, the health hazards associated with smoking far outweigh any protective effect that vitamin D may have on lung function ," said Alexander C. White MS, MD, chair of the American Thoracic Society's Tobacco Action Committee. "First and foremost, patients who smoke should be fully informed about the health consequences of smoking and in addition be given all possible assistance to help them quit smoking."

###

About the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine:

With an impact factor of 11.080, the AJRRCM is a peer-reviewed journal published by the American Thoracic Society. It aims to publish the most innovative science and the highest quality reviews, practice guidelines and statements in the pulmonary, critical care and sleep-related fields.

Founded in 1905, the American Thoracic Society is the world's leading medical association dedicated to advancing pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. The Society's 15,000 members prevent and fight respiratory disease around the globe through research, education, patient care and advocacy.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-07/ats-vdm071712.php

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Spice Up Your Life With These Cooking Tips

Are you a big fan of every kind of food? Are you someone that loves to eat sweet things? Is a little spicy ethnic food enough to put a spring in your step? Have you ever wished you could cook exotic dishes? It is time to stop wondering about doing it and get it done! We will give you some tips to help you to prepare wonderful, home-cooked foods.

When you are baking pastry crusts, try increasing the cooking time a bit. They should not be a pale blond color, they need to be golden brown. This color means that the sugar has caramelized within the pie crust and will have a crunchy and sweet flavor.

If you are trying to lose weight or lower your cholesterol, try to decrease the amount of fat in your diet. For the most part, both butters and oils contain unneeded fats. A great alternative to oils is a nonstick cooking spray. Not only does it provide the same results as cooking with oils, it also contains less unhealthy ingredients.

Mushrooms will absorb the water like a sponge. Instead, you want to wet a clean cloth and use that to wipe the mushroom off.

If you?re experimenting with using different spices, give saffron a try. Saffron gives your food a vibrant taste that is not available with any other spice. Saffron is an ancient herb that has never lost its delight. It is a greatly sought out flavor, making it the priciest spice in the world.

The best way to prepare fresh herbs, like parsley or dill, is to bunch them together and cut them up with scissors. This makes the herbs fluffier and lighter, and not wet like they would be if they were chopped.

You can fix a pie crust. Your pie dough may break or crack if it is overworked. Put a bit of cold water on the cracks, and use a finger to gently repair them. If the cracked part is on top of the crust, then put some milk on a brush and brush the crust, then add a bit of sugar. The sugar will form a gorgeous glaze, and cracks will remain hidden.

Never throw away turkey leftovers. Instead, cut them into smaller pieces, and put in some airtight containers that will go in the freezer. The turkey will stay fresh for quite a few weeks if you follow these tips. It is a great way to ensure you can have sandwiches for weeks to come.

When mashing potatoes use hot, but not boiling milk. Your mashed potatoes should come out fluffy and light. This technique also minimizes lumps. Nobody looks forward to mashed potatoes that are lumpy and bland.

Apples don?t have to be just for fall or winter cooking. With proper storage they can last for months. Apples are extremely perishable. In a warm, dry environment, they will quickly go bad. Store your apples in an airtight container in a cool, preferably humid place. Sort your apples carefully before storing them, as one bad apple will end up spoiling the rest.

When you are cooking, it is important to remember that a fresh ingredient is always better than a frozen or dried ingredient. Fresh ingredients can really enhance the flavor of your meal, as well as be more economical to prepare.

If you would like to start cooking more food on your own, take a trip to a local library or bookstore where you can find many cookbooks with recipes you can enjoy making at home. Try different recipes until you come up with something that works for you.

It?s fun to learn new things by cooking. It?s really as much fun as eating! Other useful hints and techniques are available in cookbooks, magazines and websites to help you continue improving your cooking abilities. Cooking is always a journey and you should never want it to end.

Looking to find the best deal on home popcorn makers, then visit www.waringpropopcornmaker.org to find the best bargains on the Waring Pro Popcorn Maker that is sure to fit your budget.

Source: http://lusciousdesign.net/recipes/spice-up-your-life-with-these-cooking-tips

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Gamers Need to Speak Out Against Sexism

Sexism in the game industry has become a hot topic as of late?and with good reason. The attacks against Anita Sarkeesian?s Kickstarter project and the subsequent death threats towards her defenders and vocal critics of those attacks, have brought the issue of sexism to the fore.?

