Want More Efficient Muscles? Eat Your Spinach

After taking a small dose of inorganic nitrate for three days, healthy people consume less oxygen while riding an exercise bike. A new study in the February issue of Cell Metabolism traces that improved performance to increased efficiency of the mitochondria that power our cells.

The researchers aren't recommending anyone begin taking inorganic nitrate supplements based on the new findings. Rather, they say that the results may offer one explanation for the well-known health benefits of fruits and vegetables, and leafy green vegetables in particular.

"We're talking about an amount of nitrate equivalent to what is found in two or three red beets or a plate of spinach," said Eddie Weitzberg of the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. "We know that diets rich in fruits and vegetables can help prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes but the active nutrients haven't been clear. This shows inorganic nitrate as a candidate to explain those benefits."

In fact, up until recently nitrate wasn't thought to have any nutritional value at all. It has even been suggested that this component of vegetables might be toxic. But Weitzberg and his colleague Jon Lundberg earlier showed that dietary nitrate feeds into a pathway that produces nitric oxide with the help of friendly bacteria found in our mouths. Nitric oxide has been known for two decades as a physiologically important molecule. It opens up our blood vessels to lower blood pressure, for instance.

The new study offers yet another benefit of nitrate and the nitric oxides that stem from them. It appears that the increased mitochondrial efficiency is owed to lower levels of proteins that normally make the cellular powerhouses leaky. "Mitochondria normally aren't fully efficient," Weitzberg explained. "No machine is."

Questions do remain. The new results show that increased dietary nitrate can have a rather immediate effect. But it's not yet clear what might happen in people who consume higher levels of inorganic nitrate over longer periods of time. Weitzberg says it will be a natural next step to repeat the experiment in people with conditions linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, to see if they too enjoy the benefits of nitrates.

"Among the more consistent findings from nutritional research are the beneficial effects of a high intake of fruit and vegetables in protection against major disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes," the researchers concluded. "However, the underlying mechanism(s) responsible for these effects is still unclear, and trials with single nutrients have generally failed. It is tempting to speculate that boosting of the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway may be one mechanism by which vegetables exert their protective effects."

As an interesting aside, Weitzberg says that the benefits of dietary nitrates suggest that powerful mouthwashes may have a downside. "We need oral bacteria for the first step in nitrate reduction," he says. "You could block the effects of inorganic nitrate if you use a strong mouthwash or spit [instead of swallowing your saliva]. In our view, strong mouthwashes are not good if you want this system to work."

After taking a small dose of inorganic nitrate for three days, healthy people consume less oxygen while riding an exercise bike. A new study in the February issue of Cell Metabolism traces that improved performance to increased efficiency of the mitochondria that power our cells.

The researchers aren't recommending anyone begin taking inorganic nitrate supplements based on the new findings. Rather, they say that the results may offer one explanation for the well-known health benefits of fruits and vegetables, and leafy green vegetables in particular.

"We're talking about an amount of nitrate equivalent to what is found in two or three red beets or a plate of spinach," said Eddie Weitzberg of the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. "We know that diets rich in fruits and vegetables can help prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes but the active nutrients haven't been clear. This shows inorganic nitrate as a candidate to explain those benefits."

In fact, up until recently nitrate wasn't thought to have any nutritional value at all. It has even been suggested that this component of vegetables might be toxic. But Weitzberg and his colleague Jon Lundberg earlier showed that dietary nitrate feeds into a pathway that produces nitric oxide with the help of friendly bacteria found in our mouths. Nitric oxide has been known for two decades as a physiologically important molecule. It opens up our blood vessels to lower blood pressure, for instance.

The new study offers yet another benefit of nitrate and the nitric oxides that stem from them. It appears that the increased mitochondrial efficiency is owed to lower levels of proteins that normally make the cellular powerhouses leaky. "Mitochondria normally aren't fully efficient," Weitzberg explained. "No machine is."

