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Kids with Type 1 Diabetes Often Overweight

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:00 GMT

Study explores weight problems faced by youngsters with the disease

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Diabetes Type 1, Obesity in Children

C-Section Stress Could Alter Baby's Immune Cells

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:00 GMT

And that might raise odds for diabetes, asthma later on, researchers say

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Cesarean Section, Children&os;s Health, Immune System and Disorders

Drugs May Not Slow Kidney Damage in Diabetes

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:00 GMT

Study uncovers possible benefit, though, in stemming vision loss

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Blood Pressure Medicines, Diabetic Eye Problems, Diabetic Kidney Problems

Maternal Diet Affects Infant's Long-Term Bone Health

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:32 GMT

Women who maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet during pregnancy have children with bigger and stronger bones than women with poorer quality diets, according to the results of a study presented Tuesday at the National Osteoporosis Society Conference in Manchester, UK.

Source: Reuters Health
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Nutrition, Pregnancy

Obesity Rates Continue to Climb in U.S.

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:00 GMT

Eight of 10 states with highest number of obese adults are in the South, report says

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Health Statistics, Obesity, Obesity in Children

TV Ads Trigger Mindless Eating

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:00 GMT

Kids watching food commercials consumed 45 percent more snacks, study shows

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Obesity, Obesity in Children

Obese Get Higher Doses of Radiation for X-Rays

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00 GMT

Cumulative effect of that needs study, experts say

Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Topics: Obesity, Radiation Exposure, X-Rays

Guidance for Industry: Measures to Address the Risk for Contamination by Salmonella Species in Food Containing a Pistachio-Derived Product As An Ingredient; Draft Guidance

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:53 GMT

This draft guidance is intended for manufacturers who use a pistachio-derived product as an ingredient in a food product.

Chromium Picolinate Does Not Improve Key Features of Metabolic Syndrome in Adults

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:36 GMT

About 47 million Americans have some form of metabolic syndromea group of conditions that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and related complications. Metabolic syndrome is often characterized by abdominal obesity, impaired fasting glucose (an increase in glucose levels), elevated blood pressure, and high cholesterol and triglycerides. It is also associated with insulin resistance, a condition in which the body cannot use insulin effectively. Previous studies have suggested that chromium picolinate dietary supplements can help people with type 2 diabetes by improving insulin resistance and increasing the bodys sensitivity to insulin. However, its effects on people with a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, especially those with metabolic syndrome, are largely unknown.

Shedding Light on Fescue Toxicosis

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:22 GMT

New research is shedding light on how endophytic fungus-infected fescue causes fescue toxicosis--a disease that affects grazing animals and costs the U.S. cattle industry an estimated $600 million annually. Click the image for more information about it.

Connecting the Dots for Alkaloids, Toxicosis Symptoms

By Laura McGinnis
June 29, 2009

New research from Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and their university colleagues is shedding light on the relationship between chemical compounds and fescue toxicosis—a disease that affects grazing animals and costs the U.S. cattle industry an estimated $600 million annually.

Fescue toxicosis is a major problem for producers whose herds graze on tall fescue. A major forage grass in many states, tall fescue can cause toxicosis in cattle and other ruminants if it's infected with endophytic fungus. The disease causes lameness and reduced production efficiency, and can even be fatal if infected animals are subjected to stressful situations, such as extreme heat or long-distance transport.

Scientists believe many symptoms of toxicosis are caused by chemical compounds known as ergot alkaloids, but much is still unknown about how they cause clinical signs to develop. Led by ARS animal scientist James Klotz, scientists at the ARS Forage Animal Production Research Unit in Lexington, Ky., and the University of Kentucky are investigating the physiological responses of ruminants to tall fescue alkaloids.

One sign of toxicosis is a narrowing of blood vessels. Using a model that predicts changes in blood flow in the limbs of cattle, Klotz and his colleagues examined the influence of specific alkaloids—both individually and in combination.

Of the three alkaloids tested, ergovaline was the most effective at making the veins contract. The others, N-acetylloline and lysergic acid, had little effect on vein contraction. The results also showed that combining two alkaloids did not increase the toxicity of either—at least in terms of vein contraction.

Further research is underway to determine how these alkaloids influence other tissues, organs and physiological systems. In one study, the scientists showed that ergovaline, but not lysergic acid, can bioaccumulate in vitro, suggesting that ergovaline may be more likely to induce toxicosis.

