This important review discusses this key subject of p53 and cancer aetiology. Whibley et al l2009 p53 polymorphisms: cancer implications Nature Reviews Cancer vol 9, 95-107 The normal functioning of p53 is a potent barrier to cancer. Tumour-associated mutations in TP53, typically single nucleotide substitutions in the coding sequence, are a hallmark of most human…
Read moreAlzheimer’s disease yield is associated with an abnormal build-up of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides( 40-42 amino acids length) in the brain. Small, soluble aggregates of A β-A β oligomers – impair memory by disrupting memory-related functions of synaptic junctions between neurons. Lauren et al in Nature show that the prion protein might mediate the pathogenic effects…
Read moreThis a fascinating further insight into the complexities of the atherosclerotic process. How this relates to nutrition I do not know, but the interesting thought is what happens when the essential fatty acids are reduced in the diet. Which is a further aspect of this intriguing process. Secretory phospholipase A, (sPLA,) enzymes hydrolyse the ester…
Read moreThe orange colour used to colour foods comes from the soft flesh of seeds of the annatto tree which grows in tropical America.
Read moreThe UK has plans to build more than 1,000 anaerobic digesters to turn unwanted food and farm waste into energy and fertiliser. Anaerobic digesters break down organic waste naturally into a solid that can be used as fertiliser and a gas that can be burnt to generate heat and electricity. Jane Kennedy, the UK Environment…
Read moreThe role of nutritional supplementation in prevention of onset or progression of ocular disease is of interest A review by Bartlett and Eperiesi looks at those antioxidants most appropriate for inclusion in an ideal ocular nutritional supplement, suitable for those with a family history of glaucoma, cataract, or age-related macular disease, or lifestyle factors predisposing…
Read moreRats are a potent concern to mankind. In Bangladesh which is a very poor country, there is a national campaign to kill rats. It is estimated that rats may eat 10 % of crops and during plagues of rats this increases. Rat reproduction increases 3-4 times when they eat bamboo blossom.(Times Friday 6 2009 p…
Read moreThis is not strictly nutrition, but of peripheral relevance. Road traffic has fallen for the first time in 30 years ( Times Friday 6th January p 6). Largely due to increased fuel costs and the recession. The 34 million vehicles in Britain travelled 3.1 billion fewer miles last year, that is 90 mile less per…
Read moreColoured urine can be a dilemma to diagnose. Beeturia, red urine after eating beetroot is well known and the dark urine of dehydration also. Purple urine has been reported after patient catheterisation. It is commoner in women, alkaline urine , constipation, plastic urinary catheterisation and certain bacteria e.g. E Coli , P mirabilis.This phenomenon can…
Read moreThe Proceedings of the Nutrition Societ, August 2008 has a very informative series of papers on Behavioural nutrition and energy balance in the young. Obesity is increasing, 17 % of US children and adolescents exceed the 95th percentile for BMI(1), and other developed countries are facing similar problems. Childhood obesity has multiple causes, most of…
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