Questions do remain. The new results show that increased dietary nitrate can have a rather immediate effect. But it's not yet clear what might happen in people who consume higher levels of inorganic nitrate over longer periods of time. Weitzberg says it will be a natural next step to repeat the experiment in people with conditions linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, to see if they too enjoy the benefits of nitrates.

"Among the more consistent findings from nutritional research are the beneficial effects of a high intake of fruit and vegetables in protection against major disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes," the researchers concluded. "However, the underlying mechanism(s) responsible for these effects is still unclear, and trials with single nutrients have generally failed. It is tempting to speculate that boosting of the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway may be one mechanism by which vegetables exert their protective effects."

As an interesting aside, Weitzberg says that the benefits of dietary nitrates suggest that powerful mouthwashes may have a downside. "We need oral bacteria for the first step in nitrate reduction," he says. "You could block the effects of inorganic nitrate if you use a strong mouthwash or spit [instead of swallowing your saliva]. In our view, strong mouthwashes are not good if you want this system to work."

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Tennis-mad teen overcomes rare condition that caused spine to curve

TENNIS-mad teenager James Taylor thought he might never be able to play the sport again when a rare painful condition caused his spine to curve.

The 15-year-old, from Edgbaston, faced having metal rods fitted down his back or gruelling spinal fusion surgery when he was diagnosed with Scoliosis.

Athletic James started to suffer from excruciating back pain in June last year and the only NHS treatment was to have a back brace for four years or go under the knife for a high risk major operation.

But that is when mum Alison Taylor, a nursery nurse, discovered there were also new advanced therapy treatments and embarked on the alternative that has now seen James return to the tennis courts.

“Finding out that I had Scoliosis was life changing,” said James, a pupil at Harborne High School.

“Finding out that I had Scoliosis was life changing,” said James, a pupil at Harborne High School.

“I am passionate about tennis and I knew that if I had my spine fused I would never be able to play again. Sitting on the side-lines watching my friends having fun was soul destroying.”

Scoliosis affects just 0.4 per cent of young people and causes the spine to curve. It can eventually crush vital internal organs.

Scoliosis SOS has developed an advanced therapy combined with exercise that manipulates the spine without surgery.

“When my parents told me about the treatment I was ecstatic,” added James, who wants to be a sports therapist. “I love sports so doing exercises to keep my back in good condition and to avoid surgery was not a problem.

“It was amazing to believe that even though my spine was curving, I could prevent it from getting worse by doing a few simple movements. It has given me a new lease of life and I’m looking forward to the summer as I missed out on so many tennis games last year.”

Jo Head, consultant physiotherapist at Scoliosis SOS, said the therapy involves posture re-education, physiotherapy and osteotherapy.

“Hospital consultants are sending more and more patients to us as this is an emerging field,” said Mr Head.

“It is about regaining muscle imbalance in the spine and teaching the brain to stand in line with central alignment. It involves stretches for the spine and avoids surgery.”



Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/02/07/tennis-mad-teen-overcomes-rare-condition-that-caused-spine-to-curve-97319-28124434/#ixzz1DW3MUa9H

TENNIS-mad teenager James Taylor thought he might never be able to play the sport again when a rare painful condition caused his spine to curve.

The 15-year-old, from Edgbaston, faced having metal rods fitted down his back or gruelling spinal fusion surgery when he was diagnosed with Scoliosis.

Athletic James started to suffer from excruciating back pain in June last year and the only NHS treatment was to have a back brace for four years or go under the knife for a high risk major operation.

But that is when mum Alison Taylor, a nursery nurse, discovered there were also new advanced therapy treatments and embarked on the alternative that has now seen James return to the tennis courts.

“Finding out that I had Scoliosis was life changing,” said James, a pupil at Harborne High School.

“Finding out that I had Scoliosis was life changing,” said James, a pupil at Harborne High School.

“I am passionate about tennis and I knew that if I had my spine fused I would never be able to play again. Sitting on the side-lines watching my friends having fun was soul destroying.”

