A low-carbohydrate dietary pattern characterised by high animal fat and protein during the first trimester is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese women: A prospective cohort study

We aimed to examine the association between low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) scores during the first trimester and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk in a Chinese population. A total of 1455 women were included in 2017. Dietary information during the first trimester was collected by 24-hour dietary recalls for 3 days. The overall, animal and plant LCD scores, which indicated adherence to different low-carbohydrate dietary patterns, were calculated. GDM was diagnosed based on the results of a 75-g, 2-h oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 weeks gestation. Log-binomial models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The results showed that the multivariable-adjusted RRs (95% CIs) of GDM from the lowest to the highest quartiles of the overall LCD score were 1.00 (reference), 1.15 (0.92, 1.42), 1.30 (1.06, 1.60), and 1.24 (1.01, 1.52) (P=0.026 for trend). Multivariable-adjusted RRs (95% CIs) of GDM from the lowest to the highest quartiles of the animal LCD score were 1.00 (reference), 1.20 (0.96, 1.50), 1.41 (1.14, 1.73), and 1.29 (1.04, 1.59) (P=0.002 for trend). After additional adjustment for gestational weight gain before GDM diagnosis, the association of the overall LCD score with GDM risk was non-significant, while the association of animal LCD score with GDM risk remained significant. There was no statistically significant association between the plant LCD score and the risk of GDM. In conclusion, a low-carbohydrate dietary pattern characterised by high animal fat and protein during the first trimester is associated with an increased risk of GDM in Chinese women.

#ChooseAssured this Christmas

Choosing UK farm-assured products is a great way to support high animal health and welfare over the Christmas period, as BVA media officer Charlotte Raynsford explains.

The Numerical Phenetic of Taxonomy Vibrio in Shellfish (Meretrix meretrix) at Edu-Tourism Mangrove Cengkrong Beach Trenggalek

HighlightIdentify the Vibrio bacteriaDiversity of shellfish Vibrio bacteria (Meretrix Meretrix)Relationship similarity of Vibrio bacteria with MVSP 3.1 Program produces DendogramAbstract Meretrix meretrix is one type of shellfish that is potential, and economic value, which high animal protein content as well as seafood that is widely consumed in Indonesia. This study aims to determine the diversity and similarity of Vibrio in M. meretrix at eduwisata mangrove Cengkrong Beach, Trenggalek. Isolation and identification of Vibrio was conducted by using the media TCBSA (Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salt Sucrose Agar) streat plate through morphological observation, physiological and biochemical tests based Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology conducted in the laboratory of Microbiology Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gajah Mada. Data analysis was performed using the MVSP (Multivariate Statistical Package) 3.1 in the form of a dendrogram showing the similarity relationship Vibrio bacteria. The results of the identification of Vibrio bacteria in M. Meretrix are V. herveyi, V. parahemolyticus, V. nereis and V. proteolyticus. V. herveyi has similarities with V. parahemolyticus 66% and 62% with V. proteolyticus while with V. nereis bacterium 54%.

The association of animal and plant protein with successful ageing: a combined analysis of MEDIS and ATTICA epidemiological studies

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the differences between the consumption of plant-based v. animal-based protein-rich diets on successful ageing, as well as to identify the optimal combination of dietary protein intake for facilitating successful ageing in people aged >50 years. Design: A combined analysis was conducted in older adults of the ATTICA and MEDIS population-based cross-sectional studies. Anthropometrical, clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle parameters, dietary habits and level of protein intake were derived through standard procedures. Successful ageing was evaluated using the validated Successful Aging Index (SAI) composed of ten health-related social, lifestyle and clinical characteristics. Setting: Athens area and twenty Greek islands. Participants: A total of 3349 Greek women and men over 50 years old. Results: Participants with high consumption of plant proteins were more likely to be male, physically active, with higher daily energy intake, higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet and higher level of SAI (P < 0·001). Participants with ‘Low animal & High plant’ and ‘High animal & High plant’ protein consumption had a 6 and 7 % higher SAI score, respectively, compared with the other participants (P < 0·001). In contrast, ‘Low animal & Low plant’ and ‘High animal & Low plant’ protein intake was negatively associated with SAI as compared to the combination of all other consumption categories (P < 0·02). Conclusions: The consumption of a plant-based protein-rich diet seems to be a beneficial nutritional choice that should be promoted and encouraged to older people since it may benefit both individual’s health and prolong successful ageing.

Bermudagrass Production in Florida

The improved hybrid bermudagrasses (Cynodon dactylon L.) are used for both hay and grazing. Coastal was the first hybrid bermudagrass developed at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Georgia, and was released in 1943. Several other bermudagrass varieties have been developed since then by both public agencies and private individuals. Hybrid bermudagrasses have been popular for hay production because they are very responsive to nitrogen fertilizer, have high yield potential, and usually dry or cure faster than most other forages that could be used for hay. Bermuda makes good use of animal manures and so has been widely used by the poultry and dairy industries. Overseeding of winter forages has generally been more successful on bermudagrasses than on bahiagrasses. Many research studies have shown high animal weight gains per acre when bermuda is well fertilized. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa200

The Simple Dynamics of 'Animal Spirits'

In the tradition of physiological psychology dating back to Wilhelm Wundt, an adaptation-level approach is taken to the level of economic certainty, as measured by the psychologically sensitive unemployment series. Unemployment levels ‘low’ relative to the adaptation level are shown to promote confidence — high ‘animal spirits’ — while the converse holds for ‘high’ unemployment rates. It is suggested that attempts to smooth the business cycle may become counterproductive (to the extent that such policy can be considered exogenous) if they produce less than ‘optimal’ levels of ‘variety’, construed in this context as alternation of confidence levels.