Research like this is essential for understanding exactly how endophyte-infected tall fescue influences grazing animals. Eventually, this information could help scientists determine which compounds are most toxic and how to protect cattle from them.

These studies were published in the Journal of Animal Science.

ARS is the principal intramural scientific research agency for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Access to Affordable and Nutritious FoodMeasuring and Understanding Food Deserts and Their Consequences: Report to Congress

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:00 GMT

This report fills a request for a study of food desertsareas with limited access to affordable and nutritious foodfrom the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The report summarizes findings of a national-level assessment of the extent and characteristics of food deserts, analysis of the consequences of food deserts, lessons learned from related Federal programs, and a discussion of policy options for alleviating the effects of food deserts. Overall, findings show that a small percentage of consumers are constrained in their ability to access affordable nutritious food because they live far from a supermarket or large grocery store and do not have easy access to transportation.

Researchers Identify Inhibitor that Controls Fungal Pathogen

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:27 GMT

A compound produced by the bacterium Bacillus mojavensis, now identified as Leu7-surfactin, could help protect plants, livestock and poultry from fusarium infection. Click the image for more information about it.

Researchers Identify Inhibitor that Controls Fungal Pathogen

By Sharon Durham
June 24, 2009

A key bacterial compound that inhibits the growth of the plant pathogen Fusarium verticillioides has been identified by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. The compound could help protect plants, livestock and poultry from fusarium infection.

The compound is produced by Bacillus mojavensis strain RRC101. Finding better controls for F. verticillioides is important because fumonisin mycotoxins—especially fumonisin B1—are toxic to livestock and poultry.

Microbiologist and research leader Charles Bacon and his team at the ARS Toxicology and Mycotoxicology Research Unit in Athens, Ga., identified Leu7-surfactin as the inhibiting compound that controls F. verticillioides. The research team includes microbiologist Dorothy Hinton, chemist Maurice Snook and technician Trevor Mitchell. Their study was published in the April 2009 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

B. mojavensis is a plant-residing bacterium that can be used to control fungal diseases in corn and other plants. Though B. mojavensis is known to work as a biocontrol agent, the specific substance responsible for inhibition of Fusarium was not identified until recently.

The Leu7-surfactin was isolated from growing the bacterium in liquid cultures. In lab tests, the compound proved effective in inhibiting growth of the fungus. Surfactin has a detergent-like activity that dissolves the lipid membranes inside the fungus, eventually killing it.

In Bacon's tests, Leu7-surfactin was effective at controlling F. verticillioides at very low concentrations of 20 micrograms per liter of liquid, making it more efficient to use. In addition to its antibiotic effects, surfactin can be used in textile manufacturing, environmental remediation, and fossil fuel recovery. This compound's properties create great potential for biotechnological and biopharmaceutical applications.

Bacon and his colleagues examined all currently available strains of B. mojavensis and found that all of the strains are endophytic—living within the plant—and all were active against F. verticillioides and other fungi in lab tests. The genus Bacillus is known for the production of more than 24 antibiotics, several of which are fungicidal with the potential to control plant diseases.

ARS is the principal intramural scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Nutrition.gov RSS News Feeds

Kids with Type 1 Diabetes Often Overweight

C-Section Stress Could Alter Baby's Immune Cells

Drugs May Not Slow Kidney Damage in Diabetes

Maternal Diet Affects Infant's Long-Term Bone Health

Obesity Rates Continue to Climb in U.S.

TV Ads Trigger Mindless Eating

Obese Get Higher Doses of Radiation for X-Rays

Guidance for Industry: Measures to Address the Risk for Contamination by Salmonella Species in Food Containing a Pistachio-Derived Product As An Ingredient; Draft Guidance

Chromium Picolinate Does Not Improve Key Features of Metabolic Syndrome in Adults

Shedding Light on Fescue Toxicosis

Connecting the Dots for Alkaloids, Toxicosis Symptoms

Access to Affordable and Nutritious FoodMeasuring and Understanding Food Deserts and Their Consequences: Report to Congress

Researchers Identify Inhibitor that Controls Fungal Pathogen

Researchers Identify Inhibitor that Controls Fungal Pathogen

Access to Affordable and Nutritious FoodMeasuring and Understanding Food Deserts and Their Consequences: Report to Congress