Scoliosis affects just 0.4 per cent of young people and causes the spine to curve. It can eventually crush vital internal organs.

Scoliosis SOS has developed an advanced therapy combined with exercise that manipulates the spine without surgery.

“When my parents told me about the treatment I was ecstatic,” added James, who wants to be a sports therapist. “I love sports so doing exercises to keep my back in good condition and to avoid surgery was not a problem.

“It was amazing to believe that even though my spine was curving, I could prevent it from getting worse by doing a few simple movements. It has given me a new lease of life and I’m looking forward to the summer as I missed out on so many tennis games last year.”

Jo Head, consultant physiotherapist at Scoliosis SOS, said the therapy involves posture re-education, physiotherapy and osteotherapy.

“Hospital consultants are sending more and more patients to us as this is an emerging field,” said Mr Head.

“It is about regaining muscle imbalance in the spine and teaching the brain to stand in line with central alignment. It involves stretches for the spine and avoids surgery.”



Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/02/07/tennis-mad-teen-overcomes-rare-condition-that-caused-spine-to-curve-97319-28124434/#ixzz1DW3MUa9H

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Feline Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Sabattini S, Marconato L, Zoff A et al: Epidermal growth factor receptor expression is predictive of poor prognosis in feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 12: 760, 2010. 

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant skin tumor in cats. The most frequently affected sites include the nasal planum, pinnae (ears), and eyelids. Development of this skin tumor has been associated with chronic sunlight exposure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and assess its prognostic role. Nineteen biopsy samples were tested for EGFR expression using immunohistochemistry. Fourteen of 19 tumors (73.7%) were positive for EGFR. EGFR expression was not found to be linked with tumor differentiation and mitotic activity. The data from the study suggest that activation of the EGFR signaling pathway is possibly involved in the progression of SCC. EGFR expression also carries a negative prognostic significance in these tumors. This could indicate that use of EGFR inhibitors in association with conventional treatment may someday be a treatment option. [VT]

Related articles:

Looper JS, Malarkey DE, Ruslander D et al: Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in feline oral squamous cell carcinomas, Vet Comp Oncol 4: 33, 2006.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Join us on Facebook

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Sabattini S, Marconato L, Zoff A et al: Epidermal growth factor receptor expression is predictive of poor prognosis in feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 12: 760, 2010. 

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant skin tumor in cats. The most frequently affected sites include the nasal planum, pinnae (ears), and eyelids. Development of this skin tumor has been associated with chronic sunlight exposure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and assess its prognostic role. Nineteen biopsy samples were tested for EGFR expression using immunohistochemistry. Fourteen of 19 tumors (73.7%) were positive for EGFR. EGFR expression was not found to be linked with tumor differentiation and mitotic activity. The data from the study suggest that activation of the EGFR signaling pathway is possibly involved in the progression of SCC. EGFR expression also carries a negative prognostic significance in these tumors. This could indicate that use of EGFR inhibitors in association with conventional treatment may someday be a treatment option. [VT]

Related articles:

Looper JS, Malarkey DE, Ruslander D et al: Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in feline oral squamous cell carcinomas, Vet Comp Oncol 4: 33, 2006.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Join us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Read More

Eating Poorly Can Make You Blue: Trans-Fats Increase Risk of Depression, While Olive Oil Helps Avoid Risk

Researchers from the universities of Navarra and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have demonstrated that the ingestion of trans-fats and saturated fats increase the risk of suffering depression, and that olive oil, on the other hand, protects against this mental illness.

They have confirmed this after studying 12,059 SUN Project volunteers over the course of six years; the volunteers had their diet, lifestyle and ailments analyzed at the beginning of the project, over its course and at the end of the project. In this way the researchers confirmed that despite the fact that at the beginning of the study none of the volunteers suffered from depression, at the end of the study 657 new cases had been detected.

