"Pesticide exposure, not obesity alone, can contribute to increased cardiovascular disease risk and inflammation in premenopausal women, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism."
"An analysis conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF) found that the risks of drinking raw (unpasteurized) cow's milk are significant. Consumers are nearly 100 times more likely to get a foodborne illness from drinking raw milk than they are from drinking pasteurized milk."
"Developing Mind at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and colleagues at Columbia University's Center for Children's Environmental Health have found a powerful relationship between prenatal PAH exposure and disturbances in parts of the brain that support information processing and behavioral control."
"A study from last year found that Haemophilus influenzae, a gram-negative bacteria that is responsible for infections, drives the development of COPD when combined with cigarette smoking. Also, exacerbations of COPD occur when provoked by bacterial strains from the environment. In a follow-up study, the authors wanted to further examine if cigarette smoke promotes colonization of lung pathogens in the respiratory tract and if colonization linked to inflammation. As a result of this study, researchers were able to demonstrate that cigarette smoke increased the number of H. influenzae in the upper airways while clean air did not. In addition, the presence of S. pneumoniae was enhanced in the upper respiratory tract of mice exposed to cigarette smoke and accompanied by increased translocation of S. pneumoniae in the lung. The author's determined that cigarette negatively impacts the ability for a "host" to control colonization of the upper respiratory tract that results in increased inflammation and the translocation of bacteria in the lungs. "
"Exposure to swimming pool chemicals may cause asthma in those with allergies. Unfortunately, how indoor swimming effects those with allergies has demonstrated conflicting results. In a new study, the relationship of indoor swimming in children that were sensitized and those that were nonsensitized was examined. In addition to a survey, participants also participated in a 10-allergan skin test. Participants with asthma were considered to be physician-diagnosed for asthma or those that used asthma medication in the prior 12 months. Swimming pool use included those who attended once or more than once in a week. The results of the study showed that asthma was more prevalent in the children using an indoor pool more than once a week. This finding was independent of many variables including sex and parental smoking, etc. Interestingly, there was no association of pool use and wheeze, rhinitis, sensitization, and eczema. The author's concluded there is support for the association of indoor pool use and asthma."
"Nivalonal and Deoxynivalenol are tow mycotoxins that are found in human food and animal feed. According to a new study, these two mycotoxins causes an increased amount of oxidative stress. Much more than is what is normal for cellular metabolism. The researchers found during the study that nivalenol as compared to deoxynivalenol is the stronger pro-oxidant of the two. However, when combined nivalenol increases deoxynivalenol pro-oxidative effects. This is achieved through activation of a number of pathways including NF-KB and the Nrf2. Both of which I have discussed in other blogs. The authors make the comment that the negative effects of mycotoxins combined should be considered during risk assessments."
"The results of a ten-year study demonstrate the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. According to the authors, the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) decreased by 29.3%. This decrease is independent of other variables such as smoking, gender, age, physical activity, etc. In addition, the study found that even patients on statins who had a higher risk of CVD could benefit from the Mediterranean diet intervention. "