It?s bad?but what can we do about it? This is the question that?s been on the mind of every person invested in the game industry, or at least every person who?s bothered to take up concern with the issue.?

There have been calls to take up arms against the unwashed masses who threaten the integrity of the game industry?to take a stand against sexism and do battle with those who threaten it with their bigotry and their hate speech.?

I amuse myself at the thought of this ?call to arms? looking like a North Korean propaganda movie made for children, in which a group of children standing in a line?all holding hands?step forward to answer the call and pledge themselves to the cause.?

This call to arms doesn?t need to be based on propaganda, nor should it be a way for getting people to ?step in line? as it were. Instead of pressuring our peers into behaving as we do, we should ask them to think for themselves and to consider their words and actions?and ask them to consider how they affect those around them.?

We as members of the gaming community (or the tech community, or any other geek enthusiast community) have an obligation to step up to our peers and speak out when their actions violate the bounds of civility. It?s our obligation to tell them to sit the hell down and shut the fuck up when they threaten others within or without our communities with rape, violence, or death.?

As members of a larger community, we are obligated to behave in a manner that doesn?t infringe upon the happiness and liberty of others.

The freedom of speech is not a license to behave like a sociopath.

And beyond that, it?s imperative that members of the community understand that actions have consequences, and that?once again?the freedom of speech does not provide an immunity to criticism.?

Source: http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/8067/article/gamers-need-to-speak-out-against-sexism/

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[s46] Sen. Grooms: Clark, Floyd Counties Leading in Jobs, Business ...

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[s46] Sen. Grooms: Clark, Floyd Counties Leading in Jobs, Business Innovation
Start Date:? 7/19/2012 Start Time:? 12:00 AM End Date:? 7/19/2012 Entry Description State Sen. Ron Grooms (R-Jeffersonville) made the following statement today regarding the announcement that health care services company, Connextions, will expand its workforce in Jeffersonville, hiring more than 300 licensed health insurance agents this year. Connextions currently employs 500 at its Jeffersonville facility, and 7,000 nation-wide. STATEHOUSE (July 19, 2012) ? ?This is exactly the type of high-wage, high-skilled work that continues to turn southeast Indiana into one of the most attractive, sought-after regions in the state for businesses to expand or re-locate. ?I applaud Connextions in its efforts to meet the increased demand for health care as more baby boomers become eligible for Medicare. Area Hoosiers who are interested in entering the health-care field will greatly benefit from these new job opportunities. ? ?This impressive jobs announcement comes just days after the Indiana Economic Development Corporation released its list of top 25 ?Companies to Watch,? three of which are located in Clark and Floyd counties. Congratulations also to Windstream Technologies, Inc., Boice Enterprise and Spencer Machine & Tool Co. Inc. for investing in our community and leading the way in innovative job creation. ?Our region surely has a lot to look forward to in the coming months.? Connextions will offer five to six weeks of paid training for new hires through its College of Insurance. No experience is required to enter the company?s trainee program. For more information visit http://www.connextions.com/. -30-	Entry Category: Announcements IN.gov Category: About Indiana Agency Name Senate Republican Caucus

Source: http://www.in.gov/activecalendar/EventList.aspx?view=EventDetails&eventidn=57571&information_id=115616&type=&rss=rss

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Feelings on Uncomplicated Glendale California Auto Repairs ...

In the event you?re making an attempt to get motor insurance coverage the web, you will have to take a look at a small number of organisations in the past you commit onto a coverage. To the online world insurance coverage suppliers can vary within the forms protection supplied, exactely the amount of insurance plan policy coverage, and also which expenses it would price. A single area in insurance which might be notably a variety of with groups is not having issue all-inclusive policy protection. The excellent data is you might world wide web to match motor insurance insurance plan rates correctly from several suppliers to try to look for a single that is is not going to just affordable, but one particular that has all the in-depth deal with you need.

What the heck is Detailed Plan cover?

Specific insurance plan plan has security compared to purely natural disasters comparable to substantial quantities, superior certainly winds, snow storms, a fabulous pine sliding onto your car or suv, for example. You?ll find it qualities break-ins, legal deterioration, moreover get started with. Its equivalent to collision plan while in the the subsequent goes above accidental accidents that triggered by an alternative person. Devoid of thorough coverage protection, you are likely to be to blame for rectifying or most likely fixing your motorized vehicle would be wise to guidelines above which is not blanketed under your regularly insurance. Extensive policy coverage frequently handles your automobile almost its unique excellent market benefit, devoid of the auto insurance plan plan tax deductible. In depth policy go over is just not rightly necessary in all standing, and you simply will choose to ought these kinds of protect if you have car borrowed which includes a provider.