Of all these cases, the participants with an elevated consumption of trans-fats (fats present in artificial form in industrially-produced pastries and fast food, and naturally present in certain whole milk products) "presented up to a 48% increase in the risk of depression when they were compared to participants who did not consume these fats," affirmed Almudena Sánchez-Villegas, Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, first author of the article.

In addition, the study demonstrated a dose-response relationship, "whereby the more trans-fats were consumed, the greater the harmful effect they produced in the volunteers," the expert stated.

Furthermore, the team, directed by Miguel Ángel Martínez-González, Professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Navarra, also analyzed the influence of polyunsaturated fats (abundant in fish and vegetable oils) and of olive oil on the occurrence of depression. "In fact, we discovered that this type of healthier fats, together with olive oil, are associated with a lower risk of suffering depression," emphasized the researcher and director of the SUN Project.


150 million persons depressed worldwide


Thus, the results of the study corroborate the hypothesis of a greater incidence of the disease in countries of the north of Europe compared to the countries of the south, where a Mediterranean dietary pattern prevails. Nevertheless, experts have noted that the incidence of the disease has increased in recent years, so that today some 150 million persons are affected worldwide, where it is the principal cause of loss of years of life in those countries with a medium-to-high per capita income.

This due, according to Almudena Sánchez Villegas, "to radical changes in the sources of fats consumed in Western diets, where we have substituted certain types of beneficial fats -- polyunsaturated and monounsaturated in nuts, vegetable oils and fish -- for the saturated and trans-fats found in meats, butter and other products such as mass-produced pastries and fast food."

In addition, the research -- published in the online peer reviewed journal PLoS ONE -- has been performed on a population with a low average intake of trans-fats, given that it made up only 0.4% of the total energy ingested by the volunteers. "Despite this, we observed an increase in the risk of suffering depression of nearly 50%. On this basis," concluded Miguel A. Martínez, "we derive the importance of taking this effect into account in countries like the U.S., where the percentage of energy derived from these foots is around 2.5%."

Finally, the analysis, headed by the University of Navarra and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, suggests that both depression as well as cardiovascular disease are influenced in a similar manner by diet, and might share similar mechanisms in their origin. This hypothesis is further suggested by numerous studies that indicate the harmful effect of trans-fats and saturated fats on the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Researchers from the universities of Navarra and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have demonstrated that the ingestion of trans-fats and saturated fats increase the risk of suffering depression, and that olive oil, on the other hand, protects against this mental illness.

They have confirmed this after studying 12,059 SUN Project volunteers over the course of six years; the volunteers had their diet, lifestyle and ailments analyzed at the beginning of the project, over its course and at the end of the project. In this way the researchers confirmed that despite the fact that at the beginning of the study none of the volunteers suffered from depression, at the end of the study 657 new cases had been detected.

Of all these cases, the participants with an elevated consumption of trans-fats (fats present in artificial form in industrially-produced pastries and fast food, and naturally present in certain whole milk products) "presented up to a 48% increase in the risk of depression when they were compared to participants who did not consume these fats," affirmed Almudena Sánchez-Villegas, Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, first author of the article.

In addition, the study demonstrated a dose-response relationship, "whereby the more trans-fats were consumed, the greater the harmful effect they produced in the volunteers," the expert stated.

Furthermore, the team, directed by Miguel Ángel Martínez-González, Professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Navarra, also analyzed the influence of polyunsaturated fats (abundant in fish and vegetable oils) and of olive oil on the occurrence of depression. "In fact, we discovered that this type of healthier fats, together with olive oil, are associated with a lower risk of suffering depression," emphasized the researcher and director of the SUN Project.


150 million persons depressed worldwide


Thus, the results of the study corroborate the hypothesis of a greater incidence of the disease in countries of the north of Europe compared to the countries of the south, where a Mediterranean dietary pattern prevails. Nevertheless, experts have noted that the incidence of the disease has increased in recent years, so that today some 150 million persons are affected worldwide, where it is the principal cause of loss of years of life in those countries with a medium-to-high per capita income.

This due, according to Almudena Sánchez Villegas, "to radical changes in the sources of fats consumed in Western diets, where we have substituted certain types of beneficial fats -- polyunsaturated and monounsaturated in nuts, vegetable oils and fish -- for the saturated and trans-fats found in meats, butter and other products such as mass-produced pastries and fast food."

In addition, the research -- published in the online peer reviewed journal PLoS ONE -- has been performed on a population with a low average intake of trans-fats, given that it made up only 0.4% of the total energy ingested by the volunteers. "Despite this, we observed an increase in the risk of suffering depression of nearly 50%. On this basis," concluded Miguel A. Martínez, "we derive the importance of taking this effect into account in countries like the U.S., where the percentage of energy derived from these foots is around 2.5%."

Finally, the analysis, headed by the University of Navarra and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, suggests that both depression as well as cardiovascular disease are influenced in a similar manner by diet, and might share similar mechanisms in their origin. This hypothesis is further suggested by numerous studies that indicate the harmful effect of trans-fats and saturated fats on the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Read More

Kidney stones and clogged arteries may be linked

Reuters Health) - Young adults who've had kidney stones may also have an increased risk of clogged arteries, a new study says.

This does not mean that one causes the other, but instead the two conditions might have some common root cause, according to the paper published in the Journal of Urology.

"People who have kidney stones could be sort of the canary in the mine shaft," said Dr. Marshall Stoller, professor of urology at the University of California in San Francisco, and an author on the paper.

Slightly less than four percent of people had kidney stones at some point in the 20 year study. These people had about a 60-percent increased risk of getting clogged arteries later in their lives.

People tend to think of a kidney stone as a urinary problem, "but we need to be cognizant of the fact that the kidney is a blood filter," Stoller said, and can show signs of problems in the arteries as well.

High cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes can all increase the risk of clogged arteries, which can lead to both heart attacks and strokes. These two diseases combined killed more than 589,000 people in 2005, according to the American Heart Association.

That people with kidney stones have an increased risk of clogged arteries is not really a surprise, said Andrew Evan, professor of medicine at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, who was not involved in the study.

Previous studies have linked kidney stones with high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing clogged arteries. But as far as what can lead to clogged arteries, "is it the higher blood pressure, or is it the kidney stones themselves?" Evan said. "We really don't know that."

About 5 percent of adults in the US have had kidney stones, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a slightly higher proportion than in the study.

The study involved more than 5000 young adults between 18 and 30 years old who came back for exams at regular intervals over the next 20 years.

At the 20-year exam, the researchers analyzed the thickness of the wall of participants' carotid arteries. (A thicker-than-normal artery wall is a sign of the arteries getting clogged up.) And that's when they found that people who'd reported having kidney stones were 60 percent more likely to have clogged arteries, compared to people without kidney stones.

A problem with the study is that it included all people with kidney stones together in one group, Evans said. There are a number of different reasons people can get kidney stones such as too having much calcium in the urine, sustained dehydration, or a hereditary disorder. Not all may have an increased risk of clogged arteries, although more research is needed to shed some light on the issue.

In the meantime, you can reduce your risk of getting kidney stones by drinking enough to urinate about two liters a day and by cutting down on salt and meat, Stoller said.

And the American Heart Association advises that to reduce the risk of clogged arteries, people should exercise, eat a healthy diet, and not smoke.

"This is a warning sign," Stoller said. "The kidney stone is the tip of the iceberg."

Reuters Health) - Young adults who've had kidney stones may also have an increased risk of clogged arteries, a new study says.

This does not mean that one causes the other, but instead the two conditions might have some common root cause, according to the paper published in the Journal of Urology.

"People who have kidney stones could be sort of the canary in the mine shaft," said Dr. Marshall Stoller, professor of urology at the University of California in San Francisco, and an author on the paper.

Slightly less than four percent of people had kidney stones at some point in the 20 year study. These people had about a 60-percent increased risk of getting clogged arteries later in their lives.