Although it amount in these days almost about your amount, broad exposure provides some critical amazing benefits. The first that pleasure the specific situation illustrates whereas working a truck or suv. It could disasters should preferably practically never happen for you, even so they may well happen to basically someone when. Your motorcar could comfortably each of the sudden become involved in any drinking water surge, gust tempest, hail storm, open fireplace, or alternatively change into aim for getting damage and vandalism. Them will make a variance not even your home and the frequency of which these issues afflict a lot of people with you. Through the use of complete insurance policies protection, you ought to have pleasure irrespective of no matter whether heading about a person?s team, parking your vehicle as a result of the town or perhaps in your personal particular garage, or quite possibly cruising to another nation.

An extra advantage is you are likely to have loads a lot less confusion alongside one another with the automotive insurance coverage coverage because of finish plan protect. Every time a calamity would manifest, it will be likely to see the thorough scheme to validate your car or truck is guarded. With no any wide-ranging deal, your motorcar could arrive to become involved listed below sure situations.

And eventually, well-rounded coverage protection is available by quite a lot of internet based auto insurance coverage businesses over the world wide web with specific fees so you might be capable to get hold of a deal fitting your requirements and funds. When working on a web-based autos insurance policy equivalence, yourrrre equipped to examine specifically what on earth is lined located in every corporation?s accurate give with each other considering the unique amount ranges. You would possibly also match up over-all value for total processes which includes the legal responsibility, smashup, free of to be insured in addition as underinsured autos, well being related obligations, or anything else. Try to find insurance coverage safety ?extras? which can be on hand from pretty much almost every company for instance pulling health insurance policy, everyday rental insurance plan deal with, disaster roadside aid, and also automotive wine glass insurance plan coverage.

Constricts Your quest

Hire a wonderful motor vehicles insurance coverage comparison internet site to overview varied organizations along with their polices and then rates alongside one another with in addition as with out comprehensive insurance plan coverage. Car a list of automobile insurance coverage supplies, name or alternatively e-mail lots of brokers to check out the seller. At the same time, investigate for testimonies belonging to the companies web based and likewise test all around in dialogue boards to observe how a home business expos along with it?s got the likely potential customers. Try to uncover at minimum amount a few which they breath in reality sent in a claim working with the small business not very long back. Whereby you could discover the company are typically highly regarded because of to in fact issues.

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Get started by means of these suggestions to uncover affordable vehicles insurance policies bank loan prices online regarding in depth insurance and every one of the the insurance protection desires!

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Source: http://longlivethedj.com/feelings-on-uncomplicated-glendale-california-auto-repairs-strategies/

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Treasurys nearly unchanged as economic hope rises

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/treasurys-nearly-unchanged-economic-hope-rises-210852953--finance.html

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KANA acquires Ciboodle

KANA Software has acquired the process-based contact centre provider Ciboodle from the Sword Group.

The Ciboodle acquisition adds new complementary product offerings and industry expertise, extending and enhancing the overall KANA value proposition ? particularly around agent desktop, business process and case management in the contact centre, and social CRM communities on the web ? and comes on the heels of KANA?s acquisition of Trinicom, a provider of cloud-based web customer service and customer interaction management, announced April 2012, which expanded the company?s market reach to mid-sized businesses globally via software-as-a-service (SaaS).

?KANA is creating a new global customer service leader that is increasingly the choice for mid-sized and large enterprises alike, serving both the public and private sectors, with solutions available on-premise or in the cloud,? said KANA President and CEO Mark Duffell. ?With the acquisition of Ciboodle, we are bringing together two significant enterprise players in the customer experience management arena with strengths in depth for both the contact centre and for web customer service.?

?The combination of KANA and Ciboodle effectively accelerates each company?s product roadmap by an estimated 12-18 months ? allowing the new company to focus on our customers? more strategic initiatives in emerging disruptive areas such as cloud computing, mobility, and big data analytics that will clearly differentiate KANA in its established markets and help penetrate new ones as well,? said Duffell.

18 Jul 2012 - Filed under Call Centre News , Kana

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Source: http://www.callcentrehelper.com/kana-acquires-contact-center-customer-service-company-ciboodle-30753.htm

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