People tend to think of a kidney stone as a urinary problem, "but we need to be cognizant of the fact that the kidney is a blood filter," Stoller said, and can show signs of problems in the arteries as well.

High cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes can all increase the risk of clogged arteries, which can lead to both heart attacks and strokes. These two diseases combined killed more than 589,000 people in 2005, according to the American Heart Association.

That people with kidney stones have an increased risk of clogged arteries is not really a surprise, said Andrew Evan, professor of medicine at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, who was not involved in the study.

Previous studies have linked kidney stones with high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing clogged arteries. But as far as what can lead to clogged arteries, "is it the higher blood pressure, or is it the kidney stones themselves?" Evan said. "We really don't know that."

About 5 percent of adults in the US have had kidney stones, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a slightly higher proportion than in the study.

The study involved more than 5000 young adults between 18 and 30 years old who came back for exams at regular intervals over the next 20 years.

At the 20-year exam, the researchers analyzed the thickness of the wall of participants' carotid arteries. (A thicker-than-normal artery wall is a sign of the arteries getting clogged up.) And that's when they found that people who'd reported having kidney stones were 60 percent more likely to have clogged arteries, compared to people without kidney stones.

A problem with the study is that it included all people with kidney stones together in one group, Evans said. There are a number of different reasons people can get kidney stones such as too having much calcium in the urine, sustained dehydration, or a hereditary disorder. Not all may have an increased risk of clogged arteries, although more research is needed to shed some light on the issue.

In the meantime, you can reduce your risk of getting kidney stones by drinking enough to urinate about two liters a day and by cutting down on salt and meat, Stoller said.

And the American Heart Association advises that to reduce the risk of clogged arteries, people should exercise, eat a healthy diet, and not smoke.

"This is a warning sign," Stoller said. "The kidney stone is the tip of the iceberg."

Read More

Early Antibiotic Use Can Lead to Increased Risk of Childhood Asthma, Study Suggests

When babies are given antibiotics, their risk of developing asthma by age 6 may increase by 50 percent. This relationship between antibiotic use in babies less than six months old and risk of developing asthma was documented in a study conducted by Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) researcher Kari Risnes.

The research was conducted while Risnes was a visiting researcher at Yale University, and resulted in the recent online publication of the article in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

"Asthma is a very common disease. At the same time, about one-third of infants in our study were treated with antibiotics by the time they were six months old. This proportion is about 30 per cent in other Western countries," says Risnes.

The Yale study followed 1400 children and mothers from the beginning of pregnancy until the children were six years old.

"We found that the risk that children would have asthma as six year olds was 50 per cent higher when they had been given antibiotics as a baby. That is a significant increase," Risnes says.

While previous research has suggested an association between asthma and antibiotics, those studies may have been biased because antibiotics are used to treat respiratory tract infections that could themselves be early symptoms of asthma.

The study sought to eliminate this bias by excluding children who were treated for respiratory infections from the study. The study also considered a long list of other risk factors -- such as whether or not the mother, father or a sibling had asthma. That aspect also brought a surprise, Risnes said.

"We actually found that the relationship between antibiotic use in the first six months of life and asthma was particularly strong in children from families without a history of asthma," said Risnes.

"What we think is that antibiotics interfere with the beneficial bacteria found in the gut. These bacteria aid in helping the baby's immune system to mature. When the bacteria are affected, it can cause the child to have an "immature" immune system, which in turn leads to allergic reactions," says Risnes.

She believes that the results should remind doctors and policymakers of the consequences of overuse of antibiotics. While in Norway, for example, the policy is to limit the prescription of antibiotics "this is an additional reminder to doctors and parents that we should avoid unnecessary use whenever possible," she said.

When babies are given antibiotics, their risk of developing asthma by age 6 may increase by 50 percent. This relationship between antibiotic use in babies less than six months old and risk of developing asthma was documented in a study conducted by Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) researcher Kari Risnes.

The research was conducted while Risnes was a visiting researcher at Yale University, and resulted in the recent online publication of the article in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

"Asthma is a very common disease. At the same time, about one-third of infants in our study were treated with antibiotics by the time they were six months old. This proportion is about 30 per cent in other Western countries," says Risnes.

The Yale study followed 1400 children and mothers from the beginning of pregnancy until the children were six years old.

"We found that the risk that children would have asthma as six year olds was 50 per cent higher when they had been given antibiotics as a baby. That is a significant increase," Risnes says.

While previous research has suggested an association between asthma and antibiotics, those studies may have been biased because antibiotics are used to treat respiratory tract infections that could themselves be early symptoms of asthma.

The study sought to eliminate this bias by excluding children who were treated for respiratory infections from the study. The study also considered a long list of other risk factors -- such as whether or not the mother, father or a sibling had asthma. That aspect also brought a surprise, Risnes said.

"We actually found that the relationship between antibiotic use in the first six months of life and asthma was particularly strong in children from families without a history of asthma," said Risnes.

"What we think is that antibiotics interfere with the beneficial bacteria found in the gut. These bacteria aid in helping the baby's immune system to mature. When the bacteria are affected, it can cause the child to have an "immature" immune system, which in turn leads to allergic reactions," says Risnes.

She believes that the results should remind doctors and policymakers of the consequences of overuse of antibiotics. While in Norway, for example, the policy is to limit the prescription of antibiotics "this is an additional reminder to doctors and parents that we should avoid unnecessary use whenever possible," she said.

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Community Demographics & Shelter Adoptions

Patronek GJ: Use of geospatial neighborhood control locations for epidemiological analysis of community-level pet adoption patterns, Am J Vet Res 71: 1321, 2010. 

This study explored the joint effect of distance and neighborhood-level demographics on pet adoptions from an animal shelter. The methods used to perform the study were client segmentation, geospatial tools, and epidemiological techniques that evaluated locations of 1,563 adoptions from an animal shelter in eastern Massachusetts. Proximity to the shelter was found to be strongly associated with adoption. Locations that were less than 6 miles (9.7 km) from the shelter having higher block group median income, or having a greater proportion of households that were composed of married couples with children in the block group, were associated with increased odds of being an adoption location. Neighborhood lifestyle characteristics were also noted to profoundly influence shelter adoption patterns. This study explored pet adoptions as one aspect of shelter operations. There are other potential applications of this type of technology and analysis for shelter outreach in identifying underserved areas for mobile spay-neuter programs, improvement of allocation of animal control resources, better targeting of media messages about the shelter, along with other possibilities.  [VT]

Related articles:
Patronek GJ: Mapping and measuring disparities in welfare for cats across neighborhoods in a large US city, J Am Vet Med Assoc 71: 161, 2010.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Patronek GJ: Use of geospatial neighborhood control locations for epidemiological analysis of community-level pet adoption patterns, Am J Vet Res 71: 1321, 2010. 

This study explored the joint effect of distance and neighborhood-level demographics on pet adoptions from an animal shelter. The methods used to perform the study were client segmentation, geospatial tools, and epidemiological techniques that evaluated locations of 1,563 adoptions from an animal shelter in eastern Massachusetts. Proximity to the shelter was found to be strongly associated with adoption. Locations that were less than 6 miles (9.7 km) from the shelter having higher block group median income, or having a greater proportion of households that were composed of married couples with children in the block group, were associated with increased odds of being an adoption location. Neighborhood lifestyle characteristics were also noted to profoundly influence shelter adoption patterns. This study explored pet adoptions as one aspect of shelter operations. There are other potential applications of this type of technology and analysis for shelter outreach in identifying underserved areas for mobile spay-neuter programs, improvement of allocation of animal control resources, better targeting of media messages about the shelter, along with other possibilities.  [VT]

Related articles:
Patronek GJ: Mapping and measuring disparities in welfare for cats across neighborhoods in a large US city, J Am Vet Med Assoc 71: 161, 2010.